Seeing red

Banks based on the Gulf Coast grew net income 7% in 2014, but not every institution celebrated.

Southern Commerce Bank, for example, suffered through a tough year. Net income fell from the tens of millions to the hundreds of thousands in 12 months, and assets declined nearly 12%.

It's the latest stop on a tough road for the Tampa-based lender. It includes two failed acquisition attempts by outside companies, and nearly five years of federal sanctions that reduced problem loans, yet restricted lending.