Branch deals

Buying Eagle National Bank would give Stroudsburg, Pa.-based ESSA an entrée into Philly's fast-growing western suburbs.

HomeTrust Bancshares in Asheville, N.C., will close six branches in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati reported a decline in second-quarter profit, as the costs to close branches offset loan growth.

PeoplesSouth Bank in Colquitt, Ga., has agreed to buy Cadence Bancorp's Florida Panhandle branch network.

Bank of Stockton in California has agreed to acquire three California branches of from First Banks in Clayton, Mo, according to The Record in Stockton.

Paring back branch networks is a quick way to cut costs. But executives at large regionals are reluctant to make such cuts until they have found a way to thrive at other delivery channels.

Americas United Bank in Glendale, Calif., has agreed to buy two branches from Banc of California in Irvine.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin in Madison said it expects to save about $5.4 million yearly after it completed an employee buyout, sold a branch, closed six branches and introduced a new branch staffing model.

Dickinson Financial in Kansas City, Mo., has consolidated several of its banks charters to cut costs and improve marketing to military members.

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares in Mattoon plans to sell about $29.3 million in common stock in a private placement.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania in Narberth has agreed to purchase a branch in Delaware County, Pa., from First CornerStone Bank.

City Holding in Charleston, W.Va., has agreed to buy three branches in Kentucky from American Founders Bank in Lexington.

While other banks build fancy modern skyscrapers or look to shrink the size of their branches, Dollar Bank in Pittsburgh has poured its resources into restoring a 144-year-old building downtown. The bank says the building's fame gives it a marketing edge.

F.N.B. in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy five branches from Bank of America in eastern Pennsylvania.

First Bank in Hamilton, N.J., has opened its first office in Pennsylvania.

PNC outpaced all other banks and thrifts in net branch closures last quarter, according to data released by SNL Financial.

Sun Bancorp in Mount Laurel, N.J., swung to a profit thanks to branch closings and other expense reductions.

South State in Columbia, S.C., has agreed to buy 13 Bank of America branches in South Carolina and Georgia.

Citigroup faced many of the same earnings headwinds as other large banks — lower revenue and lending — but still surprised observers with a strong first quarter Thursday. Its North American consumer business was a big reason why.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., reported higher first-quarter profit and assets after it acquired branches and loans from the failed Doral Bank in Puerto Rico.