Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

Bank of America names co-presidents in potential succession move

Bank of America names co-presidents in potential succession move

Is Brian Moynihan setting the stage for naming a successor at Bank of America? Moynihan, the Charlotte, N.C., company's chairman and CEO, said in a press release that Dean Athanasia and Jim DeMare had been named co-presidents. Athnasia was president of regional banking, while DeMare was president of global markets. Alastair Bothwick, the company's chief financial officer, was elevated to executive vice president. Moynihan, who has led BofA since 2010, made

September 12, 2025
First Fed in Washington hires Curt Queyrouze as CEO

First Fed in Washington hires Curt Queyrouze as CEO

First Northwest Bancorp in Port Angeles, Wash., hired Curt Queyrouze as its CEO. The company said that Queyrouze will also become its president and join the board on Sept. 17. “It's a privilege to step into this role at a company with such a long-standing reputation," he said in the release. "First Fed has a remarkable 100-year-plus history, and my goal is to honor that by continuing to deliver long-term

September 12, 2025
First Heritage Bank in Kansas brings on sixth-generation leader

First Heritage Bank in Kansas brings on sixth-generation leader

First Heritage Bank in Centralia, Kan., has its first new leader in 48 years. The $266.1 million-asset bank said in a press release that Tyler Bachman had succeeded his father, Bruch Bachman, as CEO. Tyler Bachman, who remains the bank's president, is the bank's sixth-generation leader.

September 11, 2025
Proposed Washington de novo aiming for MDI status

Proposed Washington de novo aiming for MDI status

A proposed bank in Washington aims to become a minority depository institution. Organizers of the planned United Development Bank made the disclosure in their application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. United Development will operate one branch at its main office in Bellevue, Kirkland, or Redmond. United Development Bank is expected to open on or around May 15. Information about initial capital was redacted. Charlie Guildner, a former president and CEO of

September 11, 2025
First Internet in Ind. to sell nearly $900M of lease financing loans

First Internet in Ind. to sell nearly $900M of lease financing loans

First Internet Bancorp in Fishers, Ind., has agreed to sell a portfolio of lease financing loans. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it plans to sell up to $896 million of performing single-tenant lease finance loans to entities affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies. The expected price would represent about 95% of the portfolio's unpaid principal balance, including transaction costs. The sale is expected to close on

September 10, 2025
Fifth Third in Ohio disclosed big fraud headache tied to commercial loan

Fifth Third in Ohio disclosed big fraud headache tied to commercial loan

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati warned that it will take a sizeable impairment in the third quarter tied to alleged fraud involving a commercial borrower. The $210 billion-asset company disclosed that the impairment will range from $170 million to $200 million. The alleged fraud is tied to an asset-backed finance loan. Fifth Third said it is working with law enforcement and third-party advisers to validate losses and determine the final

September 9, 2025
Community Financial in N.Y. invests in tech-centric insurance agency

Community Financial in N.Y. invests in tech-centric insurance agency

Community Financial System in Syracuse, N.Y., has made a minority investment in Leap Holdings, a tech-focused insurance agency. The $16 billion-asset company said in a press release that it paid about $37.4 million for various classes of preferred and common stock. The investment will complement the banking company's existing insurance services business.

September 8, 2025
PNC to buy FirstBank in Colorado for $4.1 billion

PNC to buy FirstBank in Colorado for $4.1 billion

PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh has agreed to buy FirstBank Holding in Lakewood, Colo. The $559.1 billion-asset PNC said in a press release that it will pay $4.1 billion in cash and stock for the $26.8 billion-asset FirstBank. The deal is expected to close in early 2026. FirstBank has 95 branches in Colorado and Arizona. PNC intends to expand its corporate and private banking franchises in those markets. "FirstBank

September 8, 2025