Evolve Financial institution CEO Bob Hartheimer reserving photograph.
Supply: Shelby County Jail
Bob Hartheimer, CEO of Tennessee’s Evolve Financial institution & Belief, was fired after U.S. legislation enforcement officers caught him propositioning a legislation enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on homosexual courting app Grindr.
On Oct. 19, an worker of the Federal Bureau of Investigation logged onto Grindr whereas pretending to be a teen boy, and a person known as “Tomm” wrote a message to that particular person saying, “Hey any probability u would hu with an older and chill man,” in line with an affidavit from a particular agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that was unsealed on Tuesday.
The 2 mentioned getting collectively in particular person later within the week, in line with the affidavit. On Snapchat, they talked in regards to the intercourse acts they may carry out. “Tomm” requested for a photograph of the “boy” with out shorts on, and he additionally despatched the spy an image of himself bare. The FBI was capable of receive an IP deal with for “Tomm” from Snapchat, in addition to an deal with from Comcast, the affidavit confirmed.
Hartheimer was arrested in Memphis on Oct. 23 for tried manufacturing of kid pornography and switch of obscene materials to a minor, in line with a warrant.
Blake Ballin, a lawyer representing Hartheimer, instructed CNBC on Saturday that Evolve has fired the CEO.
“Bob’s household is conscious of the fees,” Ballin wrote in an e mail. “His household loves and helps him and requests privateness throughout this troublesome interval of their lives. We’ve got no additional remark at the moment.”
The Wall Avenue Journal reported on Hartheimer’s firing from Evolve Financial institution on Friday. The financial institution didn’t reply to a request for remark from CNBC.
Final 12 months, Evolve was caught up within the chapter of economic know-how startup Synapse, which minimize off entry to a system for dealing with transactions and account particulars. Fintech apps comparable to Yotta labored with Evolve and different banks, with Synapse performing as a intermediary.
Synapse’s technique of conserving app customers’ cash in numerous banks, together with Evolve, created accounting issues, and as much as $96 million in deposits went lacking. Hundreds of People misplaced cash, CNBC reported.
In 2024, Evolve additionally suffered a cyberattack, throughout which hackers obtained buyer info and demanded a ransom. The financial institution mentioned it didn’t pay any ransom and the information was ultimately posted on-line.
In August, Evolve, based in 1925, named Hartheimer to exchange CEO Scott Stafford, who retired after becoming a member of the financial institution in 2004.
“This can be a structural change, demonstrating our continued dedication to doing the onerous work to earn again the belief of our prospects, staff, regulators, and traders,” Evolve mentioned.
When he was employed, the financial institution touted Hartheimer’s expertise as director of the Federal Deposit Insurance coverage Company’s Division of Resolutions, in addition to his years as a regulatory advisor for fintech corporations.
“Over the previous 4 a long time, I’ve led, circled, and suggested establishments throughout the monetary panorama,” Hartheimer wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
The financial institution reported web losses for every of the primary three quarters of 2025 after being worthwhile since 2003, in line with information on file with the Federal Monetary Establishments Examination Council.
— CNBC’s Dan Mangan and Hugh Son contributed reporting.
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