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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 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 keeping 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 keeping 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 in a position to get hold of an IP tackle for “Tomm” from Snapchat, in addition to an tackle 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 keeping with a warrant.
Blake Ballin, a lawyer representing Hartheimer, informed 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 no additional remark presently.”
The Wall Road 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 monetary expertise startup Synapse, which reduce off entry to a system for dealing with transactions and account particulars. Fintech apps resembling Yotta labored with Evolve and different banks, with Synapse appearing as a intermediary.
Synapse’s methodology of holding app customers’ cash in varied banks, together with Evolve, created accounting issues, and as much as $96 million in deposits went lacking. Hundreds of Individuals misplaced cash, CNBC reported.
In 2024, Evolve additionally suffered a cyberattack, throughout which hackers obtained buyer data and demanded a ransom. The financial institution mentioned it didn’t pay any ransom and the info was ultimately posted on-line.
In August, Evolve, based in 1925, named Hartheimer to interchange 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 clients, 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, rotated, and suggested establishments throughout the monetary panorama,” Hartheimer wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
The financial institution reported internet losses for every of the primary three quarters of 2025 after being worthwhile since 2003, in keeping with knowledge on file with the Federal Monetary Establishments Examination Council.
— CNBC’s Dan Mangan and Hugh Son contributed reporting.
Disclosure: Comcast is the father or mother firm of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would develop into the brand new father or mother firm of CNBC upon Comcast’s deliberate spinoff of Versant.
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