Chris Sawyer has become president and CEO of Grand Bank for Savings in Hattiesburg, Miss. Sawyer, who had been the $107 million-asset bank’s chief financial officer, made the announcement via an update on his LinkedIn profile. Sawyer, who joined Grand in 2019, was president of Peoples Bank of Alabama from 2007 to 2014. He was a regional financial officer at Regions Bank from 1995 to 2006. Ed Langton had been

Atlantic Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., is looking to address an issue with some customers’ accounts. The $20 billion-asset Atlantic Union “is working diligently” with a vendor after customers reported that deposits disappeared from their accounts without any notice. The company said the issue stems from a system change by the unnamed vendor.  “I would like to offer my personal apology to any of our customers who were impacted,” John Asbury,

Western Commerce Bancshares of Carlsbad in New Mexico has agreed to buy Western Bancshares of Clovis in New Mexico. Western Commerce, the holding company for the $617 million-asset Western Commerce Bank, said in a press release that it expects to complete the purchase of the $64.4 million-asset parent of Western Bank of Clovis in the first quarter. The price wasn’t disclosed. The deal “will only make both banks stronger,” Kenneth

Central Pacific Financial in Honolulu will soon have a new leader. The $7.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that Arnold Martines will become its CEO on Jan. 1. He will succeed Paul Yonamine. Martines, who will also join the board, is the company’s president and chief operating officer. Central Pacific also said that Catherine Ngo, its executive vice chairman, will become chairman. "I have had four great years

First Capital in Corydon, Ind., has its next CEO lined up.   The $1.2 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that Michael Frederick will become president and CEO of its First Harrison Bank on April 1.   Frederick, First Capital's chief financial officer, will become the company’s president and CEO on July 1.   Frederick will succeed William Harrod, who will retire on those dates.

Bank Irvine has officially opened. The California de novo bank debuted on Tuesday, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Organizers received conditional approval from the FDIC on Aug. 24, which required the group to raise $25 million to open the bank. The group, which plans to open a second branch in Encinitas, Calif., applied with the FDIC in September. “The bank plans to serve the banking needs of small- and

A de novo bank planned in Minneapolis is seeking to become a minority financial institution that would offer Shariah-compliant products and services. Organizers recently submitted an application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for AarBank. More than 51% of the voting stock would be owned by minority individuals, according to the application. “The organizers aim to achieve financial success in serving the broad needs of the community and the people

Centric Financial in Harrisburg, Pa., explored several mergers, including a merger of equals, before agreeing to be sold to First Commonwealth Financial in Indiana, Pa. The $9.5 billion-asset First Commonwealth agreed on Aug. 30 to buy the $1 billion-asset Centric for $144 million. Centric and its investment bank began a series of discussions with two unnamed banks about a potential sale during the second half of 2020, according to a