Provident Financial Services in Iselin, N.J., has hired an outsider to serve as its first chief digital and innovation officer. The $13.7 billion-asset company said in a press release Monday that Ravi Vakacherla had accepted the post, which is a recasting of the bank’s chief information officer role. He also joined Provident’s executive leadership team. Vakacharla is responsible for digital initiatives, including strategy, data analytics, innovation, fintech partnerships and IT. He will

First Missouri Bank in Brookfield has a new name. The $377 million-asset bank has rebranded as Verimore Bank in a move that deemphasizes location and focuses on products and services. The rebranding "is the result of time spent asking bank customers, employees and community leaders about what we do well, where we can improve, and what sets us apart,” Kristie Stuewe, Verimore’s CEO, said in a press release. “In response to our customer

Allegiance Bancshares in Houston and CBTX in Houston have pushed back the termination date of their planned merger. The companies disclosed in regulatory filings that the termination date was changed from Aug. 2 to Nov. 1. Allegiance and CBTX “remain committed to the merger and obtaining” approval from the Federal Reserve, the companies said.The Fed is the only entity that hasn’t signed off on the combination. The companies, which plan to rebrand as

The Bank Slate and the American Bankers Association have an agreement where the banking blog will share content with the ABA Banking Journal.The agreement allows the ABA to pick up select content from The Bank Slate to include in its Daily NewsBytes coverage, with a particular focus on articles about M&A, personnel moves and de novo activity. Paul Davis, The Bank Slate's founder, is now a contributor to the ABA Banking

Bank of San Antonio in Texas has a new president. The bank, which is part of the $2.1 billion-asset Texas Partners Bank, said in a press release that Brandi Vitier had taken on the role. She previously served as an executive vice president and market executive.Vitier, with two colleagues, recently launched Stride, a free entrepreneurial education program for San Antonio business owners offered through a partnership with Texas A&M University-San Antonio.“The

MVB Financial in Fairmont, W.Va., has a new chairman. The $3 billion-asset company said in a press release Thursday that W. Marston Becker had taken on the role. Marston, who joined the board in November 2020, succeeded David Alvarez, who retired. "Marty’s leadership and experience have proven to be a great asset to the MVB board … as MVB continues to scale and execute our MVB-F1: Success Loves Speed Strategic Plan,” Larry

Raj Date, the former deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has joined the board of Customers Bancorp in West Reading, Pa. The $20.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that Date, a managing partner of investment and advisory firm Fenway Summer, will serve on its board compliance and risk committees. Date is also the co-founder of FS Vector, an advisory firm that counsels fintechs on regulatory strategy, compliance and

The Bancorp in Wilmington, Del., agreed to pay a nearly $1.8 million penalty to resolve alleged violations tied to commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).The $7.1 billion-asset company said the settlement was tied to an Aug. 24 order by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company did not admit or deny wrongdoing.The SEC, in a July 6 Wells Notice, had alleged that the company had committed violations the Securities Exchange Act, in