Retail & Commercial

Synovus Financial (SNV) in Columbus, Ga., has formed an equipment-finance division. The group will be based in Charleston, S.C., the $26 billion-asset Synovus said Thursday.

Regions Financial (RF) has put its economic-development push in the hands of Jeff Rabren, a former Alabama legislative aide.

Bank of Georgetown hired Jeffrey Satterly to launch a unit that lends to federal contractors. But the shutdown could wreak havoc.

Barclays Plc failed to pay $488 million in fines and disgorgement demanded by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for rigging California electricity prices, the agency said in a court petition seeking to enforce the July order.

First Financial Bancorp in Cincinnati disclosed that its general counsel has resigned.

Bank mergers, failures and charter consolidations are cutting into the exam fees that provide the financial lifeblood for regulators in Idaho, Montana and other states. Their attempts to balance the budget can cause small banks to pay higher fees.

Norwood Financial (NWFL) in Honesdale, Pa., has added to the management team of its bank.

Julie Stackhouse at the St. Louis Fed admits that some regulators who once questioned the role of smaller institutions are now committed to hearing their concerns and making improvements.

As the world accelerates toward faster and contactless payments, the U.S. has been reinforcing checks, avoiding global payments standards and pursuing closed-loop innovations that further isolate it.

Citigroup named Barbara Desoer chief operating officer of its banking subsidiary and said she will "deepen" a male-dominated management bench. Desoer, one of the industry's most prominent women, retired from Bank of America in 2012 after her duties were gradually diminished.