BankTech Ventures, an investment fund backed by banks, announced a new round of investments totaling $15 million over the past six months. The fund said that new portfolio companies and follow-on investments included: Coinbax, which deals in stablecoin payments via smart contracts with built-in risk controls and reversibility. FileJet, which offers automated compliance, reporting, and real-time tracking for all business types. Infinant, which provides financial institutions with technology to power

Bank of Charlotte County in Phenix, Va., is saying goodbye to its leader. The $228 million-asset bank announced in a LinkedIn post that Dexter Gilliam will retire as president and CEO on June 1. The post did not identify his successor. "Dexter's leadership, dedication, and commitment to our employees, customers, and communities has helped shape our organization into what it is today," the post said. "Throughout his tenure, he has

New York fintech GrailPay raised $10.5 million in Series A funding. The fintech, which is building a risk intelligence platform for ACH and bank payments, said the funding round was led by MissionOG and included participation EJF Ventures, Counterpart Ventures, Construct Capital, Commerce Ventures, and SSC Venture Partners.  GrailPay said it plans to use the funds to expand its risk-detection infrastructure. GrailPay has raised a total of $17.2 million since its

Candescent in Atlanta has a new leader. The platform said in a press release that Jason Edelboim had become its CEO, succeeding Brendan Tansill, who stepped down. Edelboim was CEO of iCIMS, an AI platform for talent acquisition. "Banking is moving from digital to intelligent, and Candescent is at the forefront of this shift," Edelboim said in a press release. "The winners will be the institutions and the platforms that

Keweenaw Financial in Hancock, Mich., has agreed to buy Range Financial in Marquette, Mich. Keweenaw, the parent of the $1.1 billion-asset Superior National Bank, said in a press release that it plans to buy the $635 million-asset holding company for Range Bank in the fourth quarter. The price of the all-stock deal wasn't disclosed. Range Bank has eight branches. Five Range Bank directors will join Keweenaw's board. Jamey Markham, Range

Colony Bankcorp in Fitzgerald, Ga., has agreed to buy First Reliance Bancshares in Florence, S.C. The $3.9 billion-asset Colony said in a press release that it will pay $163 million in stock for the $1.1 billion-asset First Reliance. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced First Reliance at 162% of its tangible book value. “This partnership represents a truly transformational milestone for both Colony and

Organizers of the proposed TriCoast Bank in Burbank, Calif., have received conditional approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The group must raise $25 million in capital before the bank can open. Organizers originally applied with the FDIC and state regulator in October.

BCB Bancorp in Bayonne, N.J., has suspended its quarterly dividend as its new CEO looks to shore up capital. The company said ina press release that the suspension applies to common and preferred stock. The board also voted to suspend its 2026 amended and restated dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan. "We will be undergoing a fulsome evaluation of the bank’s credit portfolios, which will take some time," Tom O'Brien,