Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Amerant in Florida sells residential mortgage loans at $12.6 million loss

Amerant in Florida sells residential mortgage loans at $12.6 million loss

Amerant Bancorp in Coral Gables, Fla., sold a portfolio of mortgages at a $12.6 million loss. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold 323 investment property, residential mortgage loans to Temple View Capital Funding and TVC Funding VII for $58.9 million in cash. The loans had an outstanding principal balance of $71.4 million. The sales come on the heels of Amerant restructuring its securities portfolio and selling its

January 2, 2025
MVB in West Virginia to book $11.8M gain from sale-leaseback transaction

MVB in West Virginia to book $11.8M gain from sale-leaseback transaction

MVB Financial in Fairmont, W.Va., entered into a sale-leaseback transaction tied to four properties. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold the properties to Mountainseed Real Estate Services for $17.6 million, or a pretax gain of $11.8 million. MVB then signed a 15-year lease for the properties, with three five-year renewal options. The initial lease is $1.5 million for the first year, with 2% annual increases. MVB

January 2, 2025
Honesdale National in Pennsylvania promotes insider as new CEO

Honesdale National in Pennsylvania promotes insider as new CEO

Honesdale National Bank in Honesdale, Pa., has a new leader. The $1 billion-asset bank posted on its website that Kate Bryant had become its president and CEO. Bryant, who has worked at the bank for more than 20 years, succeeded Thomas Sheridan, who retired. She was the bank's CFO.

January 2, 2025
Gesa Credit Union forms military-focused digital bank

Gesa Credit Union forms military-focused digital bank

Gesa Credit Union in Richland, Wash., has created a digital bank for military veterans. The credit union said in a press release that it worked with Nymbus to launch ValorFI Heroes. The platform is also available to educators, healthcare workers, first responders, and law enforcement officers. The platform offers savings accounts, money market accounts and CDs supported by a mobile app and Visa debit cards. Users can also make charitable

January 2, 2025
Employer.com buys Bench days after accounting fintech shut down

Employer.com buys Bench days after accounting fintech shut down

Employer.com, a human resources firm, bought Bench Accounting days after the fintech's shutdown. Employer.com said in a press release that the acquisition reflects a commitment to expanding its portfolio of services and adding value to small business owners. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal closed on Jan. 1 on the heels of Bench's Dec. 28 decision to suspend operations. Employer.com said the deal means that the fintech's customers will

January 1, 2025
Banking veteran Steven Sugarman named president of Patriot National

Banking veteran Steven Sugarman named president of Patriot National

Patriot National Bancorp in Stamford, Conn., has hired Steven Sugarman as its president. The company, which had recently announced a plan to evaluate its strategic options, disclosed in a regulatory filing that Sugarman had taken on the role, effective immediately. Sugarman "is well suited to successfully lead the company’s strategic restructuring," the filing said. "This includes the company’s efforts to raise capital, enhance the strategic plan, ensure regulatory compliance, attract

December 31, 2024
American Savings in Hawaii sold to investor group for $405 million

American Savings in Hawaii sold to investor group for $405 million

Hawaiian Electric Industries sold a 90.1% stake in American Savings Bank in Honolulu to a group of investors. The stake in the $9.3 billion-asset bank was sold for $405 million in cash. Hawaiian Electric said in a press release that it retained a 9.9% stake. The bank will continue to be led by its management team. “The sale allows HEI to enhance our focus on the utility as we work

December 31, 2024
Taylor Bank in Maryland selects insider as next leader

Taylor Bank in Maryland selects insider as next leader

Taylor Bank in Berlin, Md., has a new CEO. The $1 billion-asset bank said in a post on its website that Dean Lewis had also become its president. Lewis, who was the bank's chief financial officer, succeeded Ray Thompson, who had held both roles for the past 16 years. Lewis joined the bank in 2012. “Our bank's success during my time here is the result of the collective effort, dedication,

December 31, 2024