Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Mortgage lending veteran to buy Greenwoods State Bank in Wis.

Mortgage lending veteran to buy Greenwoods State Bank in Wis.

A mortgage banking veteran has agreed to buy Greenwoods Financial Group in Lake Mills, Wis. The $575 million-asset parent of Greenwoods State Bank said in a press release that it agreed to sell itself to Christopher M. George. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. The price wasn't disclosed.  “I look forward to working with ... the entire Greenwoods team to assist in expanding the bank’s footprint

July 17, 2024
Discover strikes deal to sell private student loan portfolio

Discover strikes deal to sell private student loan portfolio

Discover Financial Services in Riverwoods, Ill., has agreed to sell its private student loan portfolio to strategic partnerships that involve Carlyle and KKR. Discover said in a press release that Firstmark Services, a division of Nelnet, would assume responsibility for servicing the $10.1 billion portfolio following the sale. The purchase price will have a premium to the principal balance of the portfolio and, based on certain assumptions, is expected to

July 17, 2024
Capital One unveils $265B community plan for Discover acquisition

Capital One unveils $265B community plan for Discover acquisition

Capital One Financial Group in McLean, Va., has pledged $265 billion over the next five years to support underserved markets as part of its $35 billion purchase of Discover Financial Services. Capital One agreed to maintain its lending to low- and moderate-income consumers and communities at $200 billion over the five-year period. The company will maintain 30% of branches and cafes in LMI neighborhoods. The company also pledged to retain

July 17, 2024
Firstbanc of Alabama signs sale-leaseback agreement

Firstbanc of Alabama signs sale-leaseback agreement

Firstbanc of Alabama in Talladega has agreed to a sale-leaseback transaction with MountainSeed Real Estate Services. The parent of the $1 billion-asset First Bank of Alabama will sell four branches for about $7.8 million. The bank will lease the offices for an initial 15-year term with the option to extend the lease for another 15 years. The rates were not disclosed. “MountainSeed has been a great partner to the bank

July 17, 2024
Currency Bank in La. selects insider as new CEO

Currency Bank in La. selects insider as new CEO

Currency Bank in Oak Grove, La., has a new president and CEO. Scott Gaudin announced on his LinkedIn page that he had also become president and CEO of Axxess Partners, the holding company for the $186 million-asset bank. Gaudin, who was chief lending officer, succeeded Charles Chiasson.

July 16, 2024
VersaBank names leaders ahead of U.S. bank purchase

VersaBank names leaders ahead of U.S. bank purchase

VersaBank named a president for its new U.S. bank. The Canadian bank said in a press release that Tel Matrundola will take on the role at the newly created VersaBank USA. Matrundola was chief strategy officer at PWC Capital, VersaBank’s former parent company. Shawn Clarke was named chief operating officer of VersaBank USA; he was CFO at the Canadian bank. Tim Bloom will serve as chief risk officer at the U.S.

July 15, 2024
Country Bank for Savings in Mass. lines up new CEO

Country Bank for Savings in Mass. lines up new CEO

Country Bank for Savings in Ware, Mass., will have a new CEO. The $1.9 billion-asset bank said in a press release that Mary McGovern will take over the role on Aug. 1. McGovern, who was named president earlier this year, will succeed Paul Scully, who is retiring. She has also been the bank’s chief operating officer. Scully has served as CEO for the past 19 years.

July 11, 2024
TD Bank forms community advisory board under $20B impact plan

TD Bank forms community advisory board under $20B impact plan

TD Bank has agreed to a three-year, $20 billion community impact plan. The bank said in a press release that it had formed an 11-member community advisory board in conjunction with the plan. The board includes members from groups such as Asian Pacific Community Development, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders and the Urban Institute. The plan “reinforces TD’s commitment to financial inclusion, sustainable growth and social progress in

July 11, 2024