Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Coastal Carolina to buy Beacon Holding in S.C. bank merger

Coastal Carolina to buy Beacon Holding in S.C. bank merger

Coastal Carolina Bancshares in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has agreed to buy Beacon Holding Co. in Charleston, S.C. Coastal Carolina said in a press release that it will exchange stock for the parent of Beacon Community Bank. The deal is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter. The combined bank will be rebranded as Beacon Bank. Coastal will have eight of the board's 15 seats. Laurence Bolchoz will remain

May 29, 2026
Former SRM execs leading new vendor management firm for credit unions

Former SRM execs leading new vendor management firm for credit unions

Orion Financial in Memphis, Tenn., is looking to disrupt the status quo among vendor management consultants with an effort led by former executives from an established firm. Mark Mrva, who recently joined Orion from Strategic Resource Management, wrote on LinkedIn that the credit union had formed WonderLab Advisors, a new firm designed to help credit unions assess vendor programs, improve third-party spend, strengthen procurement governance, and build scalable sourcing processes. Ben

May 29, 2026
ScotiaBank to buy MapleMark Bank in Texas

ScotiaBank to buy MapleMark Bank in Texas

Scotiabank in Toronto has agreed to buy Maple Financial Holdings in Tulsa, Okla. The Canadian bank did not disclose how much it will pay for the parent of the $1 billion-asset MapleMark Bank. Most of the bank's deposits are in the Dallas area. The acquisition "allows Scotiabank to offer FDIC deposit insurance to our clients, which is important for our mortgage capital markets business and our deposit growth strategy," Travis

May 29, 2026
SoFi buys lending fintech Peach Finance

SoFi buys lending fintech Peach Finance

SoFi bought Peach Finance, a California fintech that provides loan management and servicing software to financial institutions. The price wasn't disclosed. Peach, founded in 2018 by Eddie O., Eran Sandler, and Gur Brosh, has raised $35.8 million in total funding, backed by SciFi VC, Caffeinated Capital, Background Capital, Nyca Partners, and Canapi Ventures. Its raised $10.3 million in a Series B round in October 2024. Peach will become part of

May 28, 2026
Legend Bancorp to buy Graham Savings in Texas bank merger

Legend Bancorp to buy Graham Savings in Texas bank merger

Legend Bancorp in Bowie, Texas, has agreed to buy Graham Savings and Loan in Graham, Texas. The $1.2 billion-asset Legend said in a press release that it expects to buy the $160 million-asset Graham Savings this fall. The price wasn't disclosed. “As a locally-owned, community bank focused on our employees, customers, and communities, we have a similar DNA," Jay Bearden, Legend's president and CEO, said in the release. "We share

May 28, 2026
Former First Hawaiian CFO leading new Calif. de novo effort

Former First Hawaiian CFO leading new Calif. de novo effort

An organizing group is looking to create Venture Coast Bank in Palo Alto, Calif. The application describes a one-branch de novo built around a relatively simple proposition: a back-to-basics community bank serving small and midsize businesses, retail customers, and local organizations. Venture Coast's organizers plan to operate without affiliates or a complex organizational structure, leaning on a “client-oriented service model,” a clear capital structure, and a focus on deposit, lending,

May 27, 2026
Members Credit Union in Conn. mourns CEO’s passing

Members Credit Union in Conn. mourns CEO’s passing

Members Credit Union in Stamford, Conn., is coordinating next steps following the death of its CEO. The credit union disclosed that Kathy Chartier had passed away. She was also Members' president. "Kathy was a respected leader, mentor, and advocate for the credit union philosophy of people helping people," the credit union said in a LinkedIn post. "Her compassion, humility, and dedication to serving others touched countless lives throughout our community

May 27, 2026
Alliance Bancshares in Missouri to buy Anna State Bank in Illinois

Alliance Bancshares in Missouri to buy Anna State Bank in Illinois

Alliance Bancshares in Cape Girardeau, Mo., has agreed to buy ASB Management in Anna, Ill. The $399.9 million-asset Alliance expects to buy the parent of the $112.3 million-asset Anna State Bank in the fourth quarter, according to Olsen Palmer, which advised the seller. The price wasn't disclosed.

May 27, 2026