Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

First Mid in Illinois taps insider as next president

First Mid in Illinois taps insider as next president

First Mid Bancshares in Mattoon, Ill., has a new president. The $7.6 billion-asset company said in a press release that Matthew Smith had taken on the new role. Smith, who was the chief financial officer, is now responsible for all First Mid lines of business Jordan Read, who succeeded Smith as CFO, will remain chief risk officer. “I believe it’s the right time to elevate Matt to the role and

June 30, 2025
Santa Anna National Bank in Texas is 2025’s second failure

Santa Anna National Bank in Texas is 2025’s second failure

Santa Anna National Bank of Santa Anna, Texas, failed. The $63.8 million-asset bank was closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver. The FDIC sold most of the bank’s $53.8 million of deposits to Coleman County State Bank of Coleman, Texas, at a 5.16% premium. About $2.8 million of the deposit exceeded FDIC insurance limits. Coleman County also agreed

June 28, 2025
Atlantic Union in Va. sells $2 billion CRE pool to Blackstone

Atlantic Union in Va. sells $2 billion CRE pool to Blackstone

Atlantic Union Bankshares in Richmond, Va., sold $2 billion of performing CRE loans to Blackstone. Atlantic Union, which inherited the loans when it bought Sandy Spring Bancorp on April 1, said when it announced the acquisition last year that it planned to sell the CRE loans. The loan sale “is another proof point of Atlantic Union’s ability to execute and deliver on transactions that create long-term value for our shareholders,"

June 27, 2025
Maverick Bancshares in Texas to buy parent of Tejas Bank

Maverick Bancshares in Texas to buy parent of Tejas Bank

Maverick Bancshares in Lubbock, Texas, has agreed to buy Sandhills Bancshares in Monahans, Texas. The $425 million-asset Maverick did not disclose how much it will pay for the $225 million-asset parent of Tejas Bank. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. “This isn’t just an expansion. It’s about strengthening our presence in the region we call home,” Brent Leslie, Maverick's CEO, said in a press release. “Tejas

June 25, 2025
Community Financial in N.Y. buying seven Pa. branches from Santander

Community Financial in N.Y. buying seven Pa. branches from Santander

Community Financial System in Syracuse, N.Y., has agreed to buy seven branches in the Allentown, Pa., area from Santander Bank. Santander said in a press release that the sale includes $600 million in deposits and $33 million in branch-related loans. Community Financial will pay an 8% deposit premium. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. "As we grow our presence nationally, we are making refinements to our

June 25, 2025
Glacier in Montana to enter Texas with Guaranty Bank acquisition

Glacier in Montana to enter Texas with Guaranty Bank acquisition

Glacier Bancorp in Kalispell, Mont., will enter Texas after agreeing to buy Guaranty Bancshares in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The $28.2 billion-asset Glaicer said in a press release that it will pay $476.2 million in stock for the $3.2 billion-asset Guaranty. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Guaranty at 162% of its tangible book value. Guaranty has 33 branches, $2.1 billion of loans, and $2.7

June 25, 2025
Former BaaS bank Mode Eleven to seek buyer through bankruptcy

Former BaaS bank Mode Eleven to seek buyer through bankruptcy

Mode Eleven Bancorp in Hulett, Wyo., which decided to shut down its Banking-as-a-Service platform last year after being hit with a regulatory order, is looking to sell its bank through a bankruptcy process. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 9. It is working with Hovde Group to find a buyer for its Summit National Bank. The filing was prompted by concerns that the bank could face

June 24, 2025
Amerant in Florida adds banking vet Jack Kopnisky to board

Amerant in Florida adds banking vet Jack Kopnisky to board

Amerant Bancorp in Coral Gables, Fla., has recruited a high-profile banker to its board. The company said in a press release that Jack Kopnisky had become a director. Kopnisky was president and CEO of Sterling Bancorp when it sold to Webster Financial. He would later serve as Webster's chairman. Amerant also added Patty Morrison, former chief information officer at Cardinal Health, to its board.

June 24, 2025