Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

MVB to let fintech clients offer Bitcoin-related products

MVB to let fintech clients offer Bitcoin-related products

MVB Financial in Fairmont, W.Va., has entered into a partnership to allow its fintech clients to offer Bitcoin-related products. The $2.7 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that the collaboration with Victor Technologies and NYDIG, will integrate Bitcoin into MVB’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) offerings. MVB has more than 50 fintech, payments and gaming clients. “NYDIG has a vision to make Bitcoin more accessible,” Larry Mazza, MVB’s president and CEO, said in

September 7, 2021
Meta Financial CEO retiring to start unbanked initiative

Meta Financial CEO retiring to start unbanked initiative

Meta Financial in Sioux Falls, S.D., will soon have a new CEO.The $7.1 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that Brad Hanson will also retire as president and as co-president and CEO of MetaBank on Sept. 30. He will serve as a strategic adviser until the end of 2022. Hanson plans to “focus on entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors,” including a project that will provide more-efficient cross-border remittance between the

September 7, 2021
First US Bancshares to close consumer finance unit

First US Bancshares to close consumer finance unit

First US Bancshares in Birmingham, Ala., will shutter its consumer finance unit.The $947 million-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it will close the 20 locations in Alabama and southeast Mississippi associated with Acceptance Loan Company. The unit will continue to service its remaining loan portfolio as management prepares for its closure.The unit made personal loans, along with loans for automobiles, ATVs, smaller equipment and household appliances.The closure is

September 7, 2021
Bank investor buys Rochelle State in Georgia

Bank investor buys Rochelle State in Georgia

ST Hldgs in Orlando, Fla., has acquired Rochelle State Bank in Rochelle, Ga.ST Hldgs, a bank holding company formed to invest in community banks, said in a Monday press release that it bought the $34 million-asset Rochelle State on June 4. The company did not disclose the price it paid.“ST Hldgs … and Rochelle State Bank remain committed to Wilcox County and southern Georgia,” Rajib Das, chairman of ST Hldgs

September 7, 2021
Cadence divesting seven branches in Mississippi

Cadence divesting seven branches in Mississippi

First Bancshares in Hattiesburg, Miss., has agreed to buy seven branches in northeast Mississippi from Cadence Bancorp. in Houston. The $18.7 billion-asset Cadence is selling the branches as part of its pending sale to BancorpSouth Bank in Tupelo, Miss. The branch sale resulted from a joint letter of agreement among BancorpSouth, Cadence and the Department of Justice. The $5.5 billion-asset First will assume about $450 million of deposits for a

September 2, 2021
Application filed for proposed mutual in New Hampshire

Application filed for proposed mutual in New Hampshire

Organizers of the proposed Walden Mutual Bank in Concord, N.H., have applied for deposit insurance.The application, submitted to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Wednesday, wasn't immediately available.The group said on its website that it hopes to open the depositor-owned financial institution next year.“We’re creating an online bank for everyone who eats, makes, grows cooks, or just loves our local food,” the group said on its website. The plan is to offer

September 2, 2021
Texas Capital’s ROA plan underwhelms some analysts

Texas Capital’s ROA plan underwhelms some analysts

Texas Capital Bancshares in Dallas unveiled a plan to improve returns that will require investors to be patient.The $35.2 billion-asset company disclosed late Wednesday that it is targeting a 1.1% return on assets and 12.5% return on tangible common equity, though management said it might not hit those marks until 2025.Texas Capital said it would have some negative operating leverage next year as it makes internal investments. The plan is

September 2, 2021
PDL in New York announces sale-leaseback transaction

PDL in New York announces sale-leaseback transaction

PDL Community Bancorp in Bronx, N.Y., sold a property for $16.1 million.The $1.5 billion-asset parent of Ponce Bank said in a press release Wednesday that it agreed to lease the property at an initial base annual rent of about $926,100, subject to annual 1.75% rent increases."We are excited about the sale and leaseback … and look forward to continuing to provide the excellent products and customer service that Ponce Bank has

September 1, 2021