Tekalign Gedamu, who would chair Marathon International Bank, says that Zekarias Tamrat is bad-mouthing the de novo effort following his dismissal and a subsequent payment disagreement. Tamrat was slated to be the bank's president.
Tory Nixon, who became Umpqua's chief banking officer this spring, is trying to drive more customers to use mobile banking (only 15% do so now industrywide) without alienating them in the process.
A task force created by the American Bankers Association asserts that applying for a bank charter is too time-consuming and that some de novo rules are too rigid.
At least six groups are exploring opening new banks in the state, which is enjoying an economic recovery and has a dearth of local financial institutions.
