Community Banking

Jerry Plush had helmed the South Florida-based bank for nearly five years before agreeing to depart this week. News of the leadership change comes little more than a week after Amerant reported a 43% increase in nonperforming assets.

After more than a quarter-century as a regulator, Jason Sisack had planned to enjoy some time off before taking a new job. He reversed course once Carver, which is operating under an enforcement action, approached him.

Susan Riel, who helped found Eagle Bancorp nearly three decades ago, will step down as CEO in 2026. The bank is embarking on a search for her successor.

BayFirst Financial, which has reported problems with SBA loans, expects to reach an agreement with its regulators in connection with credit administration and other issues.

Top SBA lenders are warning about the impact of a prolonged shutdown. NewtekOne skipped providing fourth-quarter guidance after its CEO said the situation was too cloudy to forecast.

Brian McEvoy, chief retail banking officer at Webster Five in Central Massachusetts, says community banks are in a unique position to serve more small businesses. He was a speaker Tuesday at American Banker's 2025 Small Business Banking conference.

Park National Corp's $317 million, all-stock deal for First Citizens Bancshares would give the buyer a presence in markets that are expected to grow faster than its legacy Ohio footprint.

Nicolet Bankshares has agreed to buy MidWestOne Financial in an $864 million, all-stock deal. The acquisition will move the Wisconsin-based buyer into Iowa and the Twin Cities, while also allowing it to vault past a key regulatory threshold.

Farmers National Banc Corp. in Ohio plans to acquire in-state rival Middlefield Banc Corp. in a deal that will deepen the buyer's footprint in Columbus.