The Bank of London is planning to open a major office in Charlotte, N.C. The bank said in a press release that it will expand its U.S. footprint by opening a global platform and services headquarters that will employ 350 people. The office should open by 2026. The jobs include software development, compliance and risk, technology operations, infrastructure engineering and business operations. The Charlotte area estimated that the effort should boost annual payroll

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., has promoted an insider to become its new director of strategy and corporate development. The $161 billion-asset company said in a press release that Tom Speir will report to David Turner, its chief financial officer. He succeeded Nikki Stephenson, who recently was named head of credit products. Speir will be responsible for Regions’ M&A strategy and oversee the bank’s Small Business Investment Company and strategic equity

Farmers Bank in Parsons, Tenn., has a new investor. The $46.9 million-asset bank said in a press release Monday that it had “formed a new partnership” with Victorian Finance, a mortgage lender based in Pittsburgh. The bank did not disclose any details about the investment. Sonny Bringol Jr., who led the investment, became the bank’s executive chairman. He is also the president and chairman of Victorian Finance.Farmers said it could use the fresh

Horizon Bancorp in Michigan City, Ind., will soon have a new president. The $7.4 billion-asset company said in a press release that Thomas Prame will take on the role, effective Aug. 15. Prame will be tasked with expanding the company’s lending teams, technology, customer relationships and Midwest deposit franchise. Prame “brings extensive strategic leadership and digital technology experience along with a deep understanding of our local markets that will enable Horizon to

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart has agreed to buy Professional Holding in Coral Gables, Fla.The $10.8 billion-asset Seacoast said in a press release Monday that it will pay $488.6 million in stock for the $2.7 billion-asset Professional. The deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter, priced Professional at 216% of its tangible book value.Professional has nine branches, $2.4 billion of deposits and $2 billion of

Amerant Bancorp in Coral Gables, Fla., has absorbed one of its subsidiaries. The $8.2 billion-asset Amerant disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that Amerant Florida Bancorp was merged into the company. Amerant said that all assets of Amerant Florida Bancorp were vested in the company. Amerant also assumed all obligations of Amerant Florida Bancorp, including senior and subordinated notes and trust-preferred securities.

The CEO of Quontic Bank in New York has died. Steven Schnall died in a motorcycle accident on the way back from a biking trip to Canada, several media outlets reported. George Lazaridis, a co-founder of the $872 million-asset bank, was named interim CEO. "For decades, and especially since founding Quontic in 2009, Steve was a charismatic leader who inspired progress, got results, and managed to have fun along the way,”

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has given conditional approval for two proposed banks. The FDIC has signed off on the applications for Bank Irvine in California and GS&L Municipal Bank in Gouverneur, N.Y. – with some final steps requires before the banks open. Organizers of Bank Irvine must raise $25 million. GS&L, a commercial bank proposed by Gouverneur Bancorp, will need $2.5 million of initial capital.  Bank Irvine, which applied with the