Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Central Pacific taps insider as next leader

Central Pacific taps insider as next leader

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

October 21, 2022
First Capital in Indiana finalizes CEO succession

First Capital in Indiana finalizes CEO succession

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.

October 21, 2022
De novo Bank Irvine opens in California

De novo Bank Irvine opens in California

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

October 20, 2022
Proposed de novo would offer Shariah-compliant products

Proposed de novo would offer Shariah-compliant products

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

October 20, 2022
How First Commonwealth connected with Centric

How First Commonwealth connected with Centric

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

October 20, 2022
First Internet, MainStreet share BaaS updates

First Internet, MainStreet share BaaS updates

First Internet Bancorp in Fishers, Ind., and MainStreet Bancshares in Fairfax, Va., remain committed to their Banking-as-a-Service platforms. BaaS has gained more scrutiny from regulators, with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency hitting Blue Ridge Bank with an enforcement order and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau expressing an interest in banks’ dealings with fintech. “We remain focused on our fintech and Banking-as-a-Service initiatives as a way to grow

October 20, 2022
Silvergate no longer on pace to create stablecoin in 2022

Silvergate no longer on pace to create stablecoin in 2022

Silvergate Capital in La Jolla, Calif., is no longer on pace to create its own stablecoin in 2022. Alan Lane, the $15.5 billion-asset company’s CEO, made the disclosure during a conference call to discuss quarterly earnings. He said Silvergate is continuing to work with its regulators while also working on building compliance and operational “muscle.” “We're certainly disappointed that it looks like we're gonna miss our goal of launching it

October 19, 2022
U.S. Bancorp on pace to buy MUFG Union on Dec. 1

U.S. Bancorp on pace to buy MUFG Union on Dec. 1

U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis is on pace to buy MUFG Union Bank in San Francisco on Dec. 1. The $601 billion-asset company said in a press release that it received a green light from the Japanese Financial Services Agency, completing all the approvals needed to complete the $8 billion acquisition. The Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. all recently approved the deal. “We

October 19, 2022