The Green Bay bank has seen stable performance since its recent strategy overhaul.

The volume of bank acquisitions — either by credit unions or community banks — has dropped considerably so far in 2023. Experts, including prospective buyers, cite a combination of ongoing regulatory and economic pressures.

With the acquisition, the Lake City, Florida-based community bank will nab a consumer-direct platform and expand its footprint in the Midwest.

Lofty fertilizer and equipment costs are forecast to cut into profits this year. Farmers are expected to seek loans to cover higher expenses, but bankers are likely to be cautious in granting credit given recessionary pressures.

Minority depository institutions are well-placed to direct money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to high-impact projects in underserved communities.

Eric Rosengren, who stepped down as CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in 2021, has been elected an independent director of Berkshire Hill Bancorp. He's its second new board member this year.

In its first three months as a bank, the Boca Raton, Florida-based NewtekOne doubled the size of its deposit base by relying almost exclusively on certificates.

Rising vacancy levels, soaring interest rates and weaknesses exposed by recent bank failures have analysts and investors worried about banks' outsized exposure to high-rise office, apartment and retail properties.

On the anniversary of the Center for Disease Control's mask guidance, banks and credit unions are striking a balance between health and branch security.

Stripping out the 25 largest banks by U.S. assets, Federal Reserve data showed the industry gained back $5.8 billion of deposits.

The Pacific Northwest bank said Robert Butterfield would replace veteran finance chief Peter Conner, who plans to retire this year.

Peapack-Gladstone Financial CEO Doug Kennedy is betting that giving his workforce the same hospitality training hotel employees receive will lead to better customer service and a healthier bottom line.

In March's roundup of American Banker's favorite stories: How rising interest rates took community banks by surprise, small banks and credit unions react to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, ex-Wells Fargo executive Carrie Tolstedt faces potential jail time and more.

Questions about the durability of community banks' customer bases and funding costs could dominate first-quarter earnings calls following the downfalls of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Lenders had started tightening as early as the fourth quarter in anticipation of a possible recession. Now, the banking crisis is driving community and regional banks in particular to hit the brakes harder, stoking renewed recessions fears.

Diversity, equity and inclusion has only grown in importance to the financial services industry over the last few years. For that reason, DEI philosophies are becoming a bigger concern as buyers and sellers try to determine how their corporate cultures might mesh.

The banks invested in bonds at a time when rates were low, and their value has since dropped substantially. While there appears to be very little risk that the banks will ever have to realize the losses, an American Banker data analysis raises questions about whether regulators should toughen their monitoring of interest rate risk.

A reasonable approach to comprehensive credit risk management can protect banks against the impact of a recession while ensuring the industry doesn't contribute to any potential economic volatility.

The combined bank would have more than $8 billion of assets. The acquisition counters a trend of slowed merger activity amid regulatory pressure and an ongoing banking industry crisis.

American Banker is now accepting applications for the Best Banks to Work For 2023 ranking.The registration deadline is May 12.