Olsen Palmer Advises Mechanics Bank in its Agreement to be Acquired by BankFirst Capital Corporation

Mechanics Banc Holding Company (“Mechