Robert Barba is the technology editor of American Banker. Robert previously served as deputy editor of American Banker's dealmaking and strategy section. He joined American Banker in late 2007 as a community banking reporter, just in time for the financial crisis. Robert played a lead role in covering community banks' struggle for survival in the years following the downturn. Robert has appeared on Fox Business to discuss bank failures and the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program. Prior to joining American Banker, Robert was a general business reporter at Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers in Stuart, Fla. He began his career as a business desk intern at The Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera. Robert is based in New York.
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Republic First Bank in Philadelphia is changing its name — to Republic Bank. The $934 million-asset unit of Republic First Bancorp Inc. announced the change Wednesday, as part of rebranding efforts following the March collapse of its deal to sell itself to Metro Bancorp Inc. of Harrisburg, Pa.
September 8 -
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company last week filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $125 million of common equity this year. BankAtlantic did not disclose when it intends to launch an offering.
September 8 -
Bay Cities National Bank in Redondo Beach, Calif., said it has investment agreements for $460 million, enough to turn the struggling $273 million-asset bank into a regional institution.
September 7 -
Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. has decided that even for community banks that value local identity, bigger might just be better.
September 3 -
Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., has appointed veteran banker Jay S. Sidhu as executive chairman of its Atlantic Coast Bank unit, a move that could help the company complete its second-step conversion.
September 2 -
Old Line Bancshares Inc. in Bowie, Md., plans to acquire Maryland Bankcorp Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $20 million.
September 2 -
Atlantic Coast Federal Corp. in Waycross, Ga., has appointed veteran banker Jay S. Sidhu as executive chairman of its thrift, mirroring a position he has held at the company since May.
September 2 -
Patriot National Bancorp Inc. in Stamford, Conn., has extended the deadline for its recapitalization deal for a second time.
September 1 -
The Office of Thrift Supervision has denied United Western Bancorp Inc.'s request to make payments on its line of credit with JPMorgan Chase & Co.
September 1 -
Premier Financial Bancorp Inc. in Huntington, W.Va., plans to roll up five of its unit banks into one. The $1.1 billion-asset multibank holding company said Tuesday it would merge these units: Boone County Bank in Madison, W.Va.; First Central Bank in Philippi, W.Va.; Traders Bank in Ravenswood, W.Va.; Adams National Bank in Washington; and Consolidated Bank and Trust in Richmond, Va. The combined entity would have $800 million of assets.
September 1 -
Think tank considers why Canada's housing market hasn't tanked like ours; ABA rebuts Cleveland Fed economists on cramdowns; and more.
September 1 -
Eugene P. Heytow, chairman of Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, died Aug. 26. He was 76.
August 30 -
Eight months after calling off a deal to buy Royal Asian Bank, Edward Shin, the bank's CEO, is back with a new deal, crediting perseverance and a grassroots approach.
August 27 -
Eight months after calling off a deal to buy Royal Asian Bank, Edward Shin, the bank's CEO, is back with a new deal, crediting perseverance and a grassroots approach.
August 27 -
BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has given up its attempt to cash out its bondholders at a discount.
August 26 -
Shareholders of Patriot National Bancorp Inc. in Stamford, Conn., have approved a deal to recapitalize the company.
August 26 -
New Century Bank in Phoenixville, Pa., the institution Sidhu has been expanding during the past year, announced that it would buy Berkshire Bank, based in Wyomissing, Sovereign Bank's former headquarters city.
August 25 -
MidSouth Bank in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was well capitalized at the end of the second quarter and the Federal Reserve wants to make sure it stays that way.
August 24 -
Broadway Federal Bank in Los Angeles is set to receive a $750,000 award from the Treasury Department for its work in low- to moderate-income communities.
August 24 -
Capitol Bancorp Ltd. has completed another divestiture — this time of its 51% stake in the $64 million-asset USNY Bank in Geneva, N.Y.
August 24
