2025-02-18 | Conditional Approval 1333Added
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conditionally approves CenTrust Bank, National Association's application to effect a substantial asset change resulting from a material increase in size due to an acquisition by Billfloat, Inc. d/b/a SmartBiz. The approval requires the bank to maintain a tier 1 leverage ratio of no less than 11.0 percent for three years, receive a $6 million capital injection, and submit a Community Reinvestment Act Strategic Plan within specified deadlines. Additionally, the OCC grants residency waivers for non-resident directors and imposes conditions regarding prior notice for business plan deviations and executive officer approvals during the first two to three years of operation.
Conditional Approval #1333 March 2025 February 18, 2025 Via Electronic Mail Gerard J. Buccino Chief Executive Officer CenTrust Bank, National Association 385 Waukegan Road Northbrook, IL 60062 Re: Substantial Asset Change Application and Residency Waivers CenTrust Bank, National Association, Northbrook, Illinois Charter Number: 24617 OCC Control Numbers: 2023-5.53-334213 and 2024-Waiver-337608 Dear Mr. Buccino: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) hereby conditionally approves the application of CenTrust Bank, National Association, Northbrook, Illinois (CenTrust), to effect a substantial asset change resulting from a material increase in size. The application is part of a larger transaction in which Billfloat, Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as SmartBiz Loans (SmartBiz), seeks to become a bank holding company by indirectly acquiring CenTrust. This conditional approval is granted after a thorough review of all available information, including the representations and commitments made in the application and by CenTrust’s and SmartBiz’s representatives. CenTrust applied to the OCC for prior approval of a substantial asset change under 12 CFR 5.53. The proposed transaction will occur in two steps: (i) first, SmartBiz has established a merger subsidiary that will merge with and into United Community Bancshares, Inc. (UCB), a Delaware corporation and CenTrust’s bank holding company, with UCB remaining as the surviving entity; and (ii) second, SmartBiz will merge with and into UCB, with UCB surviving (collectively, the Transaction). The business plan indicates that SmartBiz will expand the national bank’s lending and deposit-taking activites nationwide causing a material increase in assets, as well as offer a loan origination platform to partner banks. The business plan also provides that CenTrust Bank, National Association will be renamed as SmartBiz Bank, National Association (collectively, the Bank). In deciding the change in asset composition application, the OCC considered the factors under 12 CFR 5.53(d)(3) including the capital level of the resulting institution; the conformity of the transaction to applicable law, regulation and supervisory policies; the purpose of the transaction; the transaction’s impact on the safety and soundness of the bank; and any effect on the bank’s shareholders, depositors, other creditors, and customers. The OCC also considered additional factors under 12 CFR 5.20(f)(2) including whether the directors are familiar with national banking laws and regulations; whether there is competent management, including a board of
2 directors, with ability and experience relevant to the types of services to be provided; whether capital is sufficient to support the projected volume and type of business; whether the institution can reasonably be expected to achieve and maintain profitability; whether the institution will be operated in a safe and sound manner; and whether the title misrepresents the nature of the institution or the services it offers. The OCC reviewed all factors and deemed conditional approval consistent with regulatory requirements. Additionally, the OCC hereby grants a waiver of the residency requirements of 12 USC 72 for the non-resident directors listed in Attachment A for the Bank. These waivers are based upon a thorough review of all available information, including the representations and commitments made in the application by CenTrust’s and SmartBiz’s representatives. The OCC reserves the right to withdraw the waivers at any time and, at our discretion, to request additional biographical and/or financial information on these individuals. All other requirements of 12 USC 72 remain applicable. This approval is subject to the following conditions:
3 6. The Bank shall submit a draft Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Strategic Plan within ninety (90) days of the closing of the Transaction and a finalized CRA Strategic Plan within twelve (12) months of the closing of the Transaction. 7. The Bank shall take all steps necessary to ensure compliance with all representations and commitments made by CenTrust, SmartBiz, and their representatives in the application, including those set forth in the letter dated February 5, 2025, from Gerard Buccino, Chief Executive Officer, to the OCC, and to see that they are fully adopted, timely implemented, and adhered to thereafter. The conditions of this approval are conditions “imposed in writing by a Federal banking agency in connection with any action on any application, notice, or other request” within the meaning of 12 USC 1818. As such, the conditions are enforceable under 12 USC 1818. This approval is also subject to the following pre-consummation requirement:
4 If you have any questions, contact David Hanlon at david.hanlon@occ.treas.gov or 202-450-0177. Please include the OCC control number on any correspondence related to this filing. Sincerely, /s/ Debra M. Burke Director for Licensing
5 Attachment A Directors Granted Residency Waivers Evan Singer Brian Ascher Tim Bogan Ann Marie Mehlum Sean O’Malley Noah Walley Hope Mehlman