The company agreed to pay $104 million for a one-branch bank with $391 million of assets.

Lenders including Howard Bancorp and First Carolina Bank are shunning acquisitions as a route into new markets, to avoid overpaying for targets and inheriting potential loan problems.

The company, once known as Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, plans to launch the as-yet-unnamed platform by the end of this year.

The specialty lender provides leases for preowned Ferraris, Porsches, McLarens, Lamborghinis and other luxury cars.

The purchases of Truck Insurance Specialists and Hometown Insurance are expected to help the company expand its dealings in transportation and agriculture.

With the Paycheck Protection Program likely winding down at the end of the month, many lenders are seeing heightened demand for the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) and 504 loans.

Kearny Bank in New Jersey and four other banks were struggling to manage escrow accounts where the rules vary widely between industries and states, so they teamed up on a tech solution.

Mike Butler will also become president of the de novo, which focuses on technology companies and venture capital firms.

Mike Daniels has been president and CEO of Nicolet's bank since 2015.

The community banks join a growing list of banking companies closing locations as customer preferences shift to digital channels.

The Dallas company will pay nearly $54 million for a 49% stake in a lender that operates in 10 states.

The $56 million acquisition will extend Southern California Bancorp's footprint north of Los Angeles.

The Massachusetts community bank, which rebranded last summer, landed on affiliate marketing as one cost-effective way of attracting choice customers to its business checking and crypto banking capabilities.

The Senate Banking Committee chairman told an audience of community bankers that he supports legislation to close "chartering loopholes" for industrial loan companies and financial technology firms. He also pitched a plan to give all consumers a free digital wallet backed by the Federal Reserve.

The Missouri company announced the deal just five months after buying Seacoast Commerce in San Diego.

The proposed acquisition is the second deal in as two days to involve an Atlanta-based seller.

Bankers say the federal tax exemption for credit unions costs U.S. taxpayers $2 billion each year. But eliminating it would prevent the not-for-profit financial institutions from channeling their savings into higher rates and lower fees that stimulate commerce — and generate additional tax income.

The Illinois companies agreed to merge in a transaction that is expected to close later this year.

The company promoted Bob Fehlman to become its president and hired Jay Brogdon from Stephens Inc. to succeed Fehlman as chief financial officer.

The Georgia company agreed to pay $84 million for a bank with nine branches and $715 million of assets.