Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Texas bank in dispute with OCC to recapitalize, bring in new executives

Texas bank in dispute with OCC to recapitalize, bring in new executives

Industry Bancshares in Industry, Texas, which has been embroiled in a battle with one of its regulators, is being recapitalized. The $5.1 billion-asset company said in a press release that it is raising $195 million by selling common stock to a group led by CSBH LLC. The lead investor is the holding company of New Horizon Bank, a Powhatan, Va., bank it bought and recapitalized in 2021. Industry’s board voted

August 20, 2024
Proposed BankMiami gets conditional approval from FDIC

Proposed BankMiami gets conditional approval from FDIC

A proposed bank in Miami has received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Organizers of BankMiami must raise $31.3 million before opening the bank, according to the FDIC’s approval. Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation signed off on BankMiami in July, Mary Usategui, the proposed bank’s CEO, disclosed on her LinkedIn account. Organizers submitted applications earlier this year. “We continue to welcome strategic investors who will share our pride

August 20, 2024
Former CEO of failed Kansas bank sentenced to 24 years in prison

Former CEO of failed Kansas bank sentenced to 24 years in prison

The former CEO of the failed Heartland Tri-State Bank has been sentenced to over 24 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Wichita said that Shan Hanes was sentenced to 293 months in prison Monday after pleading guilty in May to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. Hanes had been accused of embezzling $47.1 million for personal cryptocurrency purchases, executing 10 wire transfers between May and July 2023.

August 19, 2024
U.S. Eagle FCU to buy Southwest Capital Bank in N.M.

U.S. Eagle FCU to buy Southwest Capital Bank in N.M.

U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., has agreed to buy Southwest Capital Bank in Albuquerque. The $1.5 billion-asset U.S. Eagle did not disclose how much it will pay to buy the $434 million-asset Southwest Capital. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. U.S. Eagle said the deal will help it expand its cannabis lending and banking services. The credit union already has cannabis banking arm

August 19, 2024
Monzo hires adviser to serve as U.S. CEO

Monzo hires adviser to serve as U.S. CEO

Monzo has hired one of its advisers to run its U.S. bank. The U.K. neobank said that Carol Nelson will serve as U.S. CEO tasked with overseeing expansion in the market. Nelson has years of banking experience, including serving and president and CEO of Cascade Bank. Monzo recently raised nearly $65 million from a group that includes Octahedron Capital and existing investors.

August 19, 2024
Freedom Bank, BCBank in West Virginia apply for merger of equals

Freedom Bank, BCBank in West Virginia apply for merger of equals

Freedom Bancshares in Belington, W.Va., and Appalachian Financial in Philippi, W.Va., have filed the application for their planned merger of equals. Freedom, the parent of the $204 million-asset Freedom Bank, and the holding company for the $217 million-asset BCBank agreed to merge in April. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter; the price wasn’t disclosed. BCBank is a very well-respected banking organization,” Freedom Bank President and CEO

August 16, 2024
Spokane Teachers Credit Union to buy Community Bank in Wash.

Spokane Teachers Credit Union to buy Community Bank in Wash.

Spokane Teachers Credit Union in Washington has agreed to buy Community Bank in Joseph, Ore. The $6.4 billion-asset STCU said in a press release that it expects to buy the $550 million-asset bank early next year. The price wasn’t disclosed. STCU plans to keep all Community Bank employees. Community Bank is the 16th bank to agree to sell to a credit union this year – and the fifth in Washington

August 16, 2024
SB Financial to buy Marblehead Bancorp in Ohio

SB Financial to buy Marblehead Bancorp in Ohio

SB Financial Group in Defiance, Ohio, has agreed to buy Marblehead Bancorp in Marblehead, Ohio.   The $1.3 billion-asset SB Financial said in a press release that it will pay $5 million in cash for the $58.3 million-asset Marblehead. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.   Marblehead has two full-service branches and a limited-service branch.   “Both banks share a rich past, a strong brand and

August 15, 2024