Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank hires former Ford Motor Credit leader as CEO

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank hires former Ford Motor Credit leader as CEO

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank in Columbia, S.C., has lined up its next CEO. AgFirst said in a press release that Marion Harris will also become its president of July 14. Harris, a former chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit, will succeed Pat Calhoun, who had filled in as interim president and CEO. Calhoun will remain chief credit officer. Tim Amerson retired as president and CEO on Dec. 31. "The

June 24, 2025
First Financial in Ohio to buy Westfield Bancorp from Ohio Farmers Insurance

First Financial in Ohio to buy Westfield Bancorp from Ohio Farmers Insurance

First Financial Bancorp in Cincinnati has agreed to buy Westfield Bancorp in Westfield Center, Ohio. The $18.5 billion-asset First Financial said in a press release that it will pay $325 million in cash and stock to Ohio Farmers Insurance Co. for the $2.2 billion-asset Westfield. The deal, which had the codename Project Artemis and is expected to close in the fourth quarter, valued Westfield at 137% of its tangible book

June 24, 2025
Fiserv plans stablecoin as part of new digital asset platform

Fiserv plans stablecoin as part of new digital asset platform

Fiserv in Milwaukee plans to form a digital asset platform that will include a stablecoin. The company said in a press release that it aims to add the stablecoin, to be called FIUSD, to its banking and payments infrastructure by the end of the year. FIUSD expects to use stablecoin infrastructure from Paxos and Circle Internet Group. “We are relentlessly focused on delivering state-of-the-art innovation, efficiency, and choice to all of

June 23, 2025
First National Bank Coastal Community in Fla. hires new CEO

First National Bank Coastal Community in Fla. hires new CEO

First National Bank Coastal Community in Wellington, Fla., has a new leader. The $503 million-asset bank said in a press release that Shaun Williams had also become its president. He was the chief lending officer at Marine Bank. “It’s an honor to lead a bank that believes in the power of relationships and local decision-making,” Williams said in the release. “Over the next year, we will focus on growing our

June 23, 2025
Group led by Dallas businessman buys Hopeton State Bank

Group led by Dallas businessman buys Hopeton State Bank

One America Bancorp, a newly formed bank holding company, has acquired Hopeton State Bank in Hopeton, Okla. One America, an effort led by Dallas businessman Bruce Ware, did not disclose how much it paid for the $26 million-asset bank. The new BHC will focus on serving rural communities in Oklahoma while creating a commercial banking presence in Dallas. Ware will serve as chairman and CEO, while Trent Goss, Hopeton State's president, will

June 23, 2025
Proposed Ohio bank bakes virtual currencies into business plan

Proposed Ohio bank bakes virtual currencies into business plan

A group of banking and legal professionals is seeking to open a national bank in Columbus, Ohio, that would weave stablecoins into its business plan. The proposed Erebor Bank aims to offer traditional banking products, along with virtual currency-related products and services, to businesses and individuals. The target market includes technology companies focused on virtual currencies, AI, defense, and manufacturing. Other potential clients are payment service providers, investment funds, and

June 23, 2025
Nissan is latest automaker to pursue industrial loan charter

Nissan is latest automaker to pursue industrial loan charter

Nissan Motor Acceptance Co., the financial services arm of Nissan North America, applied for an industrial loan charter. The Franklin, Tenn., company said in a press release that it submitted its application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions to form Nissan Bank U.S. The industrial bank would be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The proposed bank will focus on commercial financing for

June 22, 2025
Fed allows Increase founder to buy bank in Washington

Fed allows Increase founder to buy bank in Washington

The Federal Reserve approved an application by the founder of Increase, a customer-facing API company, to buy Twin City Bancorp in Longview, Wash. Darragh Buckley is also listed on his LinkedIn account as a director of Washington Business Bank. Twin City is the holding company for the $70 million-asset Twin City Bank. Buckley filed to personally buy Twin City; it is unclear if his strategy involves pairing the bank with

June 21, 2025