Consortium looks to bring banks together on tech projects
A new group is looking to bring small and midsize banks together to work on technology projects. The Btech Consortium is being led by Elizabeth Park Capital Management, Strandview Capital and a group of banks that includes East West Bancorp in Los Angeles and Customers Bancorp in West Reading, Pa. Participating banks will pool their […]
Burke & Herbert in Virginia to join Nasdaq
Burke & Herbert Financial Services in Alexandria, Va., plans to list its shares on the Nasdaq. The $3.5 billion-asset company said in a press release that it should join the exchange in the next six months. Its shares currently trade on the over-the-counter pink sheets. “We believe listing our shares on Nasdaq will broaden the […]
Republic First rejects activist investor’s board nomination
Republic First Bancorp has rejected a petition by a large shareholder to nominate a candidate for the Philadelphia company’s board. The $5.6 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that Philip Norcross sent notice that he planned to nominate Gregory Braca for consideration at the next annual meeting, which is set for January. Republic First […]
Treasury: Guidance needed for bank-fintech partnerships
The Treasury Department is pushing federal bank regulators to complete guidance tied to how banks oversee risk associated with fintech relationships. The agency warned in a new 128-page report that fintechs are creating new risks to consumer protection and market integrity in areas such as data privacy and regulatory arbitrage. The report called for enhanced […]
Group tied to Ben Carson set to buy Oklahoma bank
A group with ties to Ben Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has received regulatory approval to buy First State Bank in Elmore City, Okla. The group said in a press release that it is set to buy the $17 million-asset bank on Nov. 30. It will be rebranded as Old Glory Bank […]
Customers in Pa. latest bank to address digital asset turmoil
Customers Bancorp in West Reading, Pa., is the latest crypto-focused banking company to address its ties to the industry. The $20 billion-asset Customers said in a press release Wednesday that it the FTX bankruptcy will have “no material impact on the bank.” Customers said it does not have a deposit relationship with FTX or any […]
BankProv parent warns of 3Q loss tied to crypto mining clients
Provident Bancorp in Amesbury, Mass., is signaling that it will report a net loss for the third quarter that reflects its dealings with the cryptocurrency mining industry. The $1.8 billion-asset parent of BankProv disclosed in a regulatory filing that it expects to report a loss of about $27.5 million in the quarter. The anticipated loss […]
NY Fed, big banks to run proof-of-concept CBDC pilot
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is planning to run a proof-of-concept pilot with several large banks for a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The New York Fed said in a press release that the New York Innovation Center (NYIC) will launch a 12-week pilot. The program will test the “technical feasibility, legal viability, […]
Veteran bank analyst Ed Najarian joins EF Hutton
Ed Najarian, a veteran banking analyst, has ended an extended break to join EF Hutton. EF Hutton, a division of Benchmark Investments, said in a press release that Najarian was named senior managing director of its equity research department. “Building a top-tier research platform has been a key priority for the management team at EF […]
Signature Bank: FTX exposure only consists of deposits
Signature Bank in New York is the latest bank to clarify its ties to FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange that recently filed for bankruptcy protection. The $114.5 billion-asset Signature said in a press release that FTX and related companies account for less than 0.1% of its overall deposits on Nov. 14. Signature had $102.8 billion of […]
California BanCorp forms specialty lending division
California BanCorp in Oakland has created a specialty lending division. The parent of the $1.9 billion-asset California Bank of Commerce said in a press release that CBC Specialty Banking includes asset-based lending and sponsor finance products. The nationwide platform will also offer treasury solutions to commercial clients. Larry LaCroix, an executive vice president who formed […]
Wintrust to buy two asset management firms
Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., has agreed to buy two asset management businesses from Rothschild & Co North America. The $52 billion-asset Wintrust said in a press release that its Great Lakes Advisors unit will buy Rothschild & Co Asset Management US and Rothschild & Co Risk Based Investments. The deals are expected to close […]
PL Capital seeking to boost stake in Evans Bancorp
