Americas

Nicolet Bankshares has agreed to buy MidWestOne Financial in an $864 million, all-stock deal. The acquisition will move the Wisconsin-based buyer into Iowa and the Twin Cities, while also allowing it to vault past a key regulatory threshold.

The bank asks a federal court to toss claims from five certified classes, arguing victims have been paid and that fraudsters are included in the suit.

The Dallas-based regional bank's return on average assets exceeded its goal of 1.1% for the first time, coming in at 1.3% for the third quarter. The bank has been in transformation mode since 2021.

Farmers National Banc Corp. in Ohio plans to acquire in-state rival Middlefield Banc Corp. in a deal that will deepen the buyer's footprint in Columbus.

The president of the planned Georgia Skyline Bank says he's cautiously optimistic that his group can raise $35 million of startup capital in time for an opening early next year.

New guidance outlines specific due diligence and oversight steps banks must take, reinforcing that they are ultimately accountable for vendor failures.

The parent company of Heartland Bank and Trust plans to acquire a smaller bank based in Carlinville, Illinois. The acquisition would give the buyer added heft in Central Illinois, as well as the Chicago and St. Louis metro areas.

Spring Bank CEO Barry Mann has accumulated a 6% stake in New York City-based Carver Bancorp. Carver has a history of underperforming, but Mann is optimistic about its chances under new CEO Donald Felix.

Canadian banks, financial institutions, fintechs and commerce companies have come together to develop a Canadian dollar-backed stablecoin that is slated to go live in early 2026. The move comes as U.S.-based banks continue to evaluate their own participation in the post-GENIUS Act world.

The "Roughrider" coin, which is scheduled to launch in early 2026, will be the first state stablecoin to launch on Fiserv's digital asset platform.