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.

Large banks like Chase, PNC and U.S. Bank were seen as having more resources to devote to customer relief and upgrade digital channels that consumers came to rely on, according to a J.D. Power survey.

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.

Citigroup could fetch as much as $6 billion from the sale of retail banking assets in 13 markets across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Middle East as the lender forges ahead with plans to fine-tune its global branch network, people familiar with the plan said.

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

Ken Meyer, who will speak at American Banker's Digital Banking AI & Automation conference next week, says banks should be able to quickly catch up with big technology companies and financial services upstarts in the adoption of artificial intelligence without alienating customers or running afoul of regulators.

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

The deal would be Independent's sixth since 2015 and would continue a wave of consolidation among Boston-area banks.

The Ohio regional took advantage of an unexpected boost in interest income in the first quarter to upgrade its digital platform and recruit bankers in wealth management, capital markets and Small Business Administration lending.

The Maryland company is closer to addressing claims it lacked sufficient controls under its previous management.

Clarity on credit quality has bankers ready to strike deals after a lengthy pause. A steady rise in stock prices has also given potential buyers the financial wherewithal to pursue acquisitions.

The Ohio company has opened just 32 of 120 new branches it plans in the region by 2022, but those offices are making a sizable contribution to growth.