BB&T; to buy Republic Bancshares for $436 million
Bank holding company BB&T; Corp. has agreed to buy Republic Bancshares Inc. for $436 million in an effort to expand BB&T;'s presence in Florida.
( Associated Press, 12/02/2003 09:29 PM EST)

BofA adds big Latin presence
Bank reduced loan exposure, then acquired 253 offices in 8 nations in Fleet purchase
Bank of America Corp.'s planned acquisition of FleetBoston Financial Corp. is mostly about new markets in the Northeast, but the deal also gives the Charlotte bank expanded operations in volatile Latin America.
( RICK ROTHACKER, Staff Writer, 11/30/2003 09:53 AM EST)