House OKs new standards for offshore drilling

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Companies that drill for oil in U.S. waters would be required to pay 100% of spill-related damages under a bill approved Friday in the House of Representatives. Written in response to the BP oil spill, the bill removes a $75 million liability cap now in place; requires independent certification of equipment and sets up other new offshore-drilling standards; and …

Home BancShares, Inc. and Centennial Bank Announce Opportunistic Florida Acquisition

CONWAY, Ark. — Centennial Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Home BancShares, Inc. announced today it has acquired the banking operations of Coastal Community Bank headquartered in Panama City Beach, Florida and Bayside Savings Bank headquartered in Port Saint Joe, Florida through loss-sharing agreements with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation .