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.

Triad Business Bank opened in North Carolina shortly before the launch of the Paycheck Protection Program, which brought in many clients. CEO Ramsey Hamadi, one of our community bankers to watch in 2021, will have to work hard to retain them after their loans are forgiven.

Chris Maher recently unloaded loans hurt by the coronavirus shock, convinced he was freeing the New Jersey company of baggage that could impede a large M&A deal. This assertive move makes him one of our community bankers to watch in 2021.

The company promoted two executives as part of an effort to revamp its leadership team and establish a bigger presence in the Carolinas.

Gilles Gade, one our community bankers to watch in 2021, led an effort that made Cross River Bank one of the biggest Paycheck Protection Program participants. He is ready for his team to pick up where it left off when the new stimulus package kicks in.

Coastal Community in Washington is an investor in and the first client of Synctera, a software company that aims to help community banks manage their fintech relationships, including regulatory obligations.

The company will pay $20 million in cash for a bank with two branches and $58 million of loans.

There’s an alarming gap between how small and large banks view the importance of digital engagement, according to a recent survey by Celent and Arizent.

The agency’s second in-depth study of the community banking sector pointed to continued challenges for local institutions from the pandemic and other headwinds, but many smaller banks are reaping the benefits of M&A and holding their own against larger competitors in key lending categories.

The company agreed will pay nearly $10 million for Sunset parent Waukesha Bankshares.

The Independent Community Bankers of America had planned to hold its annual conference in Hawaii before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

The Amarillo company is buying First National Bank of Tahoka, continuing the industry’s consolidation in the state.

The $62.7 million merger of Linkbancorp and Gratz Bank would create a company with over $800 million of assets and nine branches stretching from Harrisburg to the Philadelphia suburbs.

The architects of two major loan deals featuring Black banks, one involving multiple lenders and a pro sports franchise and another backed by Citigroup, say more transactions like these are in the works.