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 region is responsible for a third of all bank sellers — and more than half of the industry's overall deal volume.
Sellers may shy away from partnering with banks that rely too heavily on one individual for their success, so buyers must show they are ready to handle unexpected departures or illnesses involving key personnel.
Its agreement to sell two branches to another Louisiana bank is part of a broader plan by MidSouth's new CEO to eliminate seven branches.
Rob Kunisch will succeed Jack Steil as CEO of 1st Mariner Bank, which has been seeking to right itself after years of difficulties.
While overall activity remains slow, sellers — particularly those flush with core deposits — are fetching premiums not seen in years.
Seeking to stay below $50 billion, the regional is selling its origination and servicing businesses.
The Canadian bank twice sweetened its bid for PrivateBancorp, raising the stakes. Now it must gain traction in the hypercompetitive Chicago market while hunting for more acquisitions.
One of the biggest challenges after a merger is deciding which people to keep and which to let go. Learning to identify certain habits and skills could simplify those decisions.
Chemical Financial was caught off guard by CEO David Ramaker's decision to retire. Fortunately, Chemical had retained Talmer Bancorp CEO David Provost after buying his bank a year earlier.
With interest in these cross-industry deals growing, the CU credited with the first whole-bank acquisition is launching a CUSO to facilitate the process.
Pinnacle Financial Partners closed in on $20 billion in assets by buying BNC. It now has to integrate the North Carolina bank, while finding ways to boost profit and adapt to increased regulatory burden.
Seven banks have agreed to be sold to credit unions in the last 18 months. Expect more deals as both industries face internal and external pressure.
The city is booming thanks to its rising population, revitalized downtown and diverse economy, attracting bank buyers and de novo interest.
MidSouth Bancorp in Louisiana, which faces a formal order from its regulators, will cut jobs, close branches and slash its dividend as it works to reduce its energy exposure.
Lending and managing money for recording artists and labels can be a profitable niche. But volatile income streams, intellectual property challenges and business model upheaval can trip up the inexperienced.
Stilwell Group, which has been pressuring the Ohio company to sell itself, fell 36,000 votes shy of taking a board seat.
The California Reinvestment Coalition is pressing regulators to reject the $700 million bank merger unless PacWest commits more resources to underserved groups in Southern California.
The Louisiana company's board has made it clear that independence is "not a God-given right" and wants new management to address energy loan issues, underwriting, capital and expenses.
The New York company, which plans to raise about $40 million by going public, could also use the funds to make acquisitions.
More than half of the company's loans and deposits would be in the Atlanta area after it buys Resurgens Bancorp.