PL Capital, a well-known activist investor, is seeking regulatory permission to own up to 19.9% of the stock in Evans Bancorp in Williamsville, N.Y. PL Capital disclosed in a regulatory filing that it filed its documents with the Federal Reserve last week. The investor already owns 9.9% of the outstanding shares in the $2.1 billion-asset […]
Silvergate says FTX exposure limited to deposits
Silvergate Capital in La Jolla, Calif., said it has no outstanding loans to FTX. The $15.5 billion-asset company also said in a press release Monday that it had no investments in the cryptocurrency exchange, which filed for bankruptcy protection last week. FTX deposits represent less than 10% of the $11.9 billion of deposits belonging to […]
White House to nominate Gruenberg to serve as FDIC chair
The White House plans to nominate Martin Gruenberg to serve as chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. President Biden made the announcement in a Monday press release. Gruenberg has been acting chairman since Jelena McWilliams resigned in February. Gruenberg, who joined the FDIC in 2005, is the longest-serving director in the FDIC’s history and […]
Friendly Hills in California to rebrand its bank
Friendly Hills Bancorp in Whittier, Calif., plans to change the name of its bank. The $306 million-asset company said in a press release Monday that Friendly Hill Bank will be rebranded as First Pacific Bank by the end of this year. The company is also planning a new logo and website. “As we continued to […]
Hills Bancorp. in Iowa has new bank president
Hills Bancorp. in Hills, Iowa, has a new bank president. The $4 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that Lisa Shileny had taken on the role at Hills Bank and Trust last week. She will remain chief operating officer. Dwight Seegmiller remains the company’s president and CEO and the bank’s CEO. Shileny, who […]
Washington Federal to buy Luther Burbank, enter California
Washington Federal in Seattle has agreed to buy Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, Calif. The $20.8 billion-asset Washington Federal said in a press release Monday that it will pay $654 million in stock for the $7.9 billion-asset parent of Luther Burbank Savings. The deal, which is expected to close as early as the second […]
U.S. Bancorp vice chairman to retire in 2023
U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis said its technology and operations leader will retire. The $601 billion-asset company said in a press release that Jeff von Gillern, vice chair of technology and operations services, will step down in late 2023. He Gillern will remain with U.S. Bancorp as it integrates MUFG Union Bank. “Jeff has helped to […]
PB Bankshares in Pennsylvania to sell HQ building
PB Bankshares in Coatesville, Pa., has agreed to sell its corporate headquarters office. The $377 million-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it will sell the office, which includes a branch, for $950,000. PB will lease a portion of the property, including the branch, from the buyer.
Silvergate touts liquidity position amid FTX concerns
Silvergate Capital in La Jolla, Calif., highlighted its access to liquidity in light of volatility tied to digital assets. Binance earlier signed a letter of intent to buy crypto exchange FTX, with Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao tweeting about a “significant liquidity crunch” at FTX. Binance quickly backed away, with Zhao citing issues “beyond our control or […]
First Foundation in Texas looking for new president
The president of First Foundation in Dallas has resigned. The $12.3 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that David DePillo, who had been president since 2015, had stepped down. Kevin Thompson, the company’s chief financial officer, succeeded DePillo on an interim basis. The company said it plans to conduct a search process for a […]
FV Bank in P.R. launches digital asset custody service
FV Bank in San Juan, P.R., has launched a digital asset custody and settlement service. The bank said in a press release that it will serve U.S. and international clients. It will initially handle Bitcoin with the addition of Ethereum, USDC and USDT custody in coming weeks. More digital assets will be added over time. […]
OceanFirst, Partners terminate merger agreement
OceanFirst Financial in Red Bank, N.J., and Partners Bancorp in Salisbury, Md., have terminated their planned merger after being unable to secure all the necessary regulatory approvals. The $12.7 billion-asset OceanFirst and the $1.7 billion-asset Partners said in a press release that both boards approved the decision. Each company will bear its own costs […]
Auburn National selects insider as next CEO
Auburn National Bancorp. in Auburn, Ala., has lined up a new CEO. The $1 billion-asset company said in a press release Tuesday that David Hedges will also succeed Bob Dumas as president on Jan. 1. Dumas will remain Auburn National’s chairman. Hedges, the company’s chief financial officer, will also join the board. James Walker, Auburn […]