Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

AmeriServ in Pa. reports 2Q loss after big CRE-related chargeoff

AmeriServ in Pa. reports 2Q loss after big CRE-related chargeoff

AmeriServ Financial in Johnstown, Pa., lost money in the second quarter after addressing its biggest problem asset. The $1.5 billion-asset company lost $282,000 in the quarter after recording a $3.1 million loan-loss provision. The provision came after the company charged off $2.8 million tied to a mixed-use commercial real estate retail/office property in the Pittsburgh market.  AmeriServ said the chargeoff was necessary to write the property down to a court-approved

July 22, 2025
ENB Financial in Pa. lines up new CEO for 2027

ENB Financial in Pa. lines up new CEO for 2027

ENB Financial in Ephrata, Pa., has set up its next CEO. The company said in a press release that Rachel Bitner will also become its president on Jan. 1, 2027. Bitner, ENB's treasurer and chief financial officer of its bank, will succeed Jeffrey Stauffer when he retires at the end of next year. "The board believes that it has developed ... an orderly and effective succession plan that will ensure

July 22, 2025
Mercantile in Mich. to buy Eastern Michigan Financial

Mercantile in Mich. to buy Eastern Michigan Financial

Mercantile Bank in Grand Rapids, Mich., has agreed to buy Eastern Michigan Financial in Croswell. The $6.2 billion-asset Mercantile said in a press release that it would pay $95.8 million in cash and stock for the $505 million-asset Eastern. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Eastern at 165% of its tangible book value. Eastern has 12 branches, $208 million loans, and $449 million of

July 22, 2025
Old National in Ind. hires Key exec as its president, COO

Old National in Ind. hires Key exec as its president, COO

Old National in Evansville, Ind., has hired an executive from KeyCorp as its president. The $71 billion-asset company said in a press release that Tim Burke had also become its chief operating officer. Burke, who oversaw the central region for Key, succeeded Mark Sander, who retired. “I’m truly thrilled to join a team that’s so deeply committed to relationship banking and making a real impact on our communities,” Burke said

July 22, 2025
Simmon First in Ark. raising $300M for potential balance sheet moves

Simmon First in Ark. raising $300M for potential balance sheet moves

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., is planning to raise $300 million by selling common stock. The company announced in a press release that it is selling about 16.2 million shares to the public at $18.50 per share. Another 2.4 million shares could be sold if there is enough demand. Simmons plans to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes such as investments in its bank to support

July 22, 2025
National Bank in Denver invests $5M in small-business credit platform

National Bank in Denver invests $5M in small-business credit platform

National Bank Holdings in Denver has invested in the Nav marketplace for small business deposit and lending solutions. The company said in a press release that it invested $5 million in Nav and that Tim Laney, its chairman and CEO, will serve as an observer on the marketplace's board. Nav offers a suite of tools to help entrepreneurs access, monitor, and build credit. It also provides small business owners with

July 21, 2025
Jefferson Bank in Texas to split president, CEO roles in 2026

Jefferson Bank in Texas to split president, CEO roles in 2026

Jefferson Bank in San Antonio will soon have a new leader. The $3 billion-asset bank said in a press release that Danny Butler will retire as president and CEO at the end of this year. Mitch Walker, the bank's chief operating officer, will become CEO. Reagan Winslow, who leads the bank's trust division, will become president. "Our leadership transitions are not just about titles — they reflect commitment to our strength,

July 21, 2025
First Community in Va. to expand in W.Va. with Hometown purchase

First Community in Va. to expand in W.Va. with Hometown purchase

First Community Bankshares in Bluefield, Va., has agreed to buy Hometown Bancshares in Middlebourne, W.Va. The $3.2 billion-asset First Community said in a press release that it will pay $41.5 million in stock for the parent of the $402 million-asset Union Bank. The deal, which is expected to close early in the first quarter, priced Hometown at 158% of its tangible book value. The acquisition "is a natural expansion into

July 21, 2025