Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Solutions Plus Bank debuts in Alabama after raising $27 million

Solutions Plus Bank debuts in Alabama after raising $27 million

Solutions Plus Bank has opened in Albertville, Ala. The bank debuted on Dec. 4, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Organizers had to raise $27 million after they secured conditional FDIC approval in November 2024. The group applied with the FDIC  the previous August.

December 10, 2025
FDIC gives conditional approval to proposed Georgia Skyline Bank

FDIC gives conditional approval to proposed Georgia Skyline Bank

Organizers of the proposed Georgia Skyline Bank in Roswell have received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The group, which submitted its application in June, needs to raise at least $25 million in initial capital prior to opening. Ryan Floyd would be the proposed bank’s president and CEO. He was a senior vice president at The Piedmont Bank. Floyd said in a past interview that his group aims to

December 10, 2025
FirstBanc to buy FBDC Financial in merger of Alabama banks

FirstBanc to buy FBDC Financial in merger of Alabama banks

FirstBanc of Alabama in Talladega has agreed to buy FBDC Financial in Fort Payne, Ala. The $1.1 billion-asset FirstBanc will pay $20.5 million in cash and stock for the parent of the $162 million-asset First Fidelity Bank. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. One FBDC director will join FirstBanc's board. Olsen Palmer advised FirstBanc.

December 10, 2025
KeyCorp in Ohio swears off bank M&A, raises buyback projections

KeyCorp in Ohio swears off bank M&A, raises buyback projections

KeyCorp in Cleveland is taking itself off the board when it comes to buying banks. The company made it clear during its presentation at a conference hosted by Goldman Sachs, stating in a slide that it is "not pursuing depository acquisitions." Key also noted in a slide that it expects to repurchase about $200 million of its stock in the fourth quarter. The updates come shortly after HoldCo Asset Management

December 9, 2025
Home in Ark. to enter Tennessee with Mountain Commerce acquisition

Home in Ark. to enter Tennessee with Mountain Commerce acquisition

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., has agreed to buy Mountain Commerce Bancorp in Knoxville, Tenn. Home said in a press release that it will pay $150.1 million in stock for the parent of the $1.8 billion-asset Mountain Commerce Bank. The merger, which is expected to close early in the first half of 2026, priced Mountain Commerce at 105% of its tangible book value. The transaction should be 1.4% accretive to 2026

December 8, 2025
Organizers aim to raise $27M for proposed Private Bank in Georgia

Organizers aim to raise $27M for proposed Private Bank in Georgia

The organizers of the proposed Private Bank & Trust plan to raise at least $27 million in initial capital. The group recently applied to open the bank in Gainesville, Ga. Private Bank is being positioned as a high-touch, relationship-driven institution focused on small businesses, professionals and affluent households. Organizers expect up to three-fourths of banking activity to originate in Hall County, according to the application with the Federal Deposit Insurance

December 8, 2025
Beal-owned Monet Bank in Texas setting sights on crypto operations

Beal-owned Monet Bank in Texas setting sights on crypto operations

Monet Bank in Plano, Texas, is planning a push into crypto lending and custody. The $4.5 billion-asset bank, owned by Andy Beal, is now positioning itself as an "infrastructure bank" that will focus on digital assets. "Monet is focused on being the premier digital asset financial institution, providing innovative and forward-facing solutions for the digital economy," according to the bank's website. The bank, formed as Beal Savings Bank in the

December 8, 2025
CEO of West Union Bank in W.Va. to retire in early 2026

CEO of West Union Bank in W.Va. to retire in early 2026

West Union Bank in West Virginia is setting the stage for a new president and CEO. West Union said in a press release that Thomas Whaling, who has spent more than two decades leading the bank, will retire in January. “Tom has always led by example, treating other people the way he wants to be treated," the bank said in the release. "Some qualities that make Tom a great leader

December 8, 2025