On Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

On Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

On Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

First Foundation is relocating its corporate headquarters to Dallas, where the tax burden is lighter and it sees more opportunity to beef up lending, add wealth management clients and pursue acquisitions of community banks.

To avoid taxes on the divestiture of a commercial lending unit, Woodforest National Bank backed an Alabama redevelopment project through a government program that promotes investment in underserved communities.

Community banks say Vizaline’s software, which converts property descriptions into images, helps them catch errors before they close real estate loans without resorting to expensive land surveys. But traditional surveyors say the results are of questionable value.

Comerica, Citizens Financial and other companies are buying up securities, paying off high-cost borrowing and trying to develop specialty lending niches. But loan growth remains weak, and the likelihood of extreme volatility in deposits makes it hard to plan ahead.

Barry Orr, who formed FirstBank & Trust of Texas in the 1990s, continued to run the bank after selling it to Heartland Financial USA in 2018.

Acquisitions of wealth management, insurance, fintech and other firms are expected to pick up as banks seek new sources of fee income and look to improve digital capabilities.

Stock Yards Bancorp in Louisville says it would pay $190 million in cash and stock for Kentucky Bancshares.

The investment fund HoldCo Asset Management said the $900 million price tag of the agreement with SVB Financial Group “substantially undervalues” Boston Private Financial Holdings.

The Minnesota credit union's deal for Brainerd Savings & Loan comes about 11 months after it bought Neighborhood National Bank in Minnesota.

Year to date through Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

In these uncertain times, strengthening relationships with clients is the one thing front-line bankers can control.

Diane Arnold, who will succeed the retiring Gregory Shook in July, has been with the bank since 2002. She is currently the chief lending officer.

The Mississippi bank will pay $108 million for the parent of FNB Bank, which has branches in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Brian Argrett, whose City First Bank is being sold to Los Angeles-based Broadway Financial, would take the helm of the combined company at a time of increased national interest in reinvigorating minority-owned financial institutions.

On Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

On Sep. 30, 2020. Dollars in thousands.

Speculation is swirling that the Boston company will go on a buying spree after raising $1.8 billion, though some investors are advising caution. This tension makes CEO Bob Rivers one of our community bankers to watch in 2021.