Evolve Bank and Trust is owned by Evolve Bancorp, Inc., a holding company based in Memphis, Tennessee

Evolve Bank and Trust operates as a subsidiary of Evolve Bancorp, Inc., which is the parent company that holds the bank's charter and oversees its operations. Evolve Bancorp is a publicly traded company, meaning shares are bought and sold on the open market—currently on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol EBTC. This structure means the bank is ultimately owned by its shareholders, not by a single person or private entity.

The bank itself was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. It holds a national bank charter issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which is the federal regulator that oversees national banks. This charter means Evolve Bank and Trust operates under federal banking law and is subject to regular examination and oversight by the OCC.

Key Takeaways

  • Evolve Bank and Trust is owned by Evolve Bancorp, Inc., a publicly traded holding company whose shares trade on NASDAQ under the ticker EBTC.
  • The bank holds a national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, making it a federally regulated institution.
  • Ownership is distributed among thousands of public shareholders rather than concentrated in a single owner or private equity firm.
  • The bank was founded in 2008 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee, where its parent company is also headquartered.

What it means that Evolve is publicly traded

Because Evolve Bancorp is a public company, anyone can buy shares of it through a brokerage account. This means ownership is spread across individual investors, institutional investors like pension funds and mutual funds, and other financial entities. No single shareholder owns the entire bank; instead, each shareholder owns a piece proportional to the number of shares they hold.

Public ownership also means the company must file regular financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and disclose information about its operations, earnings, and risks. These reports are available to the public and can be found on the SEC's EDGAR database or on Evolve Bancorp's investor relations website. This transparency is one of the key differences between a publicly traded bank and a privately held one.

How federal regulation works for Evolve

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is the primary federal regulator for Evolve Bank and Trust. The OCC examines the bank regularly to ensure it is operating safely and soundly, following banking laws, and protecting customer deposits. The bank is also insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which means deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per account category, are protected if the bank fails.

In addition to the OCC, Evolve Bank and Trust may be subject to oversight by the Federal Reserve and other regulatory bodies depending on the specific products and services it offers. This multi-layered regulation is standard for national banks and is designed to protect both customers and the stability of the financial system.

Evolve's role in the fintech and banking ecosystem

Evolve Bank and Trust has become known in recent years for providing banking services to fintech companies and other non-traditional financial businesses. The bank offers services like deposit accounts, payment processing, and lending products to companies that may not have access to traditional banking relationships. This business model has made Evolve a significant player in the fintech banking space.

This focus on fintech partnerships does not change who owns the bank—it remains owned by Evolve Bancorp's shareholders—but it does shape what the bank does and who its customers are. If you hold an account with a fintech company like a buy-now-pay-later service or a digital banking platform, there is a chance that account is actually held at Evolve Bank and Trust behind the scenes, even if you do not see Evolve's name directly.

How to find current ownership information

If you want to see who the largest shareholders of Evolve Bancorp are, you can look at the company's most recent proxy statement, filed annually with the SEC. This document lists the shareholders who own more than 5 percent of the company's shares. You can also find quarterly and annual financial reports on the SEC's EDGAR database by searching for Evolve Bancorp, Inc.

Evolve Bancorp's investor relations website also publishes shareholder information and financial data. For the most current ownership breakdown, check the latest 10-K filing (annual report) or 10-Q filing (quarterly report) with the SEC. These documents are updated regularly and give a snapshot of the company's ownership structure at a specific point in time.

What this means for your account at Evolve

The fact that Evolve Bank and Trust is publicly traded and federally regulated means your deposits are protected by the same safeguards that apply to any other national bank. Your money is insured by the FDIC up to the legal limit, and the bank is examined regularly by federal regulators to ensure it is operating safely. The ownership structure—whether the bank is public or private—does not change the level of protection your deposits receive.

If you hold an account directly with Evolve Bank and Trust, you can verify the bank's charter status and insurance coverage through the FDIC's Bank Find tool on its website. This tool lets you search for any bank by name and see its charter type, insurance status, and regulatory information. Knowing who owns your bank and how it is regulated can give you confidence in where your money is held.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Evolve Bank and Trust a real bank?

Yes. Evolve Bank and Trust holds a national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and is insured by the FDIC. It is a fully regulated bank, not a fintech company or money services business. You can verify its status through the FDIC's Bank Find tool.

Can I buy stock in Evolve Bank and Trust?

You cannot buy stock directly in the bank itself, but you can buy stock in Evolve Bancorp, Inc., the holding company that owns it. Evolve Bancorp trades on NASDAQ under the ticker EBTC. You can purchase shares through any brokerage account.

Who regulates Evolve Bank and Trust?

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is the primary federal regulator. The bank is also insured by the FDIC and may be subject to oversight by the Federal Reserve and other agencies depending on its activities.

If Evolve Bank fails, will my deposits be protected?

Yes. Deposits at Evolve Bank and Trust are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per account category. This protection applies regardless of who owns the bank or its financial condition.

Why does Evolve work with fintech companies?

Evolve Bank and Trust has built its business model around providing banking services to fintech companies and other non-traditional financial businesses. This allows fintech platforms to offer banking products without obtaining their own bank charter. The bank remains a traditional, federally regulated national bank.