Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

National Bank in Colo. flags $47M in chargeoffs on franchise and healthcare loans

National Bank in Colo. flags $47M in chargeoffs on franchise and healthcare loans

National Bank Holdings in Denver warned that it expects material impairments on specific commercial loans in the third quarter, mostly involving credits in the franchise and healthcare industries. The company said the affected relationships carry $65 million in outstanding principal. Management is still assessing the remaining collateral and will charge the loans down to their estimated value, an aggregate of $18.2 million. That implies $46.8 million in chargeoffs and a

October 2, 2026
Blackhawk in Illinois to buy Liberty Bank in Iowa

Blackhawk in Illinois to buy Liberty Bank in Iowa

Blackhawk Bancorp. in Milan, Ill., has agreed to buy Liberty Bancorp. in Durant, Iowa. The $2 billion-asset parent of Blackhawk Bank & Trust said in a statement that it expects to buy the holding company for the $186.2 million-asset Liberty Trust & Savings Bank in the fourth quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. The acquisition "represents an important next step for two organizations that share a very similar approach to community

October 2, 2026
Chemung in N.Y. to combine banks under single brand

Chemung in N.Y. to combine banks under single brand

Chemung Financial in Elmira, N.Y., will rebrand its banks under one name. The $2.8 billion-asset company said in a press release that Chemung Canal Trust Co., Capital Bank and Canal Bank will rebrand as Canal Bank & Trust. “For nearly 200 years, our organization has grown while staying true to the principles that have defined us for generations: personal service, local decision-making, trusted relationships and a deep commitment to the

October 1, 2026
American Bancorp in Ga. sells New Republic charter to Florida group

American Bancorp in Ga. sells New Republic charter to Florida group

American Bancorp in Macon, Ga., has sold the charter of New Republic Bank in Charlotte, N.C., to a Florida investor group. Juno Bancorp in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., applied in June to become a bank holding company by acquiring New Republic. American Bancorp announced the completed sale on Oct. 1; the price was not disclosed. New Republic's Charlotte branch and its core clients stay with the $491 million-asset American Pride

October 1, 2026
Parkway in Chicago raises $350M, introduces new leadership

Parkway in Chicago raises $350M, introduces new leadership

Parkway Bancorp in Chicago has fresh capital and new leadership. The company said in a press release that it raised $350 million through a private placement of common stock co-led by investment funds managed by Patriot Financial Partners and Stone Point Capital. Most of the proceeds were used to complete a private tender offer to repurchase shares of Parkway stock from existing investors. As part of the transaction, Chip Reeves was named president

October 1, 2026
Proposed New South Bank in Florida receives conditional FDIC approval

Proposed New South Bank in Florida receives conditional FDIC approval

Organizers of the proposed New South Bank in Tampa, Fla., have received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The group must raise $25 million before the bank can open. In their application, organizers said the goal is to be profitable in the second year and to have $250 million of assets the following year, along with $225 milion of deposits and $180 million of loans. New South is

October 1, 2026
First Merchants in Ind. taps bank president as its next CEO

First Merchants in Ind. taps bank president as its next CEO

First Merchants in Muncie, Ind., will begin 2027 with a new CEO. The $21 billion-asset company said in a press release that Mike Stewart will also become its president. Stewart, the bank's president, will succeed. Mark Hardwick, who is retiring. “We wish Mark well and are grateful for his outstanding leadership through years of tremendous growth, including 18 acquisitions during his tenure,” Jean Wojtowicz, the company's chair, said in the

October 1, 2026
Peoples in Ohio to leap above $10B-asset mark with Capital purchase

Peoples in Ohio to leap above $10B-asset mark with Capital purchase

Peoples Bancorp in Marietta, Ohio, has agreed to buy Capital Bancorp in Rockville, Md. The $9.5 billion-asset Peoples said in a press release that it will pay $728.1 million in stock for the $3.9 billion-asset Capital. The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of next year, priced Capital at 191% of its tangible book value. Capital has four business segments: commercial banking, OpenSky for secured credit

September 30, 2026