Christopher Olsen to Speak at Bank Director's "2025 Acquire or Be Acquired" Conference

Olsen Palmer LLC is pleased to announce that they are a sponsor at Bank Director’s Acquire or Be Acquired Conference being held January 28-30, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona and Managing Partner Christopher Olsen is a featured speaker. Mr. Olsen will Mr. Olsen will moderate a ‘fireside chat’ with MIke Maddox, President & CEO, CrossFirst Bank and Lee Stuart, CEO, NBC Bancshares, LLC. Additionally, Mr. Olsen will be participating in a Point/Counterpoint Debate on the main stage.

The Acquire or Be Acquired Conference is a premier annual event attended by over 1,300 Bank Executives and Board Members that brings together key thought leaders from across the country to explore and discuss bank merger & acquisition strategies and related growth opportunities.

Olsen Palmer Advises Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in its Acquisition of Wisconsin River Bank

Jewel Box Financial Services, Inc. (“Jewel Box”), the holding company of Farmers & Merchants Union Bank (“FMUB”), and River Holding Company (“River Holding”), the holding company of Wisconsin River Bank (“WRB”), have jointly announced Jewel Box has acquired 100% of the capital stock of WRB from River Holding. Jewel Box will merge WRB into FMUB and the surviving bank will operate under the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank name.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Jewel Box Financial Services, Inc.

Based on most recent reported financials, the combined institution has approximately $700 million in total assets and 9 banking offices.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises The Peoples Bank in its Agreement to be Acquired by Hanscom Federal Credit Union

Peoples Bancorp, Inc. (OTCPK: PEBC) ("Peoples"), the holding company for The Peoples Bank ("Peoples Bank"), and Hanscom Federal Credit Union ("HFCU" or "Hanscom") today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive purchase and assumption agreement under which Hanscom will acquire the majority of Peoples Bank's assets and liabilities in an all-cash transaction.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both organizations, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, subject to all regulatory requirements and approvals, including approval of Peoples Bancorp. Inc.'s shareholders, as well as other customary closing conditions. Upon consummation of the transaction, Hanscom will have total assets of approximately $2.1 billion.

The transaction is structured as a purchase and assumption of the majority of Peoples Bank's assets and liabilities in an all-cash transaction. Following the closing of the transaction, Peoples will liquidate the remaining assets and liabilities not purchased by Hanscom, and will distribute the remaining cash to its shareholders in conjunction with, or prior to, the dissolution of the holding company and the bank. The cash distribution to Peoples' shareholders will be dependent upon various factors, which will be described in the Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in the coming months. Hanscom also plans to retain all employees of Peoples Bank after the acquisition.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Heritage Bank in its Agreement to Acquire Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company

Heritage Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Heritage Bank, and Fidelity Kansas Bankshares, Inc., the holding company of Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company, have jointly announced today the signing of a stock purchase agreement whereby Heritage Bancshares, Inc. will acquire Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company. Following the closing of the transaction, Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company will be merged with and into Heritage Bank with Heritage Bank as the surviving entity.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Heritage Bancshares, Inc. in connection with this transaction.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of each company and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions including shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Wilson Bank & Trust in its Agreement to Acquire 1 Branch from F&M Bank

Wilson Bank & Trust ($5.3 billion, “WBT”) announced today that it has entered into a purchase and assumption agreement to acquire an office from F&M Bank ($1.7 billion, “F&M”). Under the terms of the agreement, WBT will acquire the physical location and related fixed assets, substantially all of the customer deposit accounts affiliated with the office, currently estimated at approximately $35 million, and most of the loan accounts associated with the office.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Wilson Bank & Trust in connection with this transaction.

Upon completion of the proposed transaction, WBT will operate 31 offices and will hold more than $4.5 billion in total deposits.

The proposed transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by applicable regulatory authorities, is currently anticipated to close in the first half of 2025.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)