Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Flagstar in N.Y. splits president roles, Otting remains CEO

Flagstar in N.Y. splits president roles, Otting remains CEO

Flagstar Bank in Hicksville, N.Y., has split the role of president. The bank said in a press release that Joseph Otting will remain chairman and CEO, but will relinguish his role as president. The post will be filled by Richard Raffetto and Lee Smith, who will also serve as co-chief operating officers. Raffetto, who was also named chief banking officer, was president of commercial and private banking. Smith will remain chief

May 19, 2026
Eagle Bancorp Montana sets stage for CEO succession

Eagle Bancorp Montana sets stage for CEO succession

Eagle Bancorp Montana in Helena has a new president. The company said in a press release that Darryl Rensmon will take on the role on June 1, succeeding Laura Clark, who will remain CEO. Eagle said Rensmon, who was chief operating officer, is in line to succeed Clark as CEO whenever she retires. Clark had not set a retirement date. “I have worked closely with Darryl for nearly a decade,

May 18, 2026
Gibsland agrees to buy Marion State in Louisiana bank merger

Gibsland agrees to buy Marion State in Louisiana bank merger

Gibsland Bancshares in Gibsland, La., has agreed to buy Marion State Bank in Marion, La. The $575 million-asset Gibsland said in a press release that it plans to buy the $240 million-asset Marion State in the second half of 2026. The price wasn't disclosed. Marion State has five branches, $163 million of loans, and $210 million of deposits. “Marion State ... has built an outstanding reputation through more than a

May 16, 2026
Homestead Bank to buy First State Bank in Nebraska

Homestead Bank to buy First State Bank in Nebraska

Homestead Bank in Cozad, Neb., has agreed to buy First State Bank in Randolph, Neb. Homestead applied with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on May 13. The deal is expected to close in mid-2026. The price wasn't disclosed.

May 15, 2026
Victory Bank in Texas to buy minority stake in wealth management firm

Victory Bank in Texas to buy minority stake in wealth management firm

Victory Bank in Lubbock, Texas, has agreed to buy a 40% stake in McDonald Capital Management. McDonald is a fee-only investment management firm that oversees more than $350 million in assets. “Our significant investment ... is a testament to both our strategic focus as well as our non-linear approach to building a durable, high-performing, Texas banking enterprise,” C. Brett McDowell, Victory's co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “This is

May 15, 2026
Hancock Whitney to buy OFB Bancshares in Florida

Hancock Whitney to buy OFB Bancshares in Florida

Hancock Whitney in Gulfport, Miss., has agreed to buy OFB Bancshares in Orlando, Fla. Hancock Whitney said in a press release that it will pay $377.6 million in cash for the $2.1 billion-asset parent of One Florida Bank. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, priced OFB at 200% of its tangible book value. The acquisition “represents a significant step in our long-term growth strategy, expanding

May 15, 2026
Fintech equipifi raises $34 million in latest funding round

Fintech equipifi raises $34 million in latest funding round

Fintech equipifi has raised $34 million in Series B funding. The funding round was led by Left Lane Capital with continued participation from Curql, PHX Ventures, and all other existing major investors. SWBC and the Bankers Helping Bankers Fund joined with the new round. "Our mission is straightforward: Every consumer should have access to pay-over-time solutions from the primary banking provider they prefer," CEO Bryce Deeney wrote in a LinkedIn post.

May 14, 2026
BMO to sell transportation and vendor finance businesses

BMO to sell transportation and vendor finance businesses

BMO Financial Group in Toronto has agreed to sell its transportation finance and vendor finance businesses, including loans in the U.S. and Canada, to Stonepeak in New York. Stonepeak will pay a cash amount and an earnout contingent. BMO will use a portion of the consideration to invest in a roughly 19.9% stake in the new entity. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.

May 13, 2026