Jackie Stewart is the executive editor of American Banker Magazine. Previously, she covered breaking news, community banks and mergers and acquisitions for American Banker before being named as the managing editor of the Credit Union Journal. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2006, Jackie taught for two years in the Bronx, N.Y., through Teach for America.
The new chairman of Republic First was famously ousted from Commerce Bancorp because of conflict-of-interest concerns years ago. His new bank uses some Hill-related companies for marketing and other services but says that it has structured the relationship in a way that passes muster with regulators.
Three fund managers and two advisory firms have soured on PrivateBancorp's planned sale to CIBC, raising the possibility that investors could nix the deal. What would happen next is anyone's guess.
The Music City is booming because of entertainment and health care. Still, banks are monitoring growth in areas such as real estate development for signs of stress.
Anthony Labozzetta, CEO of Sussex Bancorp in New Jersey, isn't afraid of change. His unusual approach to banking helped Sussex emerge from the financial crisis with momentum. Now he's building a branch model that could serve as a blueprint for growth-minded banks.
The pending purchase of Carlile Bancshares will lower Independent's concentration in commercial real estate, while introducing the company to fast-growing markets in Texas and Colorado.
Montana's biggest bank will have to compete in cities such as Seattle and Portland, Ore., after buying Cascade Bancorp. But the company is arguably more excited about its chances to grow in central Oregon and Idaho, which are more like its existing markets.
The Farm Service Agency and the Small Business Administration seem to be taking longer to approve guarantees for loans to facilities that house livestock, creating another headache for bankers.
New York Community's acquisition of Astoria Financial will not get the necessary regulatory OK this year, but both parties remain committed to the transaction, the CRE-heavy acquirer said.
Will another reason for market fluctuations hurt stock-heavy merger agreements? Will the promise of lighter regulation give buyers more time to chase deals, or encourage prospective sellers to stay independent? The wheels are already turning in the minds of dealmakers after Trump's defeat of Clinton.
Zions Bancorp. in Salt Lake City disclosed that it had entered into a "substantive settlement discussion" with the Justice Department regarding an probe into its payment-processing practices.