Cape Cod 5 in Hyannis, Mass., and Fidelity Bank in Leominster, Mass., are merging under the same holding company. The $5.5 billion-asset Cape Cod 5 and the $1.5 billion-asset Fidelity said in a press release that they will operate independently as part of Mutual Bancorp. The mutuals have a combined total of 39 branches. Matt Burke, Cape Cod 5’s chairman and CEO, will have the same titles at Mutual Bancorp.

Central Plains Bancshares in Grand Island, Neb., and SR Bancorp in Bound Brook, N.J., are progressing with their mutual conversions. The $438 million-asset Central Plains said in a press release that it completed the subscription offering for its mutual-to-stock conversion. Given “sufficient orders,” Central Plains said a community offering or syndicated offering isn’t necessary. Separately, the $1.1 billion-asset SR Bancorp closed its mutual-to-stock conversion, as well as its acquisition of

Atlantic Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., has sold 27 properties in Virginia as part of a sale-leaseback transaction. The $20.6 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold 25 branches, a drive through and a parking lot to an affiliate of Blue Owl Capital for $45.8 million. Atlantic Union agreed to lease the properties for an initial 17-year period, with renewal options. The rent can increase by 1.5%

Merchants & Marine Bancorp in Pascagoula, Miss., has agreed to buy Mississippi River Bank in Belle Chasse, La. The $659 million-asset Merchants & Marine said in a press release that it expects to complete its purchase of the $128 million-asset Mississippi River Bank in the first quarter. The price wasn’t disclosed. Mississippi River Bank will retain its brand as a division of Merchants & Marine Bank. Mike Bush, Mississippi River

BankTech Ventures, an investment vehicle backed by several community banks, has invested in Vero Technologies, a wholesale financing and loan servicing platform. Vero said in a press release that it raised $8.5 million of Series A funding led by BankTech Ventures. Other participants included the Independent Community Bankers of America, Sopra Steria Ventures, Antler, Arcadia Funds and AAF Management. Vero said it will use the capital to accelerate the growth of its lending-as-a-service

Glen Burnie Bancorp in Glen Burnie, Md., has lined up its next CEO.   The $364 million-asset Glen Burnie said in a press release that Mark Hanna will join the company as an executive vice president on Oct. 2. He will succeed John Long as president and CEO on Oct. 16.   Long had announced plans to retire earlier this year.   Hanna previously served as president and CEO at

Eastern Bankshares in Boston has agreed to buy Cambridge Bancorp in Cambridge, Mass., and sell its own insurance unit to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The $22 billion-asset Eastern said in a press release that it will pay $528 million in stock for the $5.5 billion-asset Cambridge. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Cambridge at 114% of its tangible book value. Eastern Insurance is

A group of Sikh-Americans is looking to form a bank in New Jersey that would serve their community. The proposed Five Rivers Bank in Paramus, N.J., would be state-chartered, according to organizers’ application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The group plans to raise $33.5 million to $43.5 million in initial capital. While Five Rivers would have a focus on the needs of Sikh-American individuals and businesses, it will also