Community banking

Farmers & Merchants Bank in California Hires COO

By Chris Cumming August 07, 2013, 9:58 a.m. EDT 1 Min Read

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (FMBL) in California has hired a chief operating officer.
Melissa Lanfre, who will also join Farmers & Merchants' executive management team, will oversee its 21 branches, the $5.1 billion-asset company announced Wednesday.

Lanfre joins Farmers & Merchants from Beach Business Bank in Manhattan Beach, Calif., where she was chief administrative officer. Beach Business Bank was acquired in June 2012 by First PacTrust, now Banc of California (BANC). Earlier, she worked at Cerritos Valley Bank, First Professional Bank and Harbor Bancorp.

Lanfre "is a highly experienced executive who understands the intricacies of the Southern California community banking sector," Daniel Walker, Farmers & Merchants' chairman and chief executive, said in a press release. "Her wealth of knowledge will be a tremendous asset to Farmers & Merchants Bank, reflective of our continuing growth in the Southern California marketplace."

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.

Community banking

MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER

Deposits

State Street deposited $100 million at minority banks in 2024

The custody bank achieved its goal for the amount of deposits it placed into minority banks and community development financial institutions by the end of the year.

By Allissa Kline

27m ago
Lawsuits

CFPB accuses Walmart and Branch of opening illegal accounts

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Walmart and payment app Branch Messenger, accusing them of illegally opening 1 million deposit accounts and charging $10 million in fees. Branch said the agency refused to engage in any meaningful way about the matter.

By Kate Berry

38m ago
OCC

OCC issues Bank of America cease-and-desist for AML lapses

Bank of America must overhaul anti-money-laundering protocols and hire third-party consultants, but will not face growth limits, following OCC action for compliance deficiencies.

By Ebrima Santos Sanneh

47m ago
Politics and policy

Why setting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac free is a gamble

Releasing the GSEs from government conservatorship is on the agenda for the incoming Trump administration. Doing so could threaten the 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

By Kyle Campbell

58m ago
Economy

The economy is looking good for banks in 2025 — but watch out for 2026

Economists say the U.S. economy is leaving 2024 healthy, with unemployment low, inflation manageable and growth robust. Unknown variables — including the depth and scope of President-elect Donald Trump's immigration and tariff policies — could change that course, but likely not until 2026.

By John Heltman

7h ago
M&A

Banner year for CU-bank tie-ups extends with deal in Maryland

Hanscom Federal Credit Union in Massachusetts said it would acquire Peoples Bancorp and its insurance agency. It marked the 21st deal of the year involving a credit union buying a bank.

By Jim Dobbs

December 20