EMEA

The commercial-and-industrial loan space is overheated, higher rates could stifle mortgage refinancings, and subprime auto delinquencies are on the rise. Bankers could be fighting these fires and more in the new year.

Volkswagen Financial Services has acquired PayByPhone, a Canadian parking payment provider, for an undisclosed amount.

Carrier billing provider Boku says it has expanded its agreement with Microsoft to provide services for the first time in France to all Windows 10 devices on the Orange France network.

Munich-based digital bank technology provider Fidor and Token Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop services enabling banks to control the way they share data with third parties.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., is searching for a new financial chief officer.

Lloyds Banking Group Plc agreed to buy Bank of America Corp.’s MBNA credit-card business in the U.K. for 1.9 billion pounds ($2.4 billion) in cash, marking its first major deal since being rescued by British taxpayers eight years ago.

Ameris Bancorp in Moultrie, Ga., has entered into a consent order with regulators tied to the Bank Secrecy Act.

Just weeks after it shook up its executive ranks and suspended efforts to pursue new customers, the New York-based business lender confirmed Friday that it is eliminating dozens of jobs.

Pacific Metro Bank would cater to Chinese-Americans around Atlanta. The application process is worth watching since the group is seeking the first Georgia charter in seven years and would be based in a market where more than 90 banks have failed since 2007.

Colony Bankcorp in Fitzgerald, Ga., has bought back more of its former Troubled Asset Relief Program shares held by private investors.