GECU in El Paso, Texas, has agreed to buy Bank of the Southwest in Roswell, N.M. New Mexico National Financial plans to sell the $187 million-asset bank, including 12 branches and "substantially" all of its liabilities, to the $4.4 billion-asset credit union, according to an announcement by Olsen Palmer, which advised the bank. The price wasn't disclosed. The National Credit Union Administration must approve the deal, along with the Federal

Blue Ridge Bankshares in Charlottesville, Va., has been freed from a January 2024 consent order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The company made several big decisions since it was hit with the order, making Billy Beale as its CEO, raising capital, and exiting its Banking-as-a-Service vertical. "Months ago, we turned our attention to community banking with a focus on improving our customer experience while attracting new

Olympic Bancorp in Port Orchard, Wash., returned to the negotiating table with Heritage Financial in Olympia, Wash., after a rival bidder moved to cut its offer, giving new life to a deal that was ultimately priced at $176.6 million. The $7.1 billion-asset Heritage agreed in September to buy the $1.7 billion-asset parent of Kitsap Bank for $176.6 million in a deal expected to close in the first quarter. A Nov.

First United in Oakland, Md., will begin 2026 with a new CEO. The $2 billion-asset company said in a press release that Jason Rush will also become president on Jan. 1. Rush, the company's chief operating officer, will succeed Carissa Rodeheaver, who is retiring Rodeheaver will remain executive chairman until the company's May 7 annual meeting. Rush is expected to join the board.

Jewel Box Financial Services in Columbus, Wis., has agreed to buy Ambanc Financial Services in Beaver Dam, Wis. Jewel Box, the parent of the $661 million-asset Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, expects to buy the holding company for the $202 million-asset American Bank of Beaver Dam in the first quarter, according to an announcement by Olsen Palmer. Olsen Palmer advised Jewel Box. The price wasn't disclosed,

Activist investor Lawrence Seidman continues to pressure Blue Foundry Bancorp, this time pressing the Rutherford, N.J., company to replace its management team or find a buyer. Seidman, who says he owns about 0.8% of the $2.1 billion-asset company's stock, sent a letter to the board making his demands. Blue Foundry has lost money in each of the past 11 quarters. It had a 110.15% efficiency ratio in the third quarter.

Rosedale Bank in Baltimore has acquired the deposits and certain liabilities from Eastern Savings Bank in Hunt Valley, Md. The $1.3 billion-asset Rosedale also bought deposit account overdrafts, overdraft lines of credit, and certain other assets that belonged to Eastern Savings, according to an announcement by Olsen Palmer, which advised Rosedale. The pricing wasn't disclosed. No other loans were purchased.  

Richmond Mutual Bancorp. in Richmond, Ind., has agreed to buy Farmers Bancorp in Frankfort, Ind. The $1.5 billion-asset Richmond Mutual said in a press release that it will pay $82 million in stock for the $1.1 billion-asset Farmers. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, priced Farmers at 100% of its tangible book value. The combined bank will be rebranded before closing. Five Farmers' directors will