Smith Shellnut Wilson has managed Business First's investment portfolio since the bank was formed 15 years ago.

The Delaware company's pending purchase will create a bank with $43 billion of assets under management.

The London company poured cold water on speculation a deal to divest its 152-branch network in the United States was imminent. But biding its time here while focusing on issues in other parts of its global operation could drive up the price in a seller’s M&A market.

Broader economic factors, including growing household debt, are also likely to keep the housing market stagnant, Freddie Mac said.

Even though it is less than two years since it allowed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to accept such valuations, it is difficult to evaluate their effectiveness without such examinations.

The top five servicers that are depositories have a combined unpaid principal balance of more than $1.89 trillion at the end of Q2 2023.

The decision to stop enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires the disclosure of the beneficial ownership of businesses, could make the U.S. an attractive environment for fraudsters.

Last month, the OCC opened the door to national banks interested in engaging with digital assets. That's a good thing, but there is a real need for clear legislative and regulatory guidance so they can move forward safely.

Shrinking the Federal Home Loan Bank System from 11 banks to eight would save members money, improve efficiency and generate more money for affordable housing.