Nir Zuk, founder of Palo Alto Networks, has applied with the Federal Reserve to buy a majority stake in Liberty Bank in Irvine, Calif. Zuk would become the $442 million-asset bank's largest shareholder if the purchase is approved, according to published reports. The plan is to buy shares held by private equity firms Stone Point Capital and Reverence Capital Partners. Pricing hasn't been disclosed. Betsy and Daniel Cohen are expected

Coastal Bend Bancshares in Corpus Christi, Texas, has agreed to buy First National Bank in Port Lavaca, Texas. The parent of the $661.7 million-asset First Community Bank said in a press release that it expects to buy the $381.3 million-asset First National in the second quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. First National has four branches. The acquisition "brings together two like-minded community banks that share the same values: local decision-making

BayCom in Walnut Creek, Calif., has shaken up its C-Suite. The company said in a press release that Christopher Baron had become its president and CEO and will join the board. Baron, who recently served as president of commercial and community banking at Banc of California, succeeded George Guarini, who founded the bank. William Black Jr. was named executive vice chairman and will join the board. He was executive vice

The proposed Alba Bank in Houston would aim to be a minority depository institution. Organizers also plan to raise $30 million to $40 million in initial capital, according to their application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Alba's founding philosophy centers on "local ownership, local management, and local decision-making," the application said, intending to deliver sophisticated financial products paired with highly personalized customer service. The primary target market is small

Catalyst Bancorp in Opelousas, La., has agreed to buy Lakeside Bancshares in Lake Charles, La. The $282.9 million-asset Catalyst said in a press release that it will pay $41.1 million in cash for the $385.7 million-asset Lakeside. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, priced Lakeside at 113.9% of its tangible book value. Lakeside "has built a tremendous reputation across Southwest Louisiana,” Joe Zanco, Catalyst's president

FinWise Bancorp in Murray, Utah, has a new leader. The company said in a press release that Jim Noone had become its CEO. He succeeded Kent Landvatter, who remains executive chairman. Noone was named the company's president in 2024 and bank CEO last year. He will retain those roles. “Kent and Jim have worked in close partnership throughout this transition,” Howard Reynolds, vice chairman and lead independent director, said in

Adams Community Bank in Adams, Mass., and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank in Pittsfield, Mass., are planning to merge. The mutuals said in a press release that they will create a $1.5 billion-asset institution with 15 branches that will operate under Adams Community's mutual holding company. Pittsfield Cooperative has $430 million of assets, while Adams Community has $1 billion of assets. “This milestone marks an important step forward for both of our institutions," Julie

Five Rivers Bank in Paramus, N.J., has a new CEO. The bank said in a press release that Thomas Coughlin had also become its president. Coughlin founded Bayonne Community Bank in New Jersey in 2000 and built it to $3.8 billion of assets when it he ended his tenure. He will succeed C. Mark Campbell. "Tom embodies what Five Rivers Bank stands for," Campbell said in the release. "He's a