Strategic Insights into Banking & Fintech

BoA to buy U.K. information security specialist

Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., agreed to buy U.K. information security specialist M D SecMDSec Consulting. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. The price wasn’t disclosed. M D SecMDSec provides deeply technical information security-related consultancy services. “We have long admired the exceptional ability of the M D SecMDSec team and are delighted […]

Century in N.M. replaces CEO as it deals with unsolicited takeover attempt

Century Bank in Santa Fe, N.M., which is facing a hostile takeover, has replaced its CEO. The $1.4 billion-asset bank confirmed that Max Myers, its vice chairman, became interim president and CEO on July 24. He replaced John Brichetto. Bank7 in Oklahoma City said in early July that it had agreed to buy a 71% stake […]

Alma Bank to buy American Community Bank in N.Y. bank merger

Alma Bank in Long Island City, N.Y., has agreed to buy American Community Bancorp in Glen Cove, N.Y. The $1.6 billion-asset Alma said in a press release that it plans to purchase the parent of the $300 million-asset American Community Bank in the first quarter. The price wasn’t disclosed. “This partnership is grounded in a […]

B2 Bank moves headquarters from Minnesota to Utah

B2 Bank has moved its headquarters to Utah. The bank said in a press release that it relocated from Mountain Iron, Minn., to Holladay, Utah. The move positions B2 Bank in a fast-growing fintech corridor, expanding access to talent and supporting its long-term strategic goals. “Relocating our headquarters to Holladay is a defining step in […]

Community State Bank in Pa. tabs insider as next CEO

Community State Bank in Orbisonia, Pa., has a new leader. The $400 million-asset bank said in a press release that Nicole Wilson had become its CEO. Wilson, who remains president, succeeded Michael Bibak, who retired. “From the outset, the timing of Mike’s departure was intentionally flexible, allowing it to be guided by the progress of […]

Pioneer in New York launches college advising division after acquisition

Pioneer Bancorp in Albany, N.Y., has acquired The College Advisor of New York, a firm that helps families navigate the college search and admissions process. The College Advisor of New York provides personalized guidance, hands‑on support, and assistance identifying colleges that are the right academic, personal, and financial fit. The price wasn’t disclosed. Dean Skarlis, […]

Banc of California posts big loss following balance sheet moves

Banc of California in Los Angeles reported a staggering $251.3 million loss after repositioning its balance sheet. The $34.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it sold $2.3 billion of lower-yielding securities and began the process of selling $827 million of commercial real estate and multifamily construction loans. The company also retired $385 […]

National Bank of Indianapolis sets calendar for CEO succession

National Bank of Indianapolis is priming CEO succession. The $3.1 billion-asset bank said that Doug Talley will become its president on Aug. 3. Talley, who succeeded Mark Bruin, is also expected to become CEO when Bruin retires early next year. Talley is chief banking officer and chief lending officer.

Increase Bank launches after Darragh Buckley buys small bank

Fintech founder Darragh Buckley has officially taken over a bank. Buckley, who created Increase, a customer-facing API company, announced the creation of Increase Bank after buying Twin City Bancorp in Longview, Wash. “This is the bank for ambitious technology companies,” Buckley said in a LinkedIn post. “You’re obsessed with building the best possible product for your customers; […]

CUSO InvestFi raises $20 million in latest funding round

InvestiFi has raised $20 million to accelerate its embedded investing platform for banks and credit unions. The CUSO said in a press release that the funding round was led by Vibe Credit Union, with participation from BankTech Ventures, Navari, and several credit unions. InvestiFi has grown from four clients in 2024 to more than 60 […]

Blue Ridge in Va. reports loss after issues with government-backed loans

Blue Ridge Bankshares in Charlottesville, Va., slipped back into the red after a problematic loan came to light. The $2.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it lost $200,000 in the second quarter, reversing an $800,000 profit from a quarter earlier. The net loss included an after-tax $2.1 million loan-loss provision. Blue Ridge […]

Unison Bank in N.D. promoting market leader to become CEO in 2027

Unison Bank in Jamestown, N.D., will have a new leader in a year. The $596 million-asset bank, which largely operates in Arizona, shared on LinkedIn that Christofer Yacoub had become its president and will succeed the retiring Kelly Rachel as CEO in July 2027. “Chris brings a strategic vision, a deep commitment to community banking, […]

