David B. Skerpon, a senior Commerce Bank official and a leader of volunteer organizations, has resigned to join a bank in South Carolina, according to a written statement from Commerce.

Dear Mr. Berko: My brother tells me that a regular nickel (a 5-cent piece) has 7 cents worth of metal content and that a roll of 40 nickels that costs $2 is worth $2.80 if you melt it down and sell the metals (copper and nickel) on the market.

Here’s a thoughtful holiday gift: an upbeat economic prediction from investment manager Gregory A. Church.

Dear Mr. Berko: Please tell me about Home Depot. I bought it at $51 in 2002, and it can’t seem to get back there.

Dear Mr. Berko: Mom and I have assets worth about $1.5 million, and we are thinking of having a trust for several reasons: in case we get sick and can’t manage our money, to save taxes and to make sure our assets are distributed according to our desires when we die.

Dear Mr. Berko: I have to cash out early.

Dauphin County-based Community Banks Inc. agreed to acquire BUCS Financial Corp., a Maryland bank company.

Nearly 60 percent of lenders predict their loan portfolios will soften in the next 6-12 months, a quarterly survey shows.

Dear Mr. Berko: I know that you like Pfizer because you just put the stock in my sister’s account.

Are you ready for a financial emergency?

Sterling Financial Corp. could have hired a consultant to design the cover of its annual report.

David Trushel did not want to be idle after he retired from his law practice in western Pennsylvania.

New Jersey-based Ryan Beck & Co. Inc. has opened a new branch in Camp Hill.

Mid Penn Bancorp Inc. plans to buy back up to 250,000 shares of its own stock.

C.W. Smith has a new employer and a new mission — all at his old insurance brokerage.