Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Organizers apply to form Augustus National Bank in Dallas

Organizers apply to form Augustus National Bank in Dallas

A group in Dallas has applied to open a bank. Organizers of the proposed Augustus National Bank have applied to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The application wasn't immediately available. The public notice filed in connection with the application listed six organizers. Three members of the group — Julius Ahr , Ferdinand Dabitz and Simon Wimmer — are based in Germany.

December 23, 2025
Stablecoin-focused fintech Coinbax raises $4.2M in seed funding

Stablecoin-focused fintech Coinbax raises $4.2M in seed funding

Coinbax has raised $4.2 million in seed funding. The stablecoin-focused payments fintech announced that the round was led by BankTech Ventures, with participation from Connecticut Innovations, Paxos, SpringTime Ventures, and other banking and payments industry leaders. The capital will support engineering development, infrastructure integrations and design partner onboarding. “Within the next three years, every bank account will have a wallet. Stablecoins and tokenized deposits will become part of every bank’s core

December 23, 2025
Overbrook Bankshares to buy Norcon Financial in Kansas

Overbrook Bankshares to buy Norcon Financial in Kansas

Overbrook Bankshares in Overbrook, Kan., has agreed to buy Norcon Financial in Conway Springs, Kan. Overbrook, the parent of the $100 million-asset First Security Bank, said in a press release that it plans to buy the holding company for the $125 million-asset Conway Bank in the first half of next year. The price wasn't disclosed. "The team at Conway Bank has done an excellent job building relationships with their clients

December 23, 2025
Platte Valley Financial to buy Potter State Bank in Nebraska

Platte Valley Financial to buy Potter State Bank in Nebraska

Platte Valley Financial Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., has agreed to buy Potter State Bank in Potter, Neb. The parent of the $1.1 billion-asset Platte Valley Bank expects to purchase all deposits and loans held by the $47.2 million-asset Potter State in the first quarter, according to an announcement by Olsen Palmer, which represented the seller. The price wasn't disclosed.

December 22, 2025
Bethany Bankshares to buy Latham Bancshares in Missouri

Bethany Bankshares to buy Latham Bancshares in Missouri

Bethany Bankshares in Bethany, Mo., has agreed to buy Latham Bancshares in Latham, Mo. The parent of the $1.5 billion-asset BTC Bank expects to buy the holding company for the $190.1 million-asset Tipton Latham Bank in the second quarter, according to an announcement by Olsen Palmer, which represented the seller. The price wasn't disclosed.

December 22, 2025
ICBA CRA Solutions removes ‘interim’ from CEO’s title

ICBA CRA Solutions removes ‘interim’ from CEO’s title

ICBA CRA Solutions/USI Alliance has a new leader. The subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America said in a press release that Kristine LaVigna had become its president and CEO. She will oversee the unit's mission to strengthen communities through CRA-aligned lending and investment. “Kristine brings deep expertise and a proven track record of leadership to this position,” ICBA Senior Executive Vice President of Innovation Kevin Tweddle said in

December 22, 2025
Daryl Byrd-led group to buy M C Bank in Louisiana

Daryl Byrd-led group to buy M C Bank in Louisiana

An investor group led by Daryl Byrd has agreed to buy M C Bank in Morgan City, La. DMMS Purchaser plans to buy the $479 million-asset bank, based on an announcement by Performance Trust Capital Partners, which advised the seller. The price wasn't disclosed. Byrd was CEO of IBERIABANK when it sold to First Horizon in Memphis, Tenn. “The combination of our associates and the DMMS team creates a powerful

December 22, 2025
University Bancorp in Michigan to buy two faith-based lenders

University Bancorp in Michigan to buy two faith-based lenders

University Bancorp in Ann Arbor, Mich., has agreed to buy Greater Pacific Bancshares in Whittier, Calif. University said in a press release that it will also buy American Finance House LARIBA, a mortgage and auto lender based in Pasadena, Calif. The deals are expected to close in the first half of 2026. Greater Pacific is the parent of the $167 million-asset Bank of Whittier. LARIBA has $18 million of assets.

December 20, 2025