Wednesday's Financial Winners & Losers

Ameris Bancorp (ABCB Quote) dipped after the Georgia-based bank announced it was buying Islands Bancorp for $70 million.

In the deal, shareholder of South Carolina-based Islands will receive $22.50 a share, or choose to be paid in a combination of cash and stock. Ameris expects the transaction to close later this year and enhance 2007 earnings. Shares were trading down 14 cents to $26.46.

Dollar Financial ( DLLR Quote) gained after the Berwyn, Pa.-based financial services company raised its fourth-quarter revenue estimate.

The company said it now expects fourth-quarter revenue to tally between $86 million and $87 million. Wall Street analysts were predicting revenue of $83.6 million for the quarter that ended June 30. The company also upped its revenue outlook for fiscal 2007 to between $360 million and $365 million. Shares gained 55 cents, or 3.1%, to $18.43. ...