Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., has promoted several executives, as David Bartlett announced his plans to retire as president and chief banking officer.

Activist investor Joseph Stilwell is demanding that Carroll Bancorp in Sykesville, Md., pick up the pace on stock buybacks.

Regent Bank in Davie, Fla., has promoted Dawn Calder to the newly created position of chief credit officer.

The recapitalization will allow City National Bank to continue as a certified Community Development Financial Institution, the bank said.

Rather than simply considering whether a prospective borrower's business contributes to climate change, banks are slowly turning their attention to making sure borrowers in a variety of industries account for how climate change could affect them.

The North Carolina company had made it clear it would pursue more acquisitions after closing its purchase of the $19 billion-asset Susquehanna Bancshares earlier this year.

First National Bank of Pana in Illinois has agreed to buy The State Bank of Blue Mound in Illinois.

PeoplesBank in Holyoke, Mass., will promote its chief financial officer to lead the bank, as Chief Executive Douglas Bowen plans to retire.

First State Associates in Hawarden, Iowa, has agreed to buy Miner County Bank in Howard, S.D. The banks expect the deal to close later this quarter or early in the fourth quarter.

Leader Bank in Massachusetts developed software to get renters paying their bills online. It solved a hassle for landlords, helping the bank win their business. Now, Leader is preparing to sell the ZRent tool to other banks.

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

The $120 million-asset mutual thrift filed its application with federal regulators this month. Citizens expects the formation to be completed by the first quarter, Chief Executive Tommy Johnson said in an interview.

Cheviot Financial in Cincinnati has elected James Williamson chairman.

Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu has hired Sheh Bertram as chief information officer.

Entegra Financial in Franklin, N.C., has agreed to buy two South Carolina branches from Arthur State Bank in Union, S.C.

Astoria Financial in Lake Success, N.Y., has named a former Citigroup banker a director of business banking.

Foothills Community Bank in Dawsonville, Ga., has named John Lewis interim chief executive.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., has agreed to buy Southcoast Financial in Mount Pleasant, S.C., for $95.5 million in stock.

Banks that sold faulty mortgage-backed securities right before the crisis have suffered a string of legal defeats over the timing of government lawsuits, but some experts believe the industry may still have a shot in the Supreme Court.

Empire National Bank in Islandia, N.Y., has named former Commerce Bank president and chief executive Robert Falese to its board.