Arkansas

While sellers in urban centers are getting a lot of attention from acquirers, Southern Bancorp in Arkansas shows the upside of pursuing smaller deals in underserved rural markets.

The company agreed to buy the parent of First National Bank of Crossett for about $13 million.

Loan growth and higher yields helped offset a 20% increase in expenses at the Arkansas bank in the first quarter. Meanwhile, it warned of one-time rebranding costs to come in the third quarter.

A Georgia Supreme Court case sheds light on the lengths that the often assailed industry has gone to shape policy outcomes. It also raises the question of whether, in evaluating industry-funded research, it is enough to assess the published study itself, or if it is necessary to dig deeper.

The Arkansas company's earnings fell 52% from a year earlier, reflecting a higher provision, a revaluation of its deferred tax asset and higher costs following a series of bank acquisitions.