Finance

By Business Observer Staff
June 17, 2022

Coral Gables community bank enters Tampa Bay market

Amerant Bank’s Tampa headquarters will be in the MetWest International mixed-use development in the Westshore business district.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Brian Hartz
June 17, 2022

Aggressive growth has credit unions in bankers' crosshairs

As Florida community banks vanish, credit unions flourish through mergers and acquisitions, drawing scrutiny of pro-bank lobbyists.

Finance

By Mark Gordon
June 16, 2022

California bank drives forward on ambitious Florida expansion plans

Sunwest Bank has high hopes for the Sunshine State.

Finance

By Business Observer Staff
June 15, 2022

A year after launch, bank grows to more than $200M in assets

Climate First Bank opened two branches and has a third in the works.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
June 10, 2022

Dunedin credit union launches bitcoin services for members

Achieva Credit Union has partnered with cryptocurrency company NYDIG.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
June 1, 2022

Raymond James completes $1.1B deal for Pittsburgh financial services firm

TriState Capital Holdings and its subsidiary will continue to operate under their established brands.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Brian Hartz
May 21, 2022

Credit unions near and far target Florida banks for acquisition

Banking sector consolidation continues — but with a Midwestern twist.

News

By Business Observer Staff
May 16, 2022

St. Petersburg bank rebrands, changes name

First Home Bank, St. Petersburg, Florida's only locally owned community bank, has changed its name to BayFirst and updated its branding with a new logo.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
May 13, 2022

Clearwater finance company appoints interim CEO

Mike Rost, a 20-year veteran of Nicholas Financial Inc., succeeds Douglas Marohn.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Business Observer Staff
May 12, 2022

Michigan credit union to acquire Tampa-based bank

First Citrus Bank will become part of DFCU Financial, which has $6.4 billion in assets and is entering the Florida market for the first time.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

By Amanda Postma
April 22, 2022

Community banks feel pinch of shifting industry

Several community banks in the region are looking to find opportunity amid a heavy amount of challenges, leading with the industry’s rapid digital shifts.

Finance

By Brian Hartz
April 21, 2022

Banker's ascension a sign of local market's importance

Recently promoted to head of commercial banking at Valley Bank, veteran Tampa Bay banker Joe Chillura embraces the challenges of a post-COVID economy.