The Independent Community Bankers of America announced the participants in its ninth ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program, with artificial intelligence serving as a major focus. The program is set to run from May 19 to July 25 and will include: Beta Financial Services, which offers an AI-powered credit scoring platform Clockout, a white-labeled Earned Wage Access (EWA) infrastructure provider. DeepSee, which offers a flexible AI operating system that streamlines operations. Overwatch

First Business Financial Services in Madison, Wis., is entering the final stage of succession planning. The $3.9 billion-asset company said in a press release that Corey Chambas plans to retire as CEO on May 2, 2026. David Seiler, the company's president and chief operating officer is set to succeed Chambas, who will remain on the board. “Corey’s commitment to First Business Bank’s founding mission – to be the experts our

Foresight Financial Group in Winnebago, Ill., has consolidated six banks under a single charter. The $1.6 billion-asset company said in a press release that it formed Foresight Bank by collapsing the charters of the former German American State Bank, Northwest Bank of Rockford, State Bank of Freeport, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher. The consolidation “allows us to better serve our customers and communities,”

Frontier Credit Union in Idaho Falls has agreed to buy First Citizens Bank of Butte in Montana. The $687 million-asset credit union announced the planned purchase of the $75 million-asset bank on its website. The price wasn't disclosed. “We’re not just expanding our footprint—we’re extending our mission of helping people build better lives," Frontier CEO Dan Thurman said in the release. “This transaction brings tremendous opportunities for our customers and

American Bancorp in Atlanta has a new leader. The $540 million-asset bank said in a press release that Dominik Mjartan had become its CEO. Mjartan joined American from Optus Bank in South Carolina, where he was president and CEO. "With Dom on board, we are entering an exciting new season for the bank," Adam Patel, the bank's chairman, said in the release. "His vision and dedication are driving us forward as

Steven Sugarman has a bigger role at Patriot National Bancorp in Stamford, Conn. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that Sugarman, who joined as president in December, will become its CEO on May 6. Separately, Patriot National hired Angie Miranda as chief risk officer. Miranda was the chief risk officer and BSA officer at The Change Company, where Sugarman is the founder and CEO. Sugarman is leading a group

First National Bank of Omaha in Nebraska has agreed to buy CCB Financial in Kansas City, Mo. The $32 billion-asset First National plans to complete its purchase of the parent company for the $2.2 billion-asset Country Club Bank by the end of this year. The price wasn't disclosed. Country Club has 20 branches in Kansas and Missouri. “This is an exciting opportunity to bring together the best of both FNBO

Evolve Bank & Trust in West Memphis, Ark., which has been dealing with fallout from its fintech partnerships, lost $4.3 million in the first quarter. The $1.6 billion-asset bank disclosed the loss in its call report with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. It earned nearly $3 million a year earlier. The loss stemmed largely from a decline in noninterest income and higher legal and compliance costs, offsetting a modest improvement