Always.bank, a new digital bank by 22nd State Banking in Mobile, Ala., has launched. The digital bank, created with assistance from Linker Finance, will focus on entrepreneurs and small businesses. The launch began with high-yield savings accounts and CDs, followed by an expansion into business banking capabilities. "Our vision is to build an advisor-led bank for small businesses that combines the convenience of modern digital banking with the trust and

Brookfield Bancshares in Brookfield, Ill., has agreed to buy NSTS Bancorp in Waukegan, Ill. The $333.4 billion-asset Brookfield said in a press release that it will pay $73.7 million in cash for the $266.6 million-asset NSTS. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. North Shore will retain its name and charter. “We are excited to join forces with the North Shore team and expand our presence into

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., will use a gain from exchanging Visa shares to offset a hit from selling underperforming securities. The company said in a press release that it will report a $99 million pretax gain from marking its newly obtained Visa Class C common stock. Commerce also plans to record a pretax loss of $95 million after selling $911 million of low-yielding securities. The company expects to

Allegheny Bancshares in Franklin, W.Va., has finalized its CEO succession. The $825 million-asset company said in a press release that Neil Hayslett will take on the role on July 13. Hayslett will also become CEO of Pendleton County Bank. Hayslett, the company's president, will succeed Bill Loving Jr., who will retire. Loving, who has led the bank since October 2000, will remain on the board. “For more than 25 years,

Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix disclosed a new issue with a $99 million commercial real estate loan. The $98.9 billion-asset Western Alliance disclosed in its quarterly filing that a borrower told the bank in late April that it would not repay the CRE non‑owner‑occupied loan. The loan had been performing in accordance with its contractual terms and was internally graded as pass. The loan was downgraded to substandard and placed on

Eagle Bancorp in Bethesda, Md., looked outward for its new leader. The company said in a press release that it hired Stephen Curley as its president and CEO, effective July 6. He will also join the board. Curley, who was chief banking officer for national business lines at Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix, will succeed Susan Riel. Riel, who plans to remain on the board, signed a 12-month consulting agreement

CB Financial Services in Carmichaels, Pa., disclosed that its bank was the victim of a cyberattack. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that its bank became aware on May 5 of "an internal incident involving the handling of certain non‑public customer information" using an unauthorized AI-based software application. The bank took measures to secure the data at issue and initiated an internal probe with the assistance of external cybersecurity

Androscoggin Bank in Lewiston, Maine, and Mascoma Bank in Lebanon, N.H., are planning to merge their holding companies. The merger would result in the creation of ClearNorth Financial Mutual Holding Co. The banks will continue to operate under their own names, charters and boards. Clay Adams, Mascoma's president and CEO, will be CEO of the new holding company. Neil Kiely, Androscoggin Bank’s CEO, will serve as president. They will retain