Minn. bank purchases Arizona bank assets

A Minnesota-based bank has purchased the assets of a Phoenix area bank.

The Arizona Republic reports Stearns Bank National Association, with more than $1 billion in assets, has purchased the assets of Copper Star Bank.

Stearns, which is headquartered in St. Cloud, says Copper Star customers will immediately become customers of Stearns.

In January, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. issued a cease-and-desist order, essentially a reprimand, for Copper Star. A Copper Star senior vice president says they were aware of issues with its loan portfolio.

Stearns has one Arizona location in Scottsdale, and with the acquisition of Copper Star will have four Phoenix area branches.

Copper Star Bank, which was chartered as Scottsdale Community Bank, was formed in 2000.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic

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