Capital

Farmers National will pay about $7.8 million in cash and stock for the $43.3 million-asset Monitor in a deal that should close in the second or third quarter.

State Bank of Texas, which bought the failed Seaway Bank in January, is selling nine branches to Self-Help Credit Union.

Pinnacle Financial wanted to be in high-growth markets. BNC Bancorp saw more regulatory burden looming and limited opportunities to sell itself. Those factors spurred what is currently the year's second-biggest bank deal.

The mutual's conversion could bring in up to $22.5 million in proceeds.

Investar will pay $46 million in cash for Citizens, which has three branches and $246 million in assets.

The New York bank will double in size while gaining greater access to Long Island and low-cost deposits that should come in handy as interest rates rise.

Premier Asset Management will add $550 million of assets under management to a platform that First Midwest has historically built with organic growth.

The agreement comes three months after Astoria and New York Community Bancorp called off plans to merge.

A strong economy, an abundance of small businesses and a shakeout from industry consolidation are making the area between Los Angeles and San Diego appealing to bank organizers.

The Denver bank had spent the last two-plus years addressing concerns about capital and underwriting procedures.