Branch deals

Subpar mentoring programs for recruits new to the banking industry could be the reason institutions are finding it hard to keep new talent.

Unlike the bargain-heavy aftermath of the crisis, acquisitions during the recovery have been hampered by high premiums and unsatisfactory returns.

SB Financial Group in Defiance, Ohio, has bought a former Fifth Third Bank branch in Bowling Green, Ohio.

For steering the Winston-Salem, N.C., company through an extended period of industry adversity, while providing a blueprint for large-scale M&A, King has been named American Banker's Banker of the Year for 2015.

Atlantic Capital Bancshares in Atlanta has agreed to sell seven branches in Tennessee in two separate deals.

HomeStreet in Seattle has bought a branch in Dayton, Wash., from Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash.

The $30.2 million-asset Citizens, in Hartford, Ky., agreed to pay a 1.77% premium for the branch's average daily balance of assumed deposits for the ten days prior to the closing date.

Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., is selling 23 branches in West Coast states. The bank also plans to sell a total of $1.2 billion in deposits and $821,000 in loans to TriCo Bancshares in Chico, Calif.; Bank of Commerce Holdings in Redding, Calif.; and Cascade Bancorp in Bend, Ore.

Old National is taking advantage of low interest rates by buying more than a dozen branches in solid real estate markets. An expected accounting rule change could encourage more banks to do the same.

Old National said that by owning the branches instead of leasing them, it would have greater control of the properties, classify the branches as assets on its balance sheet and become more efficient.

Ameris Bancorp in Moultrie, Ga., plans to close 10 branches in an effort to save about $5 million a year in operating costs.

Fidelity Bank in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., has agreed to buy a branch from First Citizens BancShares.

Peoples State Bank in Albia, Iowa, has agreed to acquire a branch from Iowa City's MidWestOne Bank.

Banks are closing branches and relying more heavily on technology to serve customers. Concerns that online and mobile banking don't reach all customers could leave banks open to allegations of discrimination.

F.N.B. in Pittsburgh has agreed to acquire 17 branches in the Pittsburgh area from Fifth Third Bancorp.

Western Nebraska Bank in Curtis will buy a branch in Paxton, Neb., from Pony Express Community Bank.

OceanFirst Financial in Toms River, N.J., has agreed to buy a branch office in its hometown from Provident Financial Services.

Even as the number of credit unions shrinks, the number of credit union branches is going up, opposite the trend in bank branching, according to new analysis.

Horicon Bank in Horicon, Wis., has agreed to acquire a branch in Fond du Lac, Wis., from Baraboo National Bank.

Cross County Bank in Wynne, Ark., has agreed to buy three Arkansas branches from SouthBank in Huntsville, Ala.