Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Finward in Indiana released from MOU with FDIC, state regulator

Finward in Indiana released from MOU with FDIC, state regulator

Finward Bancorp in Munster, Ind., has been freed from another enforcement action. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that its bank was released from an August 2024 memorandum of understanding with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Finward was previously freed in August 2025 from a November 2023 consent order with the same regulators. That order was tied to Finward’s compliance with the Bank Secrecy

July 8, 2026
National Bankshares in Virginia sheds restructures its securities portfolio

National Bankshares in Virginia sheds restructures its securities portfolio

National Bankshares in Blacksburg, Va., sold underperforming securities. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it sold $131.9 million of securities as a pretax loss of $6.6 million. Proceeds were used to buy $127.3 million of higher-yielding securities. The company offset the hit with proceeds from the sale of its membership interest in Bearing Insurance Group. It should take less than two years for the company to recoup the

July 3, 2026
Bank7 in Oklahoma aims to buy Century Bank in New Mexico

Bank7 in Oklahoma aims to buy Century Bank in New Mexico

Bank7 in Oklahoma City has agreed to buy a controlling stake in Century Financial Services in Santa Fe, N.M. The $2 billion-asset Bank7 said in a press release that it plans to buy a 71% stake in the holding company for the $1.4 billion-asset Century Bank for $68 million in cash. The shares are being sold by a court-appointed receiver tied to KS StateBank v. Peters, et al., a pending

July 3, 2026
Patriot in Connecticut freed from January 2025 OCC formal agreement

Patriot in Connecticut freed from January 2025 OCC formal agreement

Patriot National Bancorp in Stamford, Conn., has been freed from an enforcement action. The $1.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released Patriot Bank from a January 2025 formal agreement. “This important milestone is a testament to the terrific team Patriot Bank has assembled to build America’s premier bank serving high-net-worth families," Steven Sugarman, the bank's president and CEO, said

July 3, 2026
Southern Bancorp in Arkansas to rebrand as Uplift Bank

Southern Bancorp in Arkansas to rebrand as Uplift Bank

Southern Bancorp in Arkadelphia, Ark., has chosen a new name. The company said in a press release that it will rebrand as Uplift Bank. "For 40 years, we've worked alongside individuals, families, businesses, and communities to create pathways to financial opportunity for everyone, no matter their zip code," Southern said in a LinkedIn post. "As we've grown, we've come to realize that our name should reflect that mission just as

July 3, 2026
Regions in Alabama buys investment bank Frazier Lanier

Regions in Alabama buys investment bank Frazier Lanier

Regions Financial in Birmingham, Ala., bought Frazier Lanier Company, an investment bank that specializes in municipal and corporate securities. The $161 billion-asset Regions did not disclose the price it paid for the Montgomery, Ala., investment bank. “By welcoming experienced bankers from Frazer Lanier to the Regions family, we are connecting Regions’ clients with even greater capabilities while advancing our long-term strategy for growth," John Turner, Regions' chairman, president and CEO,

July 3, 2026
MidMinnesota FCU to buy branch from Unity Bank in Wisconson

MidMinnesota FCU to buy branch from Unity Bank in Wisconson

MidMinnesota Federal Credit Union in Baxter has agreed to buy a branch in Clarissa, Minn., from Unity Bank, Augusta, Wis. The $834 million-asset credit union said in a press release that the all-cash deal should close in the fourth quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. The branch had $27 million in deposits and $3 million in loans. Hovde Group advised Unity Bank.

July 1, 2026
Commerce in Mo. to buy boutique investment bank Nolan & Associates

Commerce in Mo. to buy boutique investment bank Nolan & Associates

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to buy boutique investment bank Nolan & Associates in St. Louis, Mo. Nolan provides sell-side, buy-side and capital raise advisory services to business owners, private equity firms and corporations in industries that including building products, transportation, logistics, energy, healthcare, telecom, business services, manufacturing, distribution and agriculture. Nolan will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Commerce Bank. The price wasn't disclosed. “We

July 1, 2026