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.
With North Jersey Community the latest bank to change its name, we ask marketing experts to look at the pros and cons of rebranding.
American Samoa has only one bank left after Bank of Hawaii announced it would leave. A group led by Afimutasi Gus Hannemann is working to bring others to the tiny island territory.
Community banks are likely to look at trimming more costs in 2013 as investors insist on improved efficiency.
A neighborhood association wants regulators to stop the company and CEO John Kanas from expanding in New York.
The government agency has waived a compliance requirement for smaller community banks, removing a costly barrier of entry for hundreds of institutions.
A partnership with BluePoint Finance is designed to provide funding to small businesses and municipalities looking to cut energy costs.
Bank mergers and acquisitions will increase only slightly as capital levels and regulatory limits prompt buyers to choose targets carefully, says Nadine Mirchandani of Ernst & Young.
A longtime director of the troubled First Financial Northwest (FFNW) has retired from the Renton, Wash., company's board.
Jacksonville Bancorp (JAXB) in Florida has sold roughly $25.1 million of troubled assets and completed its previously announced $50 million capital raise.
Capitol Bancorp (CBCRQ) in Lansing, Mich., has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque to a group of unnamed investors.
Carlile Bancshares in Fort Worth, Texas, has completed a deal that adds significantly to its branch network in Colorado.
Sun Bancorp (SNBC) in Vineland, N.J., has received the Federal Reserve Board's blessing to hire Thomas R. Brugger as its chief financial officer.
QNB Corp. (QNBC) in Quakertown, Pa., is preparing to complete its previously announced succession plan.
Sound Community Bancorp in Seattle has ditched its federal thrift charter. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions approved an application last week from Sound Community Bank for a state commercial bank charter, which went into effect immediately.
TF Financial (THRD) in Newtown, Pa., has agreed to acquire Roebling Financial (RBLG) in New Jersey for $14.5 million in stock and cash.
Merchant-funded rewards startup fisoc has received a fresh round of venture capital.
MB Financial Bank in Chicago has purchased Celtic Leasing, a privately held equipment-leasing company.
United Community Bancorp (UCBA) in Lawrenceburg, Ind., has raised enough funds from its community offering to complete its second-step conversion.
An executive from a Missouri bank has been elected as chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.
Unable to seal their deal, C1 Bank and U.S. Century have instead struck a new agreement that would still give C1 a foothold in the Miami area.