Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Fifth Third to invest $3M in Clearinghouse CDFI

Fifth Third to invest $3M in Clearinghouse CDFI

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati will invest $3 million in Clearinghouse CDFI in Lake Forest, Calif. Clearinghouse CDFI said in a press release that proceeds from the Class A equity investment will help it make more loans for projects that could include multifamily affordable housing, commercial real estate, small businesses, and community facilities. The investment "represents a significant commitment and launches a strong community partnership," Douglas J. Bystry, Clearinghouse CDFI's

March 24, 2026
VersaBank in Canada to sell Minnesota branch back to Stearns Bank

VersaBank in Canada to sell Minnesota branch back to Stearns Bank

VersaBank in Canada has agreed to sell its branch in Holdingford, Minn., to Stearns Bank. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has already approved the sale. VersaBank obtained the bank when it bought Stearns Bank Holdingford in 2024. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. The branch has $101.7 million of deposits in mid-2025, based on data from the Federal Deposit

March 24, 2026
Eagle Bancorp in Maryland to face proxy fight

Eagle Bancorp in Maryland to face proxy fight

Eagle Bancorp in Bethesda, Md., is facing a board challenge from an activist investor. Diligence Capital Management said it plans to nominate three directors to run for seats at Eagle's upcoming annual meeting. Diligence was founded by James Abbott, who recently oversaw investor relations at Zions Bancorp. Diligence also wants the board to make swift governance and strategic changes and quickly complete its CEO succession process. Abbott wants the new

March 24, 2026
Heritage Financial in Wash. discloses cybersecurity incident

Heritage Financial in Wash. discloses cybersecurity incident

Heritage Financial in Olympia, Wash., disclosed that it detected a cybersecurity incident in early March involving an internal file share server used by employees. The company said in a regulatory filing that it detected "the exfiltration of files" from the share server that may contain personal data. The bank’s customer accounts, customer systems and operations were not impacted. Heritage Financial said it immediately initiated its security incident response plan and

March 23, 2026
Oregon Coast Bank to buy Connect Community in Washington

Oregon Coast Bank to buy Connect Community in Washington

Oregon Coast Bank in Newport has agreed to buy Connect Community Bank in Raymond, Wash. The $449.6 million-asset Oregon Coast said in a press release that it plans to buy the $76.7 million-asset Connect in the second quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. “Our mission has always been to provide common sense, relationship-driven banking focused on the unique needs of our coastal communities,” Oregon Coast Bank CEO Lance Nunn said in

March 22, 2026
UBS received OCC approval for national bank charter

UBS received OCC approval for national bank charter

UBS has received final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national bank charter. “This milestone really positions us well for the next phase of growth as we work to strengthen our U.S. banking platform and enhance how we will be able to serve our clients and advisers,” Rob Karofsky, president of UBS’s Americas division and co-president of global wealth management, said in a video

March 20, 2026
Citizens Bank of Las Cruces in New Mexico hires outsider as new CEO

Citizens Bank of Las Cruces in New Mexico hires outsider as new CEO

Citizens Bank of Las Cruces in New Mexico has a new leader. The $1.1 billion-asset bank said in a LinkedIn post that Travis Hillman had become its president and CEO. Hillman's profile also listed him as president of Amador Banc Shares. Hillman, who was a market president at Community National Bank in Midland, Texas, succeeded Jed Fanning, who remains an executive officer. Hillman "brings extensive experience in financial services and

March 20, 2026
First State Bancorp in Missouri to buy Senath State Bank

First State Bancorp in Missouri to buy Senath State Bank

First State Bancorp in Caruthersville, Mo., has agreed to buy Senath Bancshares in Senath, Mo. The holding company for the $642 million-asset First State Bank and Trust did not disclose how much it will pay for the parent of the $105.6 million-asset Senath State Bank. Performance Trust Capital Partners and Polsinelli advised First State. Friday Eldredge & Clark advised Senath.

March 20, 2026