Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

CoastalSouth in S.C. plans stock offering

CoastalSouth in S.C. plans stock offering

CoastalSouth Bancshares in Hilton Head, S.C., is planning to sell common stock. The $2.2 billion-asset company's registration statement will also allow certain shareholders to sell shares. The number of shares and pricing were not included. CoastalSouth said that proceeds from the shares it sells will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes that could include supporting our organic growth, funding acquisitions, branch expansion, and repaying debt. The filing

June 9, 2025
Main Street Financial in Ohio parts ways with CEO

Main Street Financial in Ohio parts ways with CEO

Main Street Financial in Wooster, Ohio, has parted ways with its CEO. The $1.4 billion-asset company said in a press release that it terminated the employment of Jay VanSickle II without cause, effective June 3. VanSickle was also removed from the company's board. Mark Witmer, the company's executive chairman, was named president and CEO. VanSickle was CEO of Wayne Savings Bancshares when it merged with Main Street in May 2024.

June 9, 2025
Commerce Bancorp to buy Holmes County Bank in Mississippi

Commerce Bancorp to buy Holmes County Bank in Mississippi

Commerce Bancorp in Greenwood, Miss., has applied to buy Holmes County Corp. in Lexington, Miss. The parent of the $983 million-asset Bank of Commerce applied with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on June 5 to acquire the $154 million-asset Holmes County Bank. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. “Holmes County Bank is the perfect merger partner for Bank of Commerce,” Bryan Thornhill,

June 9, 2025
AI loan intelligence platform Parlay Finance raises $2 million

AI loan intelligence platform Parlay Finance raises $2 million

Parlay Finance, an AI-powered loan intelligence system, raised $2 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by JAM FINTOP. Parlay will use the proceeds to continue scaling its technology nationwide. The platform's capabilities include digital customer onboarding, information verification, and an AI-powered decision management system to streamline processes for Small Business Administration loans. "JAM FINTOP's investment and network of banks creates a powerful multiplier effect for our

June 9, 2025
Teton Capital reportedly pressing Atlantic Union to find efficiencies

Teton Capital reportedly pressing Atlantic Union to find efficiencies

Teton Capital, an investment firm led by David Sokol, is reportedly pushing for changes at Atlantic Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va. Teton bought an undisclosed stake in the company, though it is below the 5% that would trigger a regulatory filing, according to Bloomberg. The investment firm is reportedly pressing Atlantic Union, which just bought Sandy Spring Bancorp in Maryland, to cut operational costs, shrink its board, and adjust executive

June 6, 2025
Fiserv buying out partner in Irish joint venture AIB Merchant Services

Fiserv buying out partner in Irish joint venture AIB Merchant Services

Fiserv is planning to buy out the joint venture partner behind AIB Merchant Services. Fiserv said in a press release that it agreed to buy the 49.9% stake in AIBMS that it doesn't already own from AIB Group. The joint venture was created in 2007 in Ireland. The price wasn't disclosed. “We have enjoyed a strong partnership with AIB Group, as together we grew AIBMS into one of the leading

June 6, 2025
Capital One CEO to receive $30M award for closing Discover deal

Capital One CEO to receive $30M award for closing Discover deal

Capital One Chairman and CEO Richard Fairbank will receive a one-time award worth about $30 million in connection with the McLean, Va., company’s purchase of Discover Financial Services. Capital One’s compensation committee granted Fairbank 153,351 restricted stock units that should vest in five years. The settlement will be evenly split between cash and stock based on the company’s average stock price over the 15 days ahead of vesting. Fairbank isn’t

June 6, 2025
NB Bancorp to buy Provident in Mass. for $212 million

NB Bancorp to buy Provident in Mass. for $212 million

NB Bancorp in Needham, Mass., has agreed to buy Provident Bancorp in Amesbury, Mass. The $5.5 billion-asset company said in a press release that it will pay $211.8 million in cash and stock for the $1.6 billion-asset Provident. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Provident at 93% of its tangible book value. BankProv has seven branches, $1.2 billion in total deposits and $1.3 billion

June 5, 2025