News Topic: Strategic buyers

Sierra Bancorp in Porterville has formed dedicated lending teams in Sacramento and Greater Los Angeles in its bid to accelerate loan growth following a sluggish 2019. ... Read full article

Spirit of Texas Bancshares is acquiring four branches and a loan production office from Simmons First National Corp. as part of an aggressive expansion in its home state. ... Read full article

Howard Bancorp is planning a big push in CRE lending, first in its hometown of Baltimore and eventually in Washington. ... Read full article

If regional banks really want to compete against behemoths and nonbank entrants they need to emphasize products over M&A. ... Read full article

Readers react to the FDIC's fine against a bank over a 5-year-old consent order, Regions Financial's about-face on acquisitions, HUD's promotion of a controversial CFPB official and more. ... Read full article

Readers react to whether the next presidential debate will discuss banking, how California's financial policies are bleeding into other blue states, suggested reforms to the Community Reinvestment Act and more. ... Read full article

Other banks have made splashy acquisitions there, but PSB Holdings is getting ready to open a branch after making inroads in the market for three years. Its next step could be M&A. ... Read full article

The co-head of the bank’s securities division, 55, was once seen as a possible CEO; the institutions are gobbling up small banks at a record pace, prompting pushback from banks. ... Read full article

Joseph Campanelli, CEO of Needham Bank, wants to be ready to scoop up mutuals struggling with rising costs and yield curve challenges. ... Read full article

First Mutual Holding is buying the tiny Blue Grass Federal and keeping its charter. The deal allow the seller to save costs and maintain its autonomy. ... Read full article

Professional Bank and Marquis Bank, both of Coral Gables, have been competing against each other for more than a decade. Now they are merging in hopes of landing larger clients and making better use of technology being developed in Professional's ... Read full article

Peapack-Gladstone in New Jersey has more than doubled its assets under management in the last six years, taking advantage of buyouts of its smaller rivals as it aims to become less dependent on net interest income. ... Read full article

Seed, a San Francisco startup, has developed a platform that lets small businesses quickly open accounts online. That's an important feature for Cross River as it courts more fintech clients. ... Read full article

Its CEO says organic growth is preferable, but after spending five years tackling a series of enforcement actions tied to BSA compliance, the Pennsylvania bank has options. ... Read full article

The deals lets a North Carolina group skip the de novo process. West Town, which sold the bank, will use the funds to support a fast-growing business line. ... Read full article

Stephen Steinour said it was pure conjecture that Huntington was a possible suitor for the Dallas bank if it decides to put itself up for sale at some point. He emphasized Huntington's core-growth strategy and upbeat economic signs from consumers and ... Read full article

SmartFinancial lined up a compelling merger with Entegra. Then a bigger bank offered more money and a higher premium. ... Read full article

Sure, M&A is a good option, but so are branch deals or key hires, say two veteran bankers who shared some of their successful strategies at American Banker’s Retail Banking Growth Stories conference. ... Read full article