Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Liberty Bancorp. in Ill. buys North Adams State Bank

Liberty Bancorp. in Ill. buys North Adams State Bank

Liberty Bancorp. in Liberty, Ill., has acquired North Adams Bancshares in Ursa, Ill. The $128 million-asset Liberty bought the parent of the $47 million-asset North Adams State Bank on Nov. 10. The price wasn’t disclosed. “Our two banks have always been friendly competitors, and we have worked well together for decades, such as helping each other with larger loans, and bouncing ideas off of one another” Mark Field, Liberty’s chairman

November 14, 2023
New legal battle arises between Va. bank, W.Va. governor

New legal battle arises between Va. bank, W.Va. governor

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, his family and related parties have filed a lawsuit against Carter Bankshares, alleging that the Martinsville, Va., company has violated federal banking regulations. The family, which has legally sparred with the $4.1 billion-asset Carter for years, alleged in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia that the company has barred family businesses from taking actions, including turning

November 14, 2023
Middlefield in Ohio sets stage for next leader

Middlefield in Ohio sets stage for next leader

Middlefield Banc Corp. in Middlefield, Ohio, is preparing for its next CEO. The $1.8 billion-asset company said in a press release that Ronald Zimmerly Jr. will succeed James Heslop II on Dec. 31. Heslop, who is retiring, will also step down from the board. The board will be reduced to 12 directors. “Ron is a proven leader who brings over 35 years of experience as an active member of the

November 14, 2023
First Citizens expands community pact to reflect SVB purchase

First Citizens expands community pact to reflect SVB purchase

First Citizens BancShares in Raleigh, N.C., amended its community benefits plan, upholding some of the commitments Silicon Valley Bank had made prior to its March failure. The $214 billion-asset First Citizens bought the failed Silicon Valley Bank, which had outstanding commitments tied to its 2021 acquisition of Boston Private Bank. First Citizens’ expanded commitment with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition applies to northern California and Massachusetts. The agreement adds $6.5 billion to

November 14, 2023
ICBA Bancard rebrands as ICBA Payments

ICBA Bancard rebrands as ICBA Payments

ICBA Bancard, the payments unit of the Independent Community Bankers of America, has rebranded. The ICBA said in a press release that it renamed the unit as ICBA Payments and created a new logo. TCM Bank, which supports the unit, also introduced a new logo that ties into ICBA Payments. “As we evolved from a card-focused company to embrace a wide spectrum of payments offerings, changing our name to reflect

November 14, 2023
Capital City in Fla. restating results to fix mortgage-related issue

Capital City in Fla. restating results to fix mortgage-related issue

Capital City Bank Group in Tallahassee, Fla., plans to restate several quarters of financial results to correct its handling of transactions between its Capital City Bank and Capital City Home Loans units. The $4.1 billion-asset company said in a regulatory filing that certain mortgage loan purchases were improperly recorded in its financial statements. The issue impacted Capital City’s earnings for 2022 and the first half of this year. The restatement

November 13, 2023
First Financial in Indiana to buy SimplyBank in Tennessee

First Financial in Indiana to buy SimplyBank in Tennessee

First Financial in Terre Haute, Ind., has agreed to buy SimplyBank in Dayton, Tenn. The $4.8 billion-asset First Financial said in a press release that it will pay $73.4 million in cash for the $702 million-asset SimplyBank. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. SimplyBank has 10 branches in Tennesse and three locations in Georgia. “SimplyBank provides us with an opportunity to deepen our commitment to the

November 13, 2023
Fidelity D&D Bancorp in Pa. sells securities at a loss

Fidelity D&D Bancorp in Pa. sells securities at a loss

Fidelity D&D Bancorp in Dunmore, Pa., restructured its balance sheet. The $2.5 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it recently sold $35.6 million of available-for-sale securities at a $6.5 million loss. The loss will be reflected in the company’s fourth-quarter financial results. Fidelity said it used the $29.1 million of proceeds to pay down short-term borrowings, which replenished its available borrowing capacity.

November 13, 2023