Private equity

While the Small Business Investment Companies program has reported disappointing results since its 2015 peak, participating funds are getting more looks from curious bankers.

Independent Bank Group said the firms had become shareholders after it bought Carlile Bancshares last year.

The company could use proceeds from the planned offering to add branches and make bigger loans.

Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have held talks before, and now they have a common shareholder — the U.S. PE firm Cerberus — in a position to broker a deal.

The private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has taken a 3% stake in Deutsche Bank four months after buying a 5% stake in another German lender, Commerzbank.

CircleUp is offering lines of credit to early-stage consumer brands, which can often only get financing at high interest rates.

Arizona, Nevada, Florida and North Carolina have lost more banks than other states, based on the percentage decline since 2010. Each has a unique set of reasons that goes beyond regulation and a dearth of de novo activity.

The New Jersey company added a representative of Blue Harbour Group in Connecticut to its board.

James Lockhart, former director of the FHFA, is replacing Wilbur Ross, who resigned when he became Commerce secretary, on the New Jersey company's board.