Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Hilltop Bank to buy Cheyenne State Bank in Wyoming bank merger

Hilltop Bank to buy Cheyenne State Bank in Wyoming bank merger

Hilltop Bank in Casper, Wyo., has agreed to buy Cheyenne State Bank in Wyoming. The $1 billion-asset Hilltop did not disclose how much it will pay for the $30.2 million-asset Cheyenne State. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to expand our service in Cheyenne through the acquisition of Cheyenne State Bank,” Greg Dixson, Hilltop's president and CEO, said in a

October 28, 2025
Bank-focused tech firms UFS, BankOnIt merge

Bank-focused tech firms UFS, BankOnIt merge

Banking-focused technology firms UFS and BankOnIT have merged. UFS, which specializes in core banking solutions, managed IT services and cybersecurity, and BankOnIt, a cloud infrastructure provider, announced the merger in a press release. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal gives UFS clients access to a broader suite of managed IT services and real-time security solutions, while BankOnIt customers will have more options for digital and payment solutions and advisory services.

October 28, 2025
FirstSun Capital to buy First Foundation in Texas

FirstSun Capital to buy First Foundation in Texas

FirstSun Capital Bancorp in Denver has found a new fixer-upper, agreeing to buy First Foundation in Irving, Texas. The $8.5 billion-asset FirstSun, which was unable to buy HomeStreet last year, said in a press release that it will pay $785 million in stock for the $12.6 billion-asset First Foundation. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, priced First Foundation at 80% of its tangible book value.

October 27, 2025
Park National in Ohio to enter Tennessee with First Citizens deal

Park National in Ohio to enter Tennessee with First Citizens deal

Park National in Newark, Ohio, has agreed to buy First Citizens Bancshares in Dyersburg, Tenn. The $9.9 billion-asset Park said in a press release that it will pay $317.3 million in stock for the $2.6 billion-asset First Citizens. The deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter, priced First Citizens at 168% of its tangible book value. The deal, Park's first in seven years, will serve as its

October 27, 2025
Huntington in Ohio to buy Cadence Bank for $7.4 billion

Huntington in Ohio to buy Cadence Bank for $7.4 billion

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, is already back in the M&A game, agreeing to buy Cadence Bank in Tupelo, Miss. The $210 billion-asset Huntington, which just closed its purchase of Veritex Holdings in Dallas, said in a press release that it will pay $7.4 billion in stock for the $53 billion-asset Cadence. The deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter, priced Cadence at 170% of its tangible

October 27, 2025
Crypto.com is latest digital assets firm to pursue national trust bank charter

Crypto.com is latest digital assets firm to pursue national trust bank charter

Crypto.com is the latest digital assets company to apply for a national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Crypto.com said in a press release that it is pursuing the charter to advance its custody technology and related customer offerings, including custody and staking of assets across blockchains and digital asset protocols. “Building the Crypto.com product and service portfolio through regulated and secure offerings has

October 24, 2025
Evolve Bank in Arkansas fires CEO after arrest

Evolve Bank in Arkansas fires CEO after arrest

Evolve Bank & Trust in West Memphis, Ark., fired CEO Bob Hartheimer after he was arrested on two child pornography-related charges. The bank said in a statement that Mark Mosteller, its president and chief financial officer, and Joelle Weltzin, its general counsel, will oversee operations and strategic direction. They had those roles before Hartheimer was hired in August. "We remain confident in the strength of our leadership, the stability of

October 24, 2025
Paulson Capital buys community banking specialist JWTT

Paulson Capital buys community banking specialist JWTT

Paulson Capital Holding in Portland, Ore., bought JWTT, an investment bank and broker-dealer that specializes in the community banking sector. JWTT has more than $470 million in customer assets. The price wasn't disclosed. "We are pleased to announce the acquisition of JWTT ... and look forward to committing resources to building on the expertise of its principals to expand JWTT's already significant impact in the community banking space," Trent Davis,

October 23, 2025