Fintech equipifi has raised $34 million in Series B funding. The funding round was led by Left Lane Capital with continued participation from Curql, PHX Ventures, and all other existing major investors. SWBC and the Bankers Helping Bankers Fund joined with the new round. "Our mission is straightforward: Every consumer should have access to pay-over-time solutions from the primary banking provider they prefer," CEO Bryce Deeney wrote in a LinkedIn post.

BMO Financial Group in Toronto has agreed to sell its transportation finance and vendor finance businesses, including loans in the U.S. and Canada, to Stonepeak in New York. Stonepeak will pay a cash amount and an earnout contingent. BMO will use a portion of the consideration to invest in a roughly 19.9% stake in the new entity. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.

Always.bank, a new digital bank by 22nd State Banking in Mobile, Ala., has launched. The digital bank, created with assistance from Linker Finance, will focus on entrepreneurs and small businesses. The launch began with high-yield savings accounts and CDs, followed by an expansion into business banking capabilities. "Our vision is to build an advisor-led bank for small businesses that combines the convenience of modern digital banking with the trust and

Brookfield Bancshares in Brookfield, Ill., has agreed to buy NSTS Bancorp in Waukegan, Ill. The $333.4 billion-asset Brookfield said in a press release that it will pay $73.7 million in cash for the $266.6 million-asset NSTS. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. North Shore will retain its name and charter. “We are excited to join forces with the North Shore team and expand our presence into

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., will use a gain from exchanging Visa shares to offset a hit from selling underperforming securities. The company said in a press release that it will report a $99 million pretax gain from marking its newly obtained Visa Class C common stock. Commerce also plans to record a pretax loss of $95 million after selling $911 million of low-yielding securities. The company expects to

Allegheny Bancshares in Franklin, W.Va., has finalized its CEO succession. The $825 million-asset company said in a press release that Neil Hayslett will take on the role on July 13. Hayslett will also become CEO of Pendleton County Bank. Hayslett, the company's president, will succeed Bill Loving Jr., who will retire. Loving, who has led the bank since October 2000, will remain on the board. “For more than 25 years,

Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix disclosed a new issue with a $99 million commercial real estate loan. The $98.9 billion-asset Western Alliance disclosed in its quarterly filing that a borrower told the bank in late April that it would not repay the CRE non‑owner‑occupied loan. The loan had been performing in accordance with its contractual terms and was internally graded as pass. The loan was downgraded to substandard and placed on

Eagle Bancorp in Bethesda, Md., looked outward for its new leader. The company said in a press release that it hired Stephen Curley as its president and CEO, effective July 6. He will also join the board. Curley, who was chief banking officer for national business lines at Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix, will succeed Susan Riel. Riel, who plans to remain on the board, signed a 12-month consulting agreement