Citadel Credit Union in Exton, Pa., will launch a business banking division in August after hiring a team of bankers from Santander Bank.The $5 billion-asset credit union said on its website that it will look to form strategic partnerships in an around Philadelphia. “We are ready to hit the ground running and partner with businesses of any size in the region,” Jeff March, Citadel’s president and CEO, said in the release.

Lakeland Bancorp in Oak Ridge, N.J., has expanded its health care lending services to four new states.The $10.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it has started making loans in Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio and Virginia. Lakeland’s health care banking team has been operating in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania since 2019. The platform has originated more than $500 million of loans since its formation. “We’re

A dispute among Vernon Hill, Republic First Bancorp and the Philadelphia company’s investors is ongoing. Hill, who recently announced plans to resign on Aug. 8, claimed in a July 6 letter that four of the $5.7 billion-asset company’s directors breached his 2021 employment agreement as wrangling escalated in recent months. Hill alleged the group, led by former CEO Harry Madonna, attempted to remove him as chairman without giving him a required 30-day written

Amerant Bancorp in Coral Gables, Fla., has become the official bank of the Miami Heat. The $7.6 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that it agreed to a multi-year deal with the professional basketball team. The deal includes marketing and business development opportunities, including prominent courtside signage, VIP client events and access to appearances by Heat players. Amerant did not disclose the price it paid for the sponsorship. “Through this strategic partnership

A former executive at Alloy Labs Alliance is leading an effort to form a digital bank for indigenous people. Amber Buker, who recently stepped down as Alloy’s director of insights, announced plans for Totem in a tweet, calling the startup the “only digital bank by and for indigenous people.” Alloy disclosed that it is an investor in the venture.The plan is to go live with the bank next year. Totem has yet

Bankers Helping Bankers, a program launched by FedFis and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, has launched a fintech venture capital fund.    The Bankers Helping Bankers Fund will support community bankers’ engagement with emerging technology providers. Bankers Helping Bankers did not disclose the targeted size of the fund.    “For years founders have been looking for a fintech fund that can deliver where others have fallen short,” Tanner Mayo,

The Independent Community Bankers of America has hired a Maryland banker to serve as its executive in charge of chief government relations and public policy. The association said in a press release Monday that it hired Anne Balcer. She previously served as general counsel and internal auditor at Forbright Bank in Chevy Chase, Md. Forbright was previously known as Congressional Bank. “We’re thrilled to welcome another fellow community banker to the ICBA team,”

Sword Financial in Horicon, Wis., has agreed to buy Community Bancshares of Wisconsin in Grafton.Sword, the parent of the $1.2 billion-asset Horicon Bank, expects to complete the purchase of the holding company for the $247 million-asset Cornerstone Community Bank in the fourth quarter.Sword, which did not disclose the price it will pay, will have $1.1 billion of loans and $1.3 billion of deposits after the deal closes. Performance Trust Capital advised