Financial/Banking

New York City -- The president and CEO of Aaron's Inc. has resigned.

Robert C. Loudermilk, the son of the company's founder, announced his resignation Friday afternoon. In a statement, the appliance and furniture-rental company said Loudermilk was leaving due to health reasons. He also resigned from Aaron's board of directors.

Ronald W. Allen, former chairman and CEO of Delta Air Lines, will serve as Aaron's interim president and CEO.

Northbrook, Ill. -- Pine Tree Silverpeak Retail Partners, a joint venture between Northbrook, Ill.-based Pine Tree Commercial Realty and New York City-based Silverpeak Real Estate Partners, recently teamed up with New York City-based Privet Investments in the acquisition of Hamilton Place Shopping Center in Auburn, Ala.

The partners purchased the grocery-anchored shopping center from an Alabama-based developer, assuming existing financing. Publix anchors the 79,540-sq.-ft. center.

Montvale, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. said Friday that it has secured a $490 million financing package from Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Cos., Mount Kellett Capital Management and investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs.

The combination debt and equity financing, which is subject to court approval, will allow the grocer to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early in 2012.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P will be able to emerge from chapter 11 next year, thanks to an agreement to receive $490 million of debt and equity financing from private investors comprised of The Yucaipa Companies LLC, Mount Kellett Capital Management LP and investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management L.P., the company announced Friday. The agreement is subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Houston -- Cardtronics announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Cardtronics Canada acquired Mr. Cash ATM Network, Lethbridge, Alberta.

The acquisition expands Cardtronics’ international presence into Canada. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's Inc. raised its third-quarter earnings outlook Thursday after total revenue rose because of store expansion.

Total revenue rose 4.7% to $97.1 million in the August-to-October period. Same-store sales fell 3.6%.

The home-decor store said it now expects earnings of 3 cents to 5 cents per share, up from its previous prediction of a quarterly loss.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express said Thursday that its CEO, Michael Weiss, will also take over the role of board chairman, because of the current chairman's involvement in a rival company.

Weiss succeeds Stefan Kaluzny in the chairman's job. Kaluzny joined Express' board when the private equity firm where he worked, Golden Gate Capital, bought Limited Brands in 2007. Kaluzny has since joined another private equity firm, Sycamore Partners, which recently brought a controlling stake in Mast Global Fashions, which is Limited Brands' apparel sourcing division.

Chicago -- A Wednesday report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas said that job cuts announced by U.S. employers increased in October from the same month last year.

According to the report, planned firings rose 13% to 42,759, from 37,986 in October 2010, boosted by job cuts by government agencies and financial companies.