Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

1st Source in Ind. promotes insider as next president

1st Source in Ind. promotes insider as next president

An insider has been promoted to serve as president of 1st Source Corp. in South Bend, Ind. The $8.7 billion-asset company said in a press release that Andrea Short will remain president and CEO of 1st Source Bank. She is already a member of the company’s board. Short succeeded Christopher Murphy III, who remains chairman and CEO. Short “is a proven leader who believes in our mission of helping our

May 1, 2024
Encore in Arkansas announces CEO’s sudden departure

Encore in Arkansas announces CEO’s sudden departure

Encore Bancshares in Little Rock, Ark., has parted ways with its CEO. The $4 billion-asset company said in a press release that Chris Roberts had also resigned as chairman. Phillip Jett was named acting chairman and CEO; he has served as vice chairman and chief banking officer. Burt Hicks will remain president. Encore “is a financially strong institution that has an industry-leading executive team,” Rita Lowman, the company’s lead independent

May 1, 2024
AI fintech Baselayer raises $6.5 million in seed round

AI fintech Baselayer raises $6.5 million in seed round

Baselayer, which uses AI to mitigate fraud and improve onboarding, has raised $6.5 million in its seed round. The fintech said in a press release that the investors included Torch Capital, Afore Capital, Founder Collective, Picus Capital and Gilgamesh Ventures. Individual investors included Eric Woodward, former president of Early Warnings Services, and executives from Stripe, Brex, Valley Bank and Airbase. “For a new or small business, waiting days or weeks

May 1, 2024
NYCB’s Otting braces investors to two-year turnaround plan

NYCB’s Otting braces investors to two-year turnaround plan

New York Community Bancorp in Hicksville will have a long road to return to profitability. The $113 billion-asset company lost $327 million in the first quarter after posting a $2.7 billion loss a quarter earlier. The first quarter included a $315 million loan-loss provision. “While this year will be a transitional year for the company, we have a clear path to profitability over the following two years,” Joseph Otting, the

May 1, 2024
FirstSun switching charters due to delay getting HomeStreet deal approved

FirstSun switching charters due to delay getting HomeStreet deal approved

FirstSun Capital Bancorp in Denver will raise more capital to buy HomeStreet in Seattle and scrap plans to have a national charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The $7.8 billion-asset FirstSun said in a press release that it now plans to raise up to $235 million to buy the $9.5 billion-asset HomeStreet, representing a 34% increase from original projections. About $80 million has already been raised.

May 1, 2024
BayFirst in Fla. stops lending to certain sectors, ends small-dollar SBA product

BayFirst in Fla. stops lending to certain sectors, ends small-dollar SBA product

BayFirst Financial in St. Petersburg, Fla., is being more cautious with its Small Business Administation lending. The $1.1 billion-asset BayFirst stopped lending to the transportation and marketing/advertising sectors and began to limit exposure to hotels and restaurants, CEO Thomas Zernick said during a conference call to discuss quarterly earnings. Those industries “present higher risk or have performed below expectations,” Robin Oliver, BayFirst’s president and chief operating officer, added. BayFirst also

April 30, 2024
Maine Credit Union League hires permanent president

Maine Credit Union League hires permanent president

The Maine Credit Union League finally has a permanent president. The trade group said in a press release that Elise Baldacci will take on the role on June 3. She will succeed Cris Wescott, who has served as interim president since Todd Mason’s left the group last June. Baldacci previously served as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Janet Mills. “After conducting a thorough search for our industry's next leader,

April 30, 2024
League of Southeastern Credit Unions shakes up leadership

League of Southeastern Credit Unions shakes up leadership

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates announced the sudden departure of its CEO. The trade group said in a press release that Patrick La Pine had stepped down. LSCU & Affiliates gave no reason for his departure. The group said that Samantha Beeler, its president, and Steve Wills, president of affiliated consolidated services and Leverage, now have elevated executive roles. Beeler and Willis will report directly to the

April 30, 2024