Summit State in Calif. posts 2Q loss as it tackles credit issues

Summit State Bank in Santa Rosa, Calif., reported a net loss in the second quarter as it tried to address higher-risk credits. The $960 million-asset bank lost $1.3 million, compared to a $2.4 million gain a year earlier. The recent quarter included a $5.9 million loan-loss provision. The bank said it recognized “significant chargeoffs” and […]

Bangor Savings Bank in Maine taps insider as next CEO

Bangor Savings Bank in Maine is close to having a new leader. The bank said in a press release that Lannie Moffatt will become president and CEO at the end of this summer. Moffatt, the bank’s chief operating officer, will succeed Bob Montgomery-Rice, who is retiring.

OCC rejects Wise’s national trust bank charter application

U.K. fintech Wise is headed back to the drawing board in its effort to form a U.S. national trust bank. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency denied the company’s application. Stephen Lybarger, the OCC’s senior deputy comptroller for chartering, organization and structure, said in a letter that the application “presents significant supervisory and […]

Flex files for Utah industrial loan charter

Flexible Finance, which operates as Flex, has applied for a Utah industrial loan charter. The New York fintech said in a press release that it plans to form Flex Bank in Nehi. The proposed bank would give Flex an FDIC-insured institution to support its products and services as it continues to scale. Since 2019, Flex […]

Aspira Bank organizers outline a resolution-driven path to California charter

A private investor group is seeking regulatory approval for a shell charter that would be activated only if it wins an FDIC-assisted acquisition of a troubled California commercial bank. Aspira Bank is not being proposed as a traditional de novo. The organizers are pursuing a more opportunistic and considerably more complex strategy: obtain conditional approval for […]

Fintech Albert seeking bank charter in Utah

Albert, a fintech that offers instant lines of credit, is seeking a bank charter. The company applied with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to form Albert Bank, which would be based in Salt Lake City. Albert currently offers credit lines and certain instant loans through FinWise Bank.

Group applies to form national bank based in Pittsburgh

A group in Pittsburgh is looking to open a bank. Organizers applied with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to form Sagehaven Bancorp. The group is led by Brian Tabb, who stepped down as senior vice president of corporate treasury at BNY in March. The bank would focus […]

Five Star in California to raise $113M in public offering

Five Star Bancorp in Rancho Cordova, Calif., plans to raise more than $113 million by selling common stock. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing that it aims to sell about 2.7 million shares of stock at $44 each in a public offering. Five Star could sell an additional 409,000 shares if there is sufficient […]

Upstart receives conditional OCC approval to form a bank

Upstart Holdings in Burlingame, Calif., has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to form Upstart Bank. The charter would let Upstart reduce operational, regulatory, and financial complexity for itself and third-party capital partners. The fintech filed its application in March. Conditional approval “is an important milestone … we will […]

Northrim in Alaska makes Oregon push with PBCO Financial purchase

Northrim BanCorp in Anchorage, Alaska, has agreed to buy PBCO Financial in Medford, Ore. The $3.4 billion-asset Northrim said in a press release that it will pay $167.3 million in stock for the $777 million-asset PBCO. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter or early next year. “Both of our organizations share […]

Optus in S.C. to buy M&F Bancorp in N.C. in merger of MDIs

Optus Financial in Columbia, S.C., has agreed to buy M&F Bancorp in Durham, N.C., in a merger of minority depository institutions. Optus will pay $105 million in cash, including $46.57 a share at closing and an additional $6.73 a share contingent upon the repurchase of certain outstanding shares of M&F preferred stock within a year […]

First Community in S.C. to split leadership of its bank

First Community in Lexington, S.C., is splitting the leadership roles at its bank. The $2.4 billion-asset company said in a press release that  Vaughn Dozier will become CEO of First Community Bank on Jan. 1, while Drew Painter will become president. Dozier and Painter have served as commercial and retail banking officers; they will succeed […]

Gesa Credit Union in Wash. to enter Oregon with bank acquisition

Gesa Credit Union in Richland, Wash., has agreed to buy Willamette Valley Bank in Salem, Ore. Gesa said in a press release that it will pay $43 to $45 a share in cash for the $465 million-asset Willamette Valley. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027.  Following the sale, Willamette […]