Americas

NEW YORK — A Columbia University review of financial statements at merchants like Sony, Target and Home Depot reveals that merchants barely notice the financial hit they take as the result of data breaches.

Community Trust Bank in Ruston, La., has bought four branches in Houston from Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss.

Camden National in Camden, Maine, has agreed to buy SBM Financial in Portland, Maine.

Four Oaks Fincorp has added a pair of directors with close ties to the Four Oaks, N.C., company.

Foundation Bancorp in Bellevue, Wash., has sold $15 million of convertible preferred stock in a private offering.

Village Bank and Trust Financial in Midlothian, Va., has raised nearly $9 million by selling shares to existing investors.

RYE, N.Y. — PepsiCo Employees Federal Credit Union will merge into USAlliance Federal Credit Union, here, effective March 28.

Retailers have been able to get credit card surcharge bans in California and New York thrown out by using an unusual legal argument based on the First Amendment. The wins are significant, but merchants still need to fight through a legal thicket before card surcharges become practical.

First West Virginia Bancorp in Wheeling has removed the interim tag from William Petroplus' title as president and chief executive.

Two investors in Central Pacific Financial are planning to sell 7.6 million shares in the Honolulu company