United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has agreed to buy MoneyTree Corp. in Lenoir City, Tenn.

Farmers National Banc Corp. in Canfield, Ohio, has agreed to buy National Bancshares in Orrville, Ohio.

Zions Bancorp. on Monday reported improvement in its net interest margin and noninterest revenue, along with progress in regards to the Volcker Rule and its funding mix. But at Zions, as at other banks, progress was overshadowed by concerns over falling oil prices.

FirstMerit in Akron, Ohio, reported higher quarterly earnings as cost controls compensated for a decline in interest income.

Carroll Bancorp in Sykesville, Md., has raised $5.1 million through a private placement of its common stock.

Liberty Bank & Trust in New Orleans has received regulatory approval to buy First Tuskegee Bank in Alabama, more than a year after the deal was first announced.

South State in Columbia, S.C., reported higher quarterly profits thanks to lower costs and higher fee-based income.

Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Ind., has agreed to buy Mutual Underwriters Insurance in Louisville, Ky.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City reported lower quarterly profit on higher expenses.

Wells Financial in Wells, Minn., has installed an interim leader after the resignation of its chief executive.

SVB Financial Group in Santa Clara, Calif., is planning to issue $350 million in senior debt.

Central Valley Community Bancorp in Fresno, Calif., will soon have a new chief executive.

In a new detailed report, the Federal Reserve laid out four options for upgrading the creaky U.S. payment system. The study raised questions about how far the Fed can, and should, go to bring about change.

Two Pennsylvania banks recently called off a mutual conversion/merger after the FDIC rejected it on policy grounds. The decision – and lack of guidance from the FDIC – could spell trouble for other banks with similar plans.

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has named Michael Brickman as deputy comptroller for special supervision.

Hamilton Bancorp in Towson, Md., has added a banking veteran to its board.

Metro Bancorp in Harrisburg, Pa., which has been under pressure from activist investors to sell itself, reported higher quarterly income largely because of increased real estate lending.

Sun Bancorp in Mount Laurel, N.J., reported a quarterly loss as it continues to shrink its balance sheet.

North Dallas Bank & Trust is in wait-and-see mode after its largest shareholder's death.