Corporate governance

The Georgia company agreed to pay $84 million for a bank with nine branches and $715 million of assets.

The deal would be Independent's sixth since 2015 and would continue a wave of consolidation among Boston-area banks.

Under the leadership of former Chief Risk Officer John D'Angelo, the new environmental, social and governance office will oversee the bank's sustainability and corporate social responsibility functions.

The Maryland company is closer to addressing claims it lacked sufficient controls under its previous management.

Clarity on credit quality has bankers ready to strike deals after a lengthy pause. A steady rise in stock prices has also given potential buyers the financial wherewithal to pursue acquisitions.

Cal Poly Federal Credit Union's recent merger into SchoolsFirst highlights the difficult choice many small institutions face: diversify your field of membership or risk going out of business.

Burns & McDonnell Credit Union holds just $27 million of assets and is seeking approval to merge into CommunityAmerica, which serves the KC metro region and is the largest credit union in Kansas and Missouri.

The Ohio company has opened just 32 of 120 new branches it plans in the region by 2022, but those offices are making a sizable contribution to growth.

The company plans to shutter five locations, or roughly 12% of its network, next month.

The San Diego company will pay $55 million to Morgan Stanley for a business that has 200 custody relationships, $23 billion of custodial assets and $1.2 billion of deposits.