Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

HomeStreet in Seattle to sell nearly $1B in multifamily loans

HomeStreet in Seattle to sell nearly $1B in multifamily loans

HomeStreet in Seattle will sell nearly $1 billion of multifamily loans to Bank of America. The $9.4 billion-asset company, which had to nix plans to sell itself to FirstSun Capital Bancorp in Denver, said in a press release that the loans should sell at 91.5% of their principal balance. HomeStreet will continue to service the loans. The sale is expected to close by Dec. 31. “Entering into this agreement and

December 27, 2024
Arrow in N.Y. sells securities for second time in a year

Arrow in N.Y. sells securities for second time in a year

Arrow Financial in Glen Falls, N.Y., again restructured its securities portfolio. The $4.4 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold $75 million of available-for-sale securities at a pretax loss of $3 million. Proceeds were used to buy higher-yielding available-for-sale securities. It should take a little over a year to earn back the loss. The transaction is expected to improve Arrow's net interest income by about $2.7 million

December 26, 2024
Fourth generation banker to lead First International Bank in N.D.

Fourth generation banker to lead First International Bank in N.D.

First International Bank & Trust in Watford City, N.D., will have a new CEO with a familiar last name. The $5 billion-asset bank said in a press release that S. Peter Stenehjem will become CEO on Jan. 1, succeeding his father, Stephen Stenhjem. He will represent the fourth generation of the family to run the bank. The elder Stenehjem, who has been CEO for 34 years, will remain chairman. “It

December 24, 2024
CFPB sues three large banks over payments platform Zelle

CFPB sues three large banks over payments platform Zelle

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has filed a lawsuit against Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, along with Early Warning Services, that alleges the companies failed to protect consumers from fraud. The bureau claims that the banks' customers have lost more than $870 million through Zelle in the past seven years. The CFPB alleges that Early Warning Services, which operates Zelle, rushed the platform to market with insufficient safeguards.

December 23, 2024
Fortuna Bank debuts in Ohio after completing de novo process

Fortuna Bank debuts in Ohio after completing de novo process

Fortuna Bank has opened in Grandview Heights, Ohio. The de novo bank officially opened on Dec. 9, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Organizers raised more than $20.7 million. Ilaria Rawlins is the bank’s president and CEO. Fortuna is the fifth de novo to open in 2024. The others are Nova Bank in Alabama, Integrity Bank in Texas, Four States Bank in Missouri and Altos Bank in California.

December 23, 2024
Norwood in Pennsylvania raises $30 million from stock offering

Norwood in Pennsylvania raises $30 million from stock offering

Norwood Financial in Honesdale, Pa., raised $29.9 million from selling common stock. The $2.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it sold about 1.2 million shares of stock at $26 each. The sales included 150,000 shares set aside to cover added demand. Norwood said it expects to use the net proceeds for investment into its bank after it repositions its securities portfolio. Proceeds could also be used to

December 23, 2024
Two North Carolina credit unions form CUSO to sell cars

Two North Carolina credit unions form CUSO to sell cars

Coastal Federal Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., and Truliant Federal Credit Union in Winston-Salem, N.C., have formed a credit union service organization (CUSO) to sell cars through a Winston-Salem dealership. The credit unions have partnered with TrueBay Automotive to create the Credit Union Auto Marketplace. Truliant, TruBuy and Coastal (through its CUSO) each own a third of the new CUSO. Truliant repossessed about $1.4 million in vehicles in the first

December 23, 2024
GTSB Financial in Michigan raises $20 million via stock sale

GTSB Financial in Michigan raises $20 million via stock sale

GTSB Financial in Traverse City, Mich., which recently bought a bank, raised $19.7 million by selling common stock. GTSB, which is led by Gregg Bigger and Rob Farr, had aimed to raise at least $14.5 million. GTSB is a holding company formed to buy First State Bank of Decatur. The deal closed in October.

December 23, 2024