Lake City, Florida-headquartered First Federal Bank has acquired NOLA Lending Group, the mortgage division of New Orleans-based Fidelity Bank.
Under the terms of the agreement, First Federal Bank will purchase NOLA Lending Group assets and will continue to serve Fidelity customers from existing locations across Louisiana and in Pensacola, Florida, and McComb and Ridgeland, Mississippi. First Federal anticipates retention of most NOLA Lending Group employees.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. John Medina, president and CEO of First Federal Bank, stated: “Our mission is to provide mortgages from a financially stable institution that is a great place to work and bank. This acquisition underscores our commitment to the residential mortgage sector. We look forward to serving NOLA Lending Group mortgage customers with the same excellence they have come to expect from their team.”
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with a partner that will continue to allow our talented and dedicated team to focus on delivering exceptional mortgage banking solutions to customers in our core markets,” added Chris Ferris, president and CEO of Fidelity Bank. “Fidelity Bank’s strategic plan for 2026 includes a renewed focus on sound execution of banking, which will support shareholder value.”
