Down Range Capital Opportunity Fund is pushing the board of Cashmere Valley Bancorp in Cashmere, Wash., to sell the bank. Down Range's letter leans on four main points: No credible succession plan. CSHX has had only two CEOs since 1993 — Ken Martin and Greg Oakes — with a smooth internal handoff between them. Oakes's retirement breaks that pattern, and Down Range argues a national CEO search is historically tied

Tech money keeps finding its way into small banks — and the latest example closed this week in Irvine, Calif. Nir Zuk, co-founder of cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks, completed his purchase of DMG Bancshares, the holding company of the $442 million-asset Liberty Bank. He wasn't alone: Daniel and Betsy Cohen, co-founders of The Bancorp, joined the transaction alongside a group financial services and technology investors. As part of the

Flex has raised $70 million to expand its platform for high-net-worth business owners. The fintech also said in an announcement that it had launched Flex Global, a service that connects local currency accounts, cross-border payments, and stablecoins for around-the-clock funds transfers. The company will also use the funds to double in size to more than 200 employees by year-end. Halo Fund led the investment, which comes seven months after Flex

Houston Bank & Trust in Texas raised $43.5 million in a private placement. The bank sold common stock, with Commerce Street Capital serving as the placement agent. The bank opened in May 2025 after raising $35 million.

Software and technology provider CSI bought Qolo, a fintech that offers treasury solutions and payments infrastructure. The price wasn't disclosed. “Community financial institutions are built on trusted relationships, local expertise, and deep knowledge of their markets,” Nancy Langer, CSI's president and CEO, said in a press release. “Businesses in their communities also need sophisticated banking capabilities that simplify and fit more naturally into their day-to-day financial operations," she added. "With

F&M Bank in Timberville, Va., used a gain from selling its insurance agency to offset a hit from selling underperforming securities. The company said in a press release that it recorded a $4.8 million pretax gain from selling Bearing Insurance in April. F&M then sold $29.8 million of securities, or 8.2% of its portfolio, at a pretax loss of $3.5 million. It should take less than four years to earn

First Community Bank of Central Alabama in Wetumpka has agreed to buy a branch from Merchants & Farmers Bank of Greene County in Eutaw, Ala. FCB plans to buy a branch in Prattville, Ala., along with $14 million of deposits and $8 million of loans, for an undisclosed price. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Olsen Palmer advised the seller.

First Bancorp in Southern Pines, N.C., has agreed to buy First Carolina Bancshares in Florence, S.C. First Bancorp said in a press release that it will pay $166 million in cash and stock for the $831 million-asset First Carolina. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter or early next year. “Carolina Bank has deep roots in the communities it serves and a strong reputation for relationship-based banking,”