First Republic Bank in San Francisco announced that Chairman and co-CEO Jim Herbert will take a medical leave of absence tied to a coronary health issue.The $172.6 billion-asset bank said in a press release Monday that Herbert’s leave will begin on Jan. 1 and should last about six months. He will also step down from the board, though the bank said he is expected to be reappointed when his leave

Byline Bancorp in Chicago plans to close six branches and sell a portfolio of bank-owned real estate.The $6.7 billion-asset company said in a press release Friday that it will also reduce its office space. The branch closures, which will take place next year, represent about 14% of Byline’s network. The real estate portfolio includes former branch locations and other properties. Byline said it will record $15 million in charges tied to

Ameris Bancorp in Atlanta has acquired a fintech that provides equipment-finance loans to small and midsize businesses. The $22.5 billion-asset company said in a press release Monday that it bought Balboa Capital is Costa Mesa, Calif. Ameris did not disclose the price it paid, though the company said it paid cash. Ameris said the acquisition will increase its dealings in point-of-sale financing. Balboa Capital's originations are expected to exceed $415 million

Meta Financial in Sioux Falls, S.D., will rebrand next year after selling its Meta-related rights and trademarks to another company. The $6.7 billion-asset Meta disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that it agreed on Dec. 7 to sell the rights to Beige Key LLC for $60 million. As part of the agreement, Meta will phase out and cease all use of the “Meta” brand. Beige Key is affiliated with Facebook, which announced

Atlantic Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., is planning a third round of branch closures. The $19.9 billion-asset company said in a press release Friday that it will shutter 16 locations, representing about 12% of its total branch network, by March 1. Atlantic Union also plans to close an operations center and sell 21,500 shares of Visa Class B common stock. The company said it expects to incur $18.1 million of one-time expenses

An activist investor plans to nominate three candidates for the board of Republic First Bancorp in Philadelphia. Driver Management also wants the $5.4 billion-asset Republic to replace Vernon Hill, the company’s CEO, with an independent chairman. The investor has also voiced its opposition to a plan by Republic First to raise more capital. Driver has submitted a notice of intent to nominate Peter Bartholow, Pamela Bundy and Richard Sinkfield III to stand

Valley National Bancorp in Wayne, N.J., has a new bank president. The $41 billion-asset Valley said in a press release Thursday that Thomas Iadanza will oversee the bank’s day-to-day operations, including commercial banking, retail banking, digital products, credit, customer experience and financial services.  Iadanza recently served as chief banking officer. “Tom is an exceptional leader who has played an integral role in Valley’s growth,” Ira Robbins, Valley’s CEO, said in the release. “As

A big shareholder of Pacific Enterprise Bancorp has voiced his opposition to the Irvine, Calif., company’s pending sale to BayCom in Walnut Creek, Calif. The $2.1 billion-asset BayCom agreed in September to buy the $647 million-asset Pacific Enterprise for $53.1 million in stock. The deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter, priced Pacific Enterprise at 87% of its tangible book value. Shaul Kopelowitz, who holds about 9.9% of