Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

HNB National to buy Kearney Trust in merger of Missouri banks

HNB National to buy Kearney Trust in merger of Missouri banks

HNB National Bank in Hanibal, Mo., has agreed to buy Kearney Trust in Kearney, Mo. The $957 million-asset HNB said in a press release that it plans to buy the $313 million-asset Kearney in the second quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. “By partnering with HNB, our customers will gain access to a broader range of financial products and services,” Keith Doss, Kearney Trust's chairman, said in the release.

January 7, 2026
First Resource Bank in Minnesota passes leadership from father to son

First Resource Bank in Minnesota passes leadership from father to son

First Resource Bank in Minneapolis has new leadership. The $830 million-asset bank said in a press release that Aaron Siegle became CEO, and Charlie Anderson became president and chief operating officer on Jan. 1. Siegle succeeded his father, Tim, who remains chairman of holding company Ameri Financial Group. The elder Siegle is the bank's vice chairman. The younger Siegle was president. "Because of the willingness of our leadership to allow

January 7, 2026
Founding CEO steps aside at Integro Bank in Arizona

Founding CEO steps aside at Integro Bank in Arizona

Integro Bank in Phoenix has made a switch at the top. The bank said in a press release that Jim Malerba had become acting CEO. Malerba, a retired accountant, is on Integro's board. Malerba succeeded Thomas Inserra, who concluded his tenure with the bank on Dec. 31. "Integro Bank is entering its next chapter from a position of strength," Rick Schobert, Integro's chairman, said in the release. "We have built

January 7, 2026
Farming business buys large stake in Pacific Valley Bank in California

Farming business buys large stake in Pacific Valley Bank in California

Pacific Valley Bank in Salinas, Calif., has a new investor. Pacific Valley said in a press release that Taylor Fresh Foods, the parent company of Taylor Farms, bought a 16.3% ownership stake in the bank. The price wasn't disclosed. "For more than two decades, Pacific Valley Bank has operated as a locally owned community bank focused on relationship-based banking and disciplined growth," Anker Fanoe, Pacific Valley's CEO, said in the

January 7, 2026
California BanCorp selects chairman as its new CEO

California BanCorp selects chairman as its new CEO

California BanCorp in San Diego didn't have to look far to find its next CEO. The company said in a press release that David Rainer, its chairman, had succeeded Steven Shelton, who retired on Dec. 31. “On behalf of our board ... and all of us at the bank, I want to thank Steve for all he has done to help grow and develop California Bank of Commerce into a premier,

January 7, 2026
First Federal in Florida to buy NOLA Lending Group

First Federal in Florida to buy NOLA Lending Group

First Federal Bank in Lake City, Fla., has agreed to buy the mortgage division of FB Bancorp in New Orleans. The $4.1 billion-asset First Federal did not disclose how much it will pay the $1.2 billion-asset Fidelity for NOLA Lending Group. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. "Our mission is to provide mortgages from a financially stable institution that is a great place to work and

January 5, 2026
Bank adviser Kafafian Group bought by Wolf & Co.

Bank adviser Kafafian Group bought by Wolf & Co.

The Kafafian Group, an advisory practice focused on financial institutions, has been acquired by Wolf & Co. Wolf & Co., a national advisory, assurance, and tax firm, did not disclose how much it paid. Kafafian Group said in a LinkedIn post that it will be integrated as a line of service within the Wolf & Co. brand.

January 5, 2026
Mound City Bank in Wisconsin promotes insider as new CEO

Mound City Bank in Wisconsin promotes insider as new CEO

Mound City Bank in Platteville, Wis., has a new leader. The $516 million-asset bank said on its LinkedIn account that Mike Phillips has become its CEO. Phillips became the bank's president in 2024. Before that, he was chief lending officer at Bank of Prairie Du Sac.

January 5, 2026