Primis Financial in McLean, Va., expects its bulked-up mortgage business to break even in the first quarter. The $3.6 billion-asset company has been aggressively growing Primis Mortgage by hiring lenders. The expansion lowered the company’s pretax net income by $2.7 million in the fourth quarter. The mortgage division had $27.5 million of loans on Dec. 31. It is now licensed in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Primis said elevated expenses

Brent Beardall is set to return to Washington Federal in Seattle just weeks after surviving a plane crash in Utah. The $21.7 billion-asset company said in a press release that Beardall, its president and CEO, expects to be discharged from the hospital on Feb. 10 and return to full-time duty three days later. Beardall is currently undergoing extensive physical therapy at the Rehabilitation Hospital at the University of Utah Health.

Bank of South Carolina in Charleston has finalized its CEO succession. The $653 million-asset company said in a press release that Fleetwood Hassell will also retire as president on Sept. 30. Hassell will be succeeded by Eugene Walpole IV, Bank of South Carolina’s chief financial officer. Hassell, who co-founded the bank in 1986 and has been its leader since 2012, will remain on the board. Walpole, who joined the bank

First Internet Bancorp in Fishers, Ind., plans to exit the consumer mortgage business. The $4.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that the decision reflects a “steep decline in mortgage volumes and the negative outlook for mortgage lending over the next several years.” The exit, which will take place in the first quarter, includes the company’s nationwide digital direct-to-consumer platform that originates residential loans for sale in the secondary

PBCO Financial in Medford, Ore., will have a new CEO this summer. The $800 million-asset parent of People’s Bank of Commerce said in a press release that Julie Beattie, its president, will succeed Ken Trautman as CEO on July 1. Trautman, who is retiring, will remain on the company’s board. Trautman co-founded the bank with Mike Sickels in 1998. "We are indebted to Ken for his dedicated service and leadership

Signature Bank of Arkansas in Fayetteville has promoted an insider to oversee its mortgage operations. The $935 million-asset unit of White River Bancshares said in a press release that Kim Whedbee has become president of its mortgage division. She succeeded Christine Morrison, who has taken on a role in Signature’s human resources department. Whedbee, who joined the bank in 2014, has served as a mortgage lender and underwriter. “We’re always

Cullen/Frost Bankers in San Antonio, Texas, is moving forward with a return to mortgage lending. The $52.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it closed its first loan under a mortgage pilot program that largely included its own employees. It has been more than 20 years since Cullen/Frost had a meaningful presence in mortgages. “That's just the start of many good things ahead of us this year,” Phil

The Independent Community Bankers of America has hired a director for its ThinkTECH Accelerator. The banking association said in a press release that Stephanie Foster will be responsible for planning and executing the day-to-day operations of the accelerator’s programs. Foster previously served as chief administrative officer for XY Planning Network, an advisory service for Gen Y and Gen Z clients. She has also held management roles at Finastra, Fiserv and