Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Banner to buy Pacific Financial in merger of Washington banks

Banner to buy Pacific Financial in merger of Washington banks

Banner Corp. in Walla Walla, Wash., has agreed to buy Pacific Financial in Aberdeen, Wash. The $16.3 billion-asset Banner said in a press release that it will pay $177 million in stock for the parent of the $1.3 billion-asset Bank of the Pacific. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, priced Pacific Financial at 154% of its tangible book value. Bank of the Pacific has 18

May 1, 2026
Bank Iowa hires South Dakota executive as next CEO

Bank Iowa hires South Dakota executive as next CEO

Bank Iowa in West Des Moines found an outsider to become its next leader. The $2.4 billion-asset bank said in a press release that Jason Herrboldt will become president and CEO. Herrboldt, chief banking officer at First Bank & Trust in Brookings, S.D., will succeed Jim Plagge, who is retiring. Plagge, who has been president and CEO since 2012, will remain in a leadership role at the bank’s holding company.

April 30, 2026
Hawthorn Bancshares to buy FSC Bancshares in Missouri

Hawthorn Bancshares to buy FSC Bancshares in Missouri

Hawthorn Bancshares in Jefferson City, Mo., has agreed to buy FSC Bancshares in Cameron, Mo. The $1.8 billion-asset Hawthorn said in a press release that it will pay $28.3 million in cash and stock for the parent of the $384 million-asset Farmers State Bank. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter. Hawthorn said the deal should be 20% accretive to its earnings per share. It will take

April 29, 2026
First Mid in Illinois looks internally for next CEO

First Mid in Illinois looks internally for next CEO

First Mid Bancshares in Mattoon, Ill., will soon have a new CEO. The $9.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that Matthew Smith will succeed Joseph Dively on July 1. Smith will remain president; Dively will continue as chairman. “I am honored to step into this role and build on the foundation established under Joe’s leadership,” Smith said in the release. “First Mid’s priorities remain unchanged – serving our customers

April 29, 2026
Coastal in Wash. disclosed partnership with de novo Erebor Bank

Coastal in Wash. disclosed partnership with de novo Erebor Bank

Coastal Financial in Everett, Wash., quietly added de novo Erebor Bank to its roster of correspondent partners. Erebor, which opened in February after receiving speedy charter approval, is included in a slide in Coastal's latest earnings presentation. The slide didn't specify what types of services are being used. Erebor has been the subject of speculation and political inquiry, as the company touted its close connections to regulators, including OCC head

April 29, 2026
Coastal in Wash. eyes Evolve BaaS programs in potential deal

Coastal in Wash. eyes Evolve BaaS programs in potential deal

Coastal Financial in Everett, Wash., is exploring a potential expansion of its Banking-as-a-Service business through a deal with Evolve Bank & Trust in West Memphis, Ark. The $5.7 billion-asset Coastal disclosed in a regulatory filing that it entered into a nonbinding term sheet with Evolve covering a range of BaaS programs that Coastal may buy. They include related assets and deposits. Coastal said it plans to begin due diligence promptly

April 29, 2026
Fintech OppFi agrees to buy BNC National Bank in Arizona

Fintech OppFi agrees to buy BNC National Bank in Arizona

Digital finance platform OppFi has agreed to buy BNCCORP in Glendale, Ariz. The Chicago fintech said in a press release that it will pay $130 million in cash and stock for the parent of the $1.1 billion-asset BNC National Bank. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. The acquisition "unlocks significant opportunities for growth and product diversification," Todd Schwartz, OppFi's chairman and CEO, said in the release.

April 29, 2026
Seacoast in Florida repositioned securities portfolio in first quarter

Seacoast in Florida repositioned securities portfolio in first quarter

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart reported flat earnings after selling underperforming securities. The $20.8 billion-asset company said in a press release that profit rose nominally from a year earlier, to $31.9 million, after it absorbed a $39.5 million loss from selling securities in January. Seacoast sold about $277 million in low-yielding securities. Seacoast reinvested the funds into higher-yielding positions, resulting in a 24-basis-point yield improvement in the quarter.

April 29, 2026