EMEA

Modest loan growth, lower expenses and a sharp decrease in problem loans powered United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., to a $16.4 million profit in the second quarter.

The Georgia company is also planning a marketing campaign to promote its brand and expanded technology offerings.

Synovus Financial in Columbus, Ga., reported a rise in quarterly earnings after booking more loans and lowering credit costs.

Regulators on Friday closed Eastside Commercial Bank in Conyers, Ga., the 13th institution to fail this year.

Federal and state authorities on Monday sought to rein in three companies accused of exploiting consumers struggling to pay off their debts.

The case against a Georgia man and two companies he controls involves allegations of collecting debts that consumers did not owe.

HomeStreet (HMST) in Seattle has sold servicing rights to about $3 billion in single-family mortgages to SunTrust Banks (STI) in Atlanta.

United Community Banks (UCBI) in Blairsville, Ga., has acquired Business Carolina, a commercial lender in Columbia, S.C.

State Bank Financial is in no rush to extract costs from Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, preferring instead to take its time in an effort to retain the best employees and clients.

Philip W. Tomlinson, CEO of Total Systems Services (TSYS), will retire on July 31. He will be succeeded by M. Troy Woods, the company's president and COO.