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

ChoiceOne Financial Services in Sparta, Mich., plans to launch an enhanced treasury services online platform this year. The $2.4 billion-asset company said in a press release that the new platform will target midsize businesses and municipalities that require enhanced reporting, security and payment capabilities.  The company also said it opened a loan production office in Oakland County, Mich, during the fourth quarter. The office will include commercial and mortgage lenders.

A well-known activist investor plans to nominate a director candidate to stand for election at the upcoming annual meeting of Peoples Financial in Biloxi, Miss. Stilwell Group in New York disclosed in a regulatory filing that it plans to nominate Rodney Blackwell, with Stewart Peck as its alternate nominee. “We believe management and the directors have ill-served the issuer’s shareholders, and the issuer should explore all possibilities to maximize shareholder

First Internet Bancorp in Fishers, Ind., has made progress with several fintech clients as it ramps up its Banking-as-a-Service platform. The $4.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that, during the fourth quarter, it went live with Increase and it provided payments services for Ramp’s small business bill pay product. First Internet also said it expects its partnership with Treasury Prime to be fully implemented in the first quarter

A legal tussle will prevent Republic First Bancorp in Philadelphia from holding director elections at tomorrow’s annual meeting. The $5.6 billion-asset Republic First disclosed in a regulatory filing that the Court of Common Pleas issued an order barring it from conducting a shareholder vote on director seats until a hearing is held on April 25. The order came in response to a lawsuit that a shareholder group that includes George

Spring Bank in Brookfield, Wis., has a new president. The $375 million-asset bank said in a press release that Heather Nelson had succeeded David Schuelke, who will remain CEO. “Expanding our leadership team and splitting the responsibilities of the CEO and president reflect Spring Bank’s 15 years of success and positions us for future growth,” Schuelke said in the release. “It also demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the personalized

Salisbury Bancorp in Lakeville, Conn., is looking to retrieve funds that were erroneously sent to a trust client. The $1.5 billion-asset company said in a press release that about $1 million was mistakenly distributed when a trust account was terminated in May 2020. The company’s management discovered the mishap in July 2022. Salisbury said it filed a complaint last December against the beneficiaries to recover the proceeds and reinstate the