Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Business First in La. buys consulting firm American Planning Corp.

Business First in La. buys consulting firm American Planning Corp.

Business First Bancshares in Baton Rouge, La., bought consulting firm American Planning Corp. The $8.9 billion-asset Business First said in a press release that T. Jefferson Fair, American Planning's CEO, and his team joined b1BANK subsidiary Smith Shellnut Wilson. The price wasn't disclosed. American Planning offers outsourced CFO services, financial modeling, strategic planning, capital planning, asset/liability management, stock valuations, and regulatory consulting. “Jeff Fair and his team have earned the

July 9, 2026
Hyperion in Philadelphia raises $14M to fund organic growth

Hyperion in Philadelphia raises $14M to fund organic growth

Hyperion Bancshares in Philadelphia raised $14.1 million to expand in its headquarters city and Atlanta. The $553 million-asset company said in a press release that it sold $8.6 million in common stock and $6.1 million in preferred stock. The capital is expected to support the bank’s strategy while preserving lending capacity and maintaining regulatory capital levels. Hyperion said it is not looking to use the capital from the oversubscribed offering

July 9, 2026
CBW Bank seeking OCC charter to expand digital assets operations

CBW Bank seeking OCC charter to expand digital assets operations

CBW Bank in Wichita, Kan., is seeking to switch to a national bank charter. The $66 million-asset bank applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to convert from a state banking charter. CBW is listed on the OCC's digital asset licensing applications webpage under the pending applications section. The bank adds to the growing list of financial institutions requesting OCC regulatory approval to operate in the digital

July 8, 2026
FDIC grants conditional approval for Bank of St. George in Utah

FDIC grants conditional approval for Bank of St. George in Utah

A group in St. George, Utah, has received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to form a bank. The organizers of the proposed Bank of St. George must raise $20 million of initial capital before opening the bank. The group initially applied to open the bank in 2019, but withdrew the application. They reapplied earlier this year. Bruce Jensen is the proposed CEO. The latest iteration of the bank

July 8, 2026
Axos in Nevada to buy fintech Arc Technologies

Axos in Nevada to buy fintech Arc Technologies

Axos Financial in Las Vegas has agreed to buy Arc Technologies, a fintech that serves technology and growth companies. The $29.2 billion-asset Axos said in a press release that it expects the deal to close later this month. The price wasn't disclosed. Arc provides cash management, capital markets, and AI-powered financial software solutions, helping businesses manage cash, access debt financing, and streamline financial operations. “Arc brings an exceptional team, a

July 8, 2026
Agricultural Banking to buy Buckley Bancorp in Illinois bank merger

Agricultural Banking to buy Buckley Bancorp in Illinois bank merger

Agricultural Banking Corp. in Paxton, Ill., has agreed to buy Buckley Bancorp in Buckley, Ill. Agricultural Banking, the holding company for the $200 million-asset Frederick Community Bank, said in a press release that it expects to buy the parent of the $50 million-asset Buckley State Bank in the fourth quarter. The price wasn't disclosed Selected Buckley State directors will join Frederick Community's board. “We are excited to partner with an

July 8, 2026
BNPL pioneer Klarna seeking ILC in Utah

BNPL pioneer Klarna seeking ILC in Utah

Klarna has applied for an industrial bank charter. The Swedish  Buy Now, Pay Later pioneer filed its applications with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Utah’s Department of Financial Institutions. Klarna has partnered with U.S. banks, including WebBank, to offer some of its financial services. “Our own banking license is the natural next step, giving customers tools to borrow responsibly and build financial confidence, while bringing greater competition, innovation, and choice to

July 8, 2026
Hometown in Mass. to buy Primary in N.H., convert to stock holding company

Hometown in Mass. to buy Primary in N.H., convert to stock holding company

Hometown Financial Group in Easthampton, Mass., has agreed to buy Primary Bank in Bedford, N.H., in a move that will include Hometown's conversion to a stock holding company. The $6.9 billion-asset Hometown said in a press release that it will pay $160 million in cash and stock for the $743 million-asset Primary. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. The transactions build on Hometown's plan to merge

July 8, 2026