Jim Dobbs

The New York bank attributed the gains to its aggressive hiring of banking teams on both coasts and robust loan demand from private equity and venture capital firms.

The Louisiana-based company is among a growing number of community banks that have taken on new talent in the wake of competitors' consolidation.

Some community banks and credit unions worry that by hiring out-of-state workers to fill their many job openings, as other employers have done, they could erode community ties.

The last three months of 2021 were strong for most lenders, which will report results soon. But the outlook for the coming months has been clouded by the spread of the newest coronavirus variant, which has many banks grappling with staffing shortages and branch restrictions.

The new business line is part of a broader expansion plan the Pennsylvania bank announced in 2021.

Industry fears that regulators were souring on bank mergers have eased somewhat after the Federal Reserve finally signed off on WSFS Financial’s acquisition of Bryn Mawr Bank and several other deals that had been awaiting the green light.

Eli Tinsley, the bank's chief banking officer, was promoted to president and chief executive.

The Oklahoma bank is eager to take the ground some competitors are ceding in oil and gas financing.

The Arkansas bank is working with 10 universities' athletic departments to create programs for women it hopes will one day join its ranks.

An investor who holds nearly 10% of Pacific Enterprise Bancorp shares urged others to oppose BayCom Corp’s $53 million acquisition offer, arguing that the price was too low. Despite this, a majority of both banks' shareholders voted in favor of the deal.