On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

On Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

The Fed, FDIC and OCC have issued guidance that says community banks should consider risk factors such as financial strength and business experience when evaluating potential fintech partners.

Some banks and credit unions, once hopeful of a swift end to the pandemic, are beginning to toughen credit underwriting and rethink growth strategies as if the coronavirus will influence the economy for years to come.

The ranks of depositor-owned banks have been dwindling for decades, but meat distributor Charlie Cumming has a plan for starting one that will serve organic farmers. Can it work?

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida, which has bought 10 banks over the past decade, has agreed to acquire community banks in Sarasota and Melbourne.

Year to date through Jun. 30, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Year to date through Jun. 31, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Mid-Southern Bancorp angered several large shareholders after disclosing that it bought another’s shares for a hefty premium. The seller’s identity is unknown, but the bank’s shareholders include a number of prominent activists.

Scott Credit Union of Edwardsville said it is acquiring Tempo Bank in Trenton, Illinois. It is the fifth such transaction announced since Aug. 5 and the 10th of the year.

The central bank wants financial institutions to enable additional routing options for online purchases, a change industry advocates say would strain the resources of smaller card issuers.

On Mar. 31, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

On Mar. 31, 2021. Dollars in thousands.

Minnwest Bank, which focuses largely on agriculture lending, said it will “become more sophisticated" with its mortgage and consumer lending services by acquiring Roundbank.

Cypress Bank & Trust is poised to open in Palm Beach, and longtime banker Stephen Gordon just launched Genesis Bank in Newport Beach. Meanwhile, two more groups have filed for de novos in August, bringing the list of pending applications nationally to 16.

Three credit unions have announced deals to acquire community banks in the past week. The latest is the Wisconsin-based Royal, which is buying the $441 million-asset Lake Area Bank.

Board diversity is one of the reasons that credit unions outperform banks in hiring women for the role of chief executive. “It starts at the top," says Jan Page, president and CEO of Community South Credit Union in Florida.

The $119 million-asset Ergo Bank in Wisconsin, which is working with the fintech Neocova, says artificial intelligence and modern data management are attainable for even the smallest financial institutions — and essential to competing with larger banks for consumers.

Abbott Cooper, the head of Driver Management, says Codorus Valley Bancorp is not as profitable as its peers. Cooper, who has successfully forced the sale of at least two other banks, has indicated he's ready to launch a proxy fight.

The Arkansas bank has hired an 11-member team to develop its new operation. Much of the team joins from TCF Financial, which was sold to Huntington Bancshares in June.