Fast-growing bank leader BB&T Corp. is leaping into new territory in the Northeast by laying down a big footprint in Chester County and as far eastwardly as New Jersey.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Reserve just gave its stamp of approval to BB&T’s $2.5 billion buyout of the familiar local brand Susquehanna Bancshares, for which 17 of 240 branches serve Chester County.

The cash and stock deal first heralded in November enhances the bank’s presence in West Virginia and Maryland and moves it into Pennsylvania and New Jersey for the first time. It is expected to close Aug. 1. In the meantime, BB&T is on the lookout for more acquisitions.

“We’re optimistic that there will be some other opportunities for BB&T to combine with good institutions,” Chairman and CEO Kelly King said in the article.

Susquehanna holds $19 billion in assets.

Read more about the regulatory news — amid difficulty among other banks to garner approval — and pending transaction in The Wall Street Journal here.