De novo institutions

The bank, which already offers mortgages through seven offices across North Carolina, is the fourth group to announce plans for a de novo in the state.

Gulfside Bank, which would be based in Sarasota, is angling to become southwest Florida's first new bank in a decade.

Organizers want to open the first new bank in Michigan since 2009, while a third group in Florida has filed a de novo application.

With substantial regulatory relief within reach, community bankers should use their clout to shape cybersecurity policy and ensure a level playing field for banks and nonbanks, retiring ICBA chief Cam Fine says.

Organizers in Winston-Salem are planning to raise at least $25 million to form Community Bank of the Carolinas.

Two groups have announced plans to open banks in the state, and several others have had talks with regulators. Is there room for more?

Spirit Community Bank would be based in Statesville, a community about 45 miles north of Charlotte. A separate set of organizers has already shared plans to open a bank east of Charlotte.

Organizers aiming to open a de novo just outside Charlotte say there's a need for a new community bank after several years of consolidation in the market.

The as-yet-unnamed bank, which would be based near Charlotte, N.C., would be led by Randy Helton, a former CEO at American Community Bancshares.

Additional consolidation would not strengthen the industry, but would instead leave consumers with less choice and reduced access to financial services.