Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Central Bancshares in Iowa to buy SENB Bank in Ill.

Central Bancshares in Iowa to buy SENB Bank in Ill.

Central Bancshares in Muscatine, Iowa, has agreed to buy McLaughlin Holding in Moline, Ill. The $1.1 billion-asset Central Bancshares said in a press release that it plans to buy the holding company for the $337 million-asset SENB Bank in the third quarter. The price wasn’t disclosed. SENB Bank has six branches in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. SENB Bank shares “our core community banking philosophy: empowered local management and employees dedicated

July 12, 2023
1st Source in Ind. discloses exposure to MOVEit breach

1st Source in Ind. discloses exposure to MOVEit breach

Another bank has disclosed exposure to the MOVEit file transfer cyberattack. The $8.3 billion-asset 1st Source in South Bend, Ind., disclosed in a regulatory filing that an unauthorized third-party gained access to sensitive client data, including personally identifiable information. The company said it deployed cybersecurity defenses which included patching the software, hardening the host server containing the MOVEit software and launching an internal investigation in partnership with outside cybersecurity forensic

July 12, 2023
BofA fined $150M for fake accounts, ‘junk fees’

BofA fined $150M for fake accounts, ‘junk fees’

Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., was fined $150 million by regulators based on claims it double charged overdraft fees, opened unauthorized card accounts, and withheld card-related bonuses from some customers. The $2.4 trillion-asset company will pay $90 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. It will also pay more than $80 million to customers. The

July 12, 2023
Peoples in Ohio lines up CEO succession in 2024

Peoples in Ohio lines up CEO succession in 2024

Peoples Bancorp in Marietta, Ohio, has set the stage for CEO succession. The $8.8 billion-asset company said in a press release that Chuck Sulerzyski will also retire as president and as a director on March 31, 2024. Tyler Wilcox, Peoples’ executive vice president of community banking, will succeed Sulerzyski and join the board on April 1. Wilcox was named chief operating officer, a transitional role until the takes the helm.

July 12, 2023
Global Credit Union in Alaska cuts 185 jobs

Global Credit Union in Alaska cuts 185 jobs

Global Credit Union in Anchorage, Alaska, has cut 185 jobs in five states, or roughly 8% of its workforce. The $11.7 billion-asset credit union told the Credit Union Times that the layoffs reflect reduced loan volume tied to elevated interest rates. Most of the cuts were lending-related, though the credit union plans to cut some technology and project management positions. The credit union has operations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho

July 10, 2023
Quontic in NY enters into written agreement with Fed

Quontic in NY enters into written agreement with Fed

Quontic Bank Holdings in New York faces limitations on distributing capital under an enforcement action with the Federal Reserve. The parent of the $584 million-asset Quontic Bank entered into a written agreement that requires Fed approval before it can pay dividends, repurchase stock or make any other capital distributions. Fed approval is also required before the company incurs, increases or guarantees debt. Quontic must provide a written plan for maintaining

July 7, 2023
CSBS: 95% of community bankers feel recession is here

CSBS: 95% of community bankers feel recession is here

Community bankers have become more pessimistic about the economic outlook, according to a quarterly survey by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. The CSBC said in a press release that its Community Bank Sentiment Index fell by 10 points to 73 in the second quarter – its lowest level since the index launched in 2019. Roughly 95% of the bankers surveyed said they believe the economy is already in a

July 7, 2023
California Bankers Association selects insider as next CEO

California Bankers Association selects insider as next CEO

The California Bankers Association didn’t have to look far to find its next CEO. The association said in a press release that Kevin Gould had also become its president. Gould, who joined the CBA in 2002, was director of state government relations. “As an experienced association executive who has been with the CBA more than 19 years, Kevin is uniquely qualified to lead the association,” Stan Ivie, the association’s chairman

July 6, 2023