Bank of Edwardsville snags FHLB award
An Illinois bank has snagged bragging rights and a $10,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago for its innovative loan programs serving the underbanked. [Continue]
Midland to buy HomeStar in Illinois
A pair of Illinois banks are merging. Effingham-based Midland States Bancrop agreed to acquire HomeStar Financial Group, Manteno, in an all-stock transaction worth about $10 million. [Continue]
Pot banking edges toward acceptability
Congress took a major step toward opening banking services to the fast-growing marijuana industry last week. The House Financial Services Committee voted 45-15 to send the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act Banking Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to bridge the gap between state and federal laws, to the full House. [Continue]
Security expert says social media info can lead to havoc
With news last week of another data blunder by Facebook, it doesn’t take a reasonable person long to conclude the benefits of online social connectivity are hardly worth the risks. [Continue]
Bowman listening tour stops in New Mexico
Community bankers dealing with ag loan workouts need to understand what carryover debt looks like and be cautious to not extend that debt year over year. [Continue]
Performance Trust to merge with Atlanta M&A firm
Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC of Chicago announced March 25 it is purchasing Banks Street Partners, LLC, an investment banking firm based in Atlanta. [Continue]
Rural Mainstreet Index moves positive on growth
The overall index expanded to 52.9 from 50.2, the highest reading since December 2018 and the eleventh time in the past year it’s been above growth neutral. [Continue]
University acquires lending team
A subsidiary of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based University Bank has bought a local mortgage banking division from Huron Valley Financial. [Continue]
Deal pushes Michigan’s ChoiceOne past $1 billion
Sparta, Mich.-based ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc., parent of ChoiceOne Bank, has signed an agreement with County Bank Corp., to acquire its Lakestone Bank & Trust. Lapeer, Mich.-based County will combine with ChoiceOne in a “strategic merger of equals” creating a $1.3 billion bank. [Continue]
First Premier to build new downtown Sioux Falls HQ
South Dakota’s First PREMIER Bank broke ground on a new main office and corporate headquarters at the northeast corner of Minnesota Avenue and 14th Street in downtown Sioux Falls. [Continue]