Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Solowin Holdings in Hong Kong in talks to buy U.S. bank charter

Solowin Holdings in Hong Kong in talks to buy U.S. bank charter

Solowin Holdings in Hong Kong is planning to buy a U.S.-licensed bank. The company, which specializes in traditional and digital assets, said in a press release that it "is in the advanced stages of negotiating" an acquisition through a designated affiliate. The acquisition would only involve the charter; all assets and liabilities would be removed before closing. The bank wasn't identified. The license would let Solowin offer services such as

September 2, 2025
CB Financial Services in Pa. sells underperforming securities

CB Financial Services in Pa. sells underperforming securities

CB Financial Services in Washington, Pa., has repositioned its balance sheet. The company said in a press release that it sold $129.6 million of investment securities at an after-tax loss of $9.3 million. The securities included $121.1 million of mortgage-backed securities/collateralized mortgage obligations, $5 million of U.S. government agency securities, and $3.5 million of municipal securities. The company said it plans to buy $117.8 million of higher-yielding securities. The moves

September 2, 2025
Potomac Bancshares in W.Va. to rebrand its bank

Potomac Bancshares in W.Va. to rebrand its bank

Bank of Charles Town in West Virginia is rebranding. Potomac Bancshares, the holding company, said in a press release that the bank will change its name to Potomac Bank on Nov. 3. The new name reflects the bank's growth and expanding regional presence. The new brand is designed to reflect the diverse communities that the bank serves. “While our name is evolving, our iconic tree logo endures as a symbol

September 2, 2025
Equity in Kansas to enter Nebraska with Frontier acquisition

Equity in Kansas to enter Nebraska with Frontier acquisition

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., has agreed to buy Frontier Holdings in Omaha, Neb. The $6.4 billion-asset Equity said in a press release that it will pay $122.8 million in cash and stock for the parent of the $1.4 billion-asset Frontier Bank. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Frontier at 123% of its tangible book value. Separately, Equity said it sold about $358.8 million

September 2, 2025
Land of Lincoln Credit Union to buy Williamsville State Bank in Illinois

Land of Lincoln Credit Union to buy Williamsville State Bank in Illinois

Land of Lincoln Credit Union in Decatur, Ill., has agreed to buy Williamsville State Bank and Trust in Illinois. The $475 million-asset credit union said in a press release that it will pay cash for the $97 million-asset bank. The price wasn't disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the first half of next year. Williamsville has three branches. “The acquisition is part of Land of Lincoln’s strategic growth

August 29, 2025
Washington bank shortens name

Washington bank shortens name

Pacific Crest Savings Bank in Lynnwood, Wash., has abbreviated its name. The bank said in a press release that it has rebranded as Pacific Crest Bank. The new name "allows us to better represent who we are today, while staying true to the values and relationships that have defined us for years," Sheryl Nilson, the bank's CEO, said in the release. "This new identity gives us the flexibility to expand

August 29, 2025
Old National-backed de novo gets conditional FDIC approval

Old National-backed de novo gets conditional FDIC approval

Organizers of a proposed de novo bank in Indianapolis are one step closer to opening. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. gave conditional approval to the group behind Generations Community Bank. The group must raise $24 million in initial capital before the proposed minority depository institution can open. Generations would also be a community development financial institution. Old National Bancorp in Evansville, Ind., is playing a leading role in the effort,

August 29, 2025
Group looks to open de novo bank in central Florida

Group looks to open de novo bank in central Florida

A group in Florida is looking to open a bank. Organizers of the proposed Portrait Bank in Winter Park applied to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Aug. 27. The filing wasn't immediately available. A group called E&J Focus in Winter Park submitted a trademark application for Portrait Bank. E&J's managers, based on corporation filings, are Erik Weiner and Jessica Tiscareno. Weiner was the central Florida market president for City National

August 29, 2025