Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

First Foundation posts 2Q loss after selling CRE loans

First Foundation posts 2Q loss after selling CRE loans

First Foundation in Dallas posted a quarterly loss as new management attempts a turnaround. The $11.6 billion-asset company lost $7.7 million in the second quarter after selling about $858 million of commercial real estate loans held for sale in two transactions at a 6% discount. The move reduced the company's CRE concentration to roughly 365% of regulatory capital. Proceeds from the loan sales were used to reduce about $865 million

July 31, 2025
1st Source in Ind. sets stage for CEO succession this fall

1st Source in Ind. sets stage for CEO succession this fall

Leadership is shuffling at 1st Source in South Bend, Ind. The $9.1 billion-asset company said in a press release that Andrea Short will become president and CEO on Oct. 1. Short, who will remain CEO of 1st Source Bank, will succeed Christopher Murphy III, who is retiring. Murphy will become executive chairman. Kevin Murphy, the company's chief digital officer, will become the bank's president. “I could not be more pleased

July 29, 2025
CFPB seeks stay in data rule lawsuit as it plans new rulemaking

CFPB seeks stay in data rule lawsuit as it plans new rulemaking

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has filed a motion to stay proceedings in a lawsuit brought by Forcht Bank, the Kentucky Bankers Association, and the Bank Policy Institute over last year's rule on personal financial data rights. The plaintiffs, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, are challenging the rule on administrative grounds, alleging that it violated procedural requirements and should be vacated. In its motion, the

July 29, 2025
PeoplesBancorp to absorb Athol Savings Bank in Massachusetts

PeoplesBancorp to absorb Athol Savings Bank in Massachusetts

PeoplesBancorp in Worcester, Mass., has agreed to buy Athol Savings Bank in Athol, Mass. PeoplesBancorp, through its $1.7 billion-asset Cornerstone Bank, expects to buy the $650 million Athol Savings in the first quarter. The financial details were not disclosed. Athol Savings will operate as a division of Cornerstone Bank. “This is an incredibly exciting time for us,” Todd Tallman, Cornerstone's CEO, said in a press release. “This move will strengthen

July 29, 2025
Campbell County Bank to buy Farmers State Bank in South Dakota

Campbell County Bank to buy Farmers State Bank in South Dakota

Campbell County Bank in Herreid, S.D., has applied to buy Farmers State Bank in Hosmer, S.D. The $215.3 million-asset Campbell County applied with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on July 23 to buy the $21.7 million Farmers State Bank. The price wasn't disclosed.

July 29, 2025
Park National in Ohio selects insider as next CEO

Park National in Ohio selects insider as next CEO

Park National in Newark, Ohio, will have a new CEO in 2026. The $9.9 billion-asset company said in a press release that Matthew Miller will take over its top spot on Jan. 1. Miller, who will remain president, will succeed David Trautman, who will continue to serve as chairman. "I have worked closely with Matt for the past 10 years,” Trautman said in the release. “I have witnessed his commitment

July 29, 2025
Group files for form de novo bank in Florida

Group files for form de novo bank in Florida

A group in Florida is looking to form a bank in Clearwater. Organizers of the proposed Echelon Bank submitted an application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on July 23. The application wasn't immediately available. Robert Shaw recently shared on his LinkedIn profile that he would be the proposed bank's CEO. He stepped down as an executive at Flagship Bank in November.

July 28, 2025
Seneca Bancorp in N.Y. plans to convert to stock-owned company

Seneca Bancorp in N.Y. plans to convert to stock-owned company

Seneca Bancorp in Baldwinsville, N.Y., is looking to raise up to $12.3 million as it looks to convert from a mutual holding company to a stock holding company. The $280.2 million-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it plans to sell 892,500 to 1.2 million shares of common stock at $10 each. It could sell more shares if there is enough demand. The shares being sold represent the ownership

July 28, 2025