AI Agent Shoppers Challenge Lenders’ Fraud-Fighting Tools, Experts Say
Existing fraud-fighting tools are built to look for robot-like activity. But that means they try to stop legitimate AI agents from doing someone’s shopping for them.
Why Hometown Financial Broke from Mutual Bank Path
One of Massachusetts’ largest mutual bank holding companies is switching to a stock institution, highlighting a philosophical divide among industry leaders about the best way to grow and succeed.
Hometown Financial Plans Stock Conversion, Purchase of NH Bank
The state’s second-biggest mutual holding company, Hometown Financial Group, Inc., says it’s converting to a stock bank as part of a deal to buy New Hampshire-based Primary Bank.
Mass. Migration Aiding Bank Movement to New Hampshire
What’s driving bank after Massachusetts-based bank to buy smaller New Hampshire lenders? Executives cite factors familiar to anyone who’s moved north, themselves.
How Fraud Fight Shapes Your Local Financial Institution
As bank fraudsters get more professional, fraud losses mount – and have implications beyond local lenders IT departments, even extending to M&A.
North Shore Bank Rebrands to TruNorth
After growing its branch footprint far beyond its name in the last two years, North Shore Bank has rebranded to TruNorth Bank.
Mass. CUs Want Share of Bank M&A
When Hanscom Federal Credit Union bought a Maryland bank last month, it did something that’s illegal for its state-chartered peers.
Personnel File – No. 430
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored, it’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
In Fight for Deposit Dollars, Banks Wield Data – and Relationships
The Federal Reserve’s fall rate-cutting cycle has local banks staring each other down. At stake: shrinking profit margins and access to the deposits they need to make money.
Colonial Federal Savings Bank Acquired by Hometown Financial
Hometown Financial Group has completed its acquisition of Colonial Federal Savings Bank, the holding company’s eighth merger in a decade.
September Rate Cut Will Be Felt in CRE Refi Market
A highly anticipated rate cut in September will help Massachusetts developments looking to refinance debt, but bankers don’t expect much immediate impact on loan pricing.
Big Costs Could Limit Small Banks’ Ability to Merge
This year started off looking like a bumper year for bank M&A in Massachusetts. But there’s an anchor out there that’s likely holding back more combinations.
North Shore Bank Names New CEO
North Shore Bank has named Michael R. Wheeler as its new president and chief executive officer, just a day after announcing a merger.
Hometown Financial Group Buying Colonial Federal Savings Bank
North Shore Bank, part of Hometown Financial Group, will buy Quincy-based Colonial Federal Savings Bank in a $44 million deal.
In Tariff War, Mass. Banks Could Lose
The Trump administration’s back-and-forth tariff policy is engendering skepticism from local financial institutions at the same time it appears to be scaring consumers and local businesses.
Execs See Pressures Building for More Bank M&A in 2025
With the Federal Reserve expected to dramatically slow its pace of rate cuts, top Massachusetts bankers say they anticipate more consolidation this year.
Personnel File – No. 397
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
Abington Bank Finalizes Merger with North Shore Bank
This transaction is the seventh strategic merger for Hometown Financial Group in the last nine years.
Mass. Banks Stare Down Zelle Fraud
Sophisticated bank scammers aren’t going away – and nor are controversies over banks’ reimbursement policies for victims of fraud involving leading instant-payment tools.
North Shore Bank, Abington Bank to Merge
Hometown Financial Group is growing its eastern Massachusetts footprint as it announced a merger between Abington Bank and North Shore Bank on Thursday.
