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. regulation enforcement officers caught him propositioning a regulation enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on homosexual relationship 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 consumer known as “Tomm” wrote a message to that particular person saying, “Hey any probability u would hu with an older and chill man,” based on 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, based on the affidavit. On Snapchat, they talked in regards to the intercourse acts they could carry out. “Tomm” requested for a photograph of the “boy” with out shorts on, and he additionally despatched the secret agent an image of himself bare. The FBI was capable of receive an IP handle for “Tomm” from Snapchat, in addition to an handle 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, based on a warrant.
Blake Ballin, a lawyer representing Hartheimer, advised 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 now have 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 akin to Yotta labored with Evolve and different banks, with Synapse performing as a intermediary.
Synapse’s technique of retaining app customers’ cash in varied banks, together with Evolve, created accounting issues, and as much as $96 million in deposits went lacking. 1000’s of People misplaced cash, CNBC reported.
In 2024, Evolve additionally suffered a cyberattack, throughout which hackers obtained buyer data and demanded a ransom. The financial institution stated 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.
“It is a structural change, demonstrating our continued dedication to doing the arduous work to earn again the belief of our clients, workers, regulators, and traders,” Evolve stated.
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 firms.
“Over the previous 4 many years, 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, based on knowledge on file with the Federal Monetary Establishments Examination Council.
— CNBC’s Dan Mangan and Hugh Son contributed reporting.
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