Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Fintech Kobalt Labs raises $11 million Series A funding round

Fintech Kobalt Labs raises $11 million Series A funding round

Kobalt Labs has raised $11 million in a Series A funding round. The fintech, which uses AI to automate and strengthen risk and compliance workflows at financial institutions, said in an announcement that the funding round was led by Ali Rowghani at First Harmonic. Alloy Labs and Y Combinator also participated in the round.

December 4, 2025
Youth banking CUSO Nuuvia raises $4 million

Youth banking CUSO Nuuvia raises $4 million

Nuuvia, a credit union service organization (CUSO) that is building a youth banking and intelligent lifecycle banking platform, raised $4 million. VyStar Credit Union and Desert Financial Credit Union were the investors; each will appoint representatives to the CUSO's board and product technology and innovation council. “Creating meaningful partnerships with institutions like VyStar Credit Union and Desert Financial Credit Union is central to our vision of redefining the future of

December 4, 2025
Delfi, CFO Consulting Partners program to address balance sheet oversight

Delfi, CFO Consulting Partners program to address balance sheet oversight

Delfi, an AI-native risk management platform, and CFO Consulting Partners, a firm of former finance executives, have launched an offering to help banks and credit unions improve balance-sheet discipline. The partnership reflects a growing industry trend, where institutions are seeking faster, clearer analytics paired with experienced guidance. The partnership combines Delfi’s real-time analytics platform with up to five hours of tailored financial advice from CFOCP’s senior team. Institutions can also

December 4, 2025
Former Signature execs open blockchain-based bank for instant payments

Former Signature execs open blockchain-based bank for instant payments

A group of former Signature Bank executives has launched a blockchain-based bank to offer instant payments. Scott Shay, Signature's former chairman, is one of the founders of N3XT, along with Jeffrey Wallis, who was the New York bank's director of digital asset and Web3 strategy. The other founders are Aurélien Bonnel and Kyle O’Donnell. Wallis is the bank's president and CEO. N3XT will operate under a Wyoming special-purpose bank charter.

December 4, 2025
FirstSun, Castle Creek strike board representation agreement

FirstSun, Castle Creek strike board representation agreement

FirstSun Capital Bancorp plans to add a representative from Castle Creek Capital Partners to its board after the investment group bought stock from another one of the Denver company's investors. Castle Creek said in a press release that it purchased $40 million of FirstSun common stock, adding that it now has a 4% stake in the company. Spencer Cohn is expected to join FirstSun’s board when the company buys First

December 4, 2025
South Plains to buy Bank of Houston in $106M deal

South Plains to buy Bank of Houston in $106M deal

South Plains Financial in Lubbock, Texas, has agreed to buy BOH Holdings in Houston. The $4.8 billion-asset South Plains said in a press release that it will pay $105.9 million in stock for the parent of the $772 million-asset Bank of Houston. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, priced BOH at 143% of its tangible common equity. Bank of Houston has $633 million in loans

December 1, 2025
Midland States in Ill. sells equipment finance book for $502 million

Midland States in Ill. sells equipment finance book for $502 million

Midland States Bancorp in Effingham, Ill., has sold substantially all of its equipment finance portfolio to an affiliate of North Mill Equipment Finance. The $6.9 billion-asset Midland States said in a press release that NMEF paid $502 million in cash for the portfolio, which included about $599 million in loans and leases and $21 million of operating leases. The deal excludes about $75 million of loans and leases that Midland

December 1, 2025
Associated to buy American National Bank in Nebraska

Associated to buy American National Bank in Nebraska

Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wis., has agreed to buy American National in Omaha, Neb. The $44 billion-asset Associated said in a press release that it will pay $604 million in stock for the $5.3 billion-asset parent of American National Bank. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, priced American National at 114% of its tangible book value. American National has 33 branches, $3.8 billion of

December 1, 2025