Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Bridgewater in Minnesota lines up $50M at-the-market offering

Bridgewater in Minnesota lines up $50M at-the-market offering

Bridgewater Bancshares in St. Louis Park, Minn., could sell up to $50 million in common stock over time. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it hired Piper Sandler to oversee an at-the-market offering program. Under the program, Bridgewater could sell shares from time to time at prevailing market prices. Piper Sandler will receive a commission of 2.5% of the gross sales price of any shares sold under the

February 28, 2026
FDIC approves another ILC application

FDIC approves another ILC application

Edward Jones has received regulatory approval to form Edward Jones Bank. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions signed off on the brokerage's request for an industrial loan charter. Edward Jones Bank will allow the firm to expand its reserve line of credit portfolio nationwide. The bank will also take deposits, including plans to offer CDs to clients. "This approval marks an exciting moment in

February 27, 2026
Morgan Stanley aims to form national trust bank for crypto dealings

Morgan Stanley aims to form national trust bank for crypto dealings

Morgan Stanley in New York has applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter. The investment bank has proposed forming Morgan Stanley Digital Trust to offer custody and related services for cryptocurrencies and other digital instruments. The trust bank is not seeking deposit insurance. The proposed trust bank would support Morgan Stanley’s wealth management division, which serves individual investors, small- and midsize businesses and

February 27, 2026
BTC Bank parent to buy Tri-County Trust in Missouri

BTC Bank parent to buy Tri-County Trust in Missouri

Bethany Bankshares in Bethany, Mo., has agreed to buy Bancshares of Glasgow in Glasgow, Mo. Bethany, the holding company of the $1.6 billion-asset BTC Bank, said in a press release that it expects to buy the parent of the $61.5 million-asset Tri-County Trust Co. in the second quarter. The price wasn't disclosed. “We are excited to continue our strategic growth across Missouri,” Doug Fish, BTC Bank's president and CEO, said

February 27, 2026
Metropolitan in New York to raise $200M via public offering

Metropolitan in New York to raise $200M via public offering

Metropolitan Bank Holding in New York plans to raise about $205 million by selling common stock. The company said in a press release that it will sell 2.1 million shares in a public offering at $85 each. Metropolitan could sell another 15% of its stock if there is enough demand. The company plans to use the proceeds to support its organic growth, investments in the bank and working capital, among

February 26, 2026
Willamette Valley Bank in Ore. to exit residential mortgage lending

Willamette Valley Bank in Ore. to exit residential mortgage lending

Willamette Valley Bank in Salem, Ore, will exit residential mortgage lending. The $452 million-asset bank said in a press release that it will stop making those loans on March 31. “The residential mortgage industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the growth of online and non‑bank lenders and a prolonged period of higher interest rates,” Ryan Dempster, the bank's president and CEO, said in the release. “These conditions

February 26, 2026
Arrow Financial to buy Adirondack Bancorp in New York

Arrow Financial to buy Adirondack Bancorp in New York

Arrow Financial in Glens Falls, N.Y., has agreed to buy Adirondack Bancorp in Utica, N.Y. The $4.5 billion-asset Arrow said in a press release that it will pay $89.1 million in cash and stock for the $942 million-asset Adirondack. The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter, priced Adirondack at 138.2% of its tangible book value. The companies "are two deeply rooted and culturally aligned community banks

February 26, 2026
FS Bancorp in Washington to buy Pacific West Bancorp in Oregon

FS Bancorp in Washington to buy Pacific West Bancorp in Oregon

FS Bancorp in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., has agreed to buy Pacific West Bancorp in West Linn, Ore. The $3.2 billion-asset FS Bancorp said in a press release that it will pay $34.6 million in cash and stock for the $386 million-asset Pacific West. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, priced Pacific West at 95% of its tangible book value. The acquisition "represents a compelling step

February 26, 2026