Finward Bancorp in Munster, Ind., has been freed from a November 2023 consent order. The order, issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, was tied to Finward's compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and related regulations. “We want to convey our sincere appreciation and thanks to our board of directors, management team, and staff who worked tirelessly to achieve the requirements of the

Berkshire Hills Bancorp in Boston will rebrand after it buys Brookline Bancorp in Boston. The $11.6 billion-asset Berkshire said in a press release that it will become Beacon Financial after buying the $11.7 billion-asset Brookline. The $1.1 billion deal is expected to close in the third quarter. While the legal name of the combined bank will be Beacon Bank & Trust, it will be referred to as Beacon Bank. The

Pioneer Bancorp in Albany, N.Y., has created a human resources consulting business. The $2 billion-asset company said in a press release that the new division will be led by Miriam Dushane, who was hired as vice president of HR consulting. The division will provide HR expertise and services to small and midsize companies. "Pioneer is deepening its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized companies that are the backbone of our

Grasshopper Bank in New York raised $46.6 million in capital while adding four new directors. The $1.4 billion-asset bank said in a press release that the funding round was led by Patriot Financial Partners with participation from Glendon Capital Management. This investment will support Grasshopper's acquisition of Auto Club Trust, which closed in April, and the continued expansion of the bank's digital platform. "From the beginning, our vision has been

The group planning a bank in Clearwater, Fla., plans to have three branches and a loan production office in the first three years of operation. Organizers of the planned Echelon Bank plan to raise $23 million of initial capital, which will be partially offset by about $1.4 million of organizational expenses. Echelon "will be a full-service, relationship driven, community bank, offering both commercial and retail banking services to its customers,

Marquette National in Chicago has a new leader. The $2 billion-asset company said in a press release that Betty Harn also became its president. Harn, who was an executive vice president, succeeded George Moncada, who will remain a senior advisor and director. "Betty's leadership, strategic thinking and dedication are key attributes that will guide her successfully as president and CEO," Paul McCarthy, the company's chairman, said in the release. "She

BayFirst Financial in St. Petersburg, Fla., has ended an SBA lending program and suspended quarterly dividends. The $1.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it had discontinued its Bolt 7(a) SBA program. The program was designed to provide expedited small balance loans to small businesses, typically used for working capital. BayFirst said it is reviewing how it can strengthen its core SBA 7(a) offerings, improve operations, and adapt

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., will have a new leader next year. The company said in a press release that George Makris Jr. will retire on Dec. 31. Jay Brogdon, the company's president, will become CEO and join the board on Jan. 1. Marty Casteel, a former chairman, CEO, and president of Simmons Bank, will become chairman on Jan. 1. “We are very thankful to George for his decade-plus