Bogota Financial in Teaneck, N.J., used proceeds from a sale-leaseback transaction to offset the costs of selling underwater securities. The $979 million-asset company said in a press release that it sold three branches to Mountainseed Real Estate Services for a $9 million pretax gain. Bogota said it will cost $1 million to rent the branches during the first year. Bogota also realized an $8.9 million pretax loss after selling $66

Great Southern Bank in Meridian, Miss., has a new CEO. The $338 million-asset bank also named Steven Cooksey to serve as its president. Cooksey, who joined the bank in 2015, was chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

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

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

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.

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

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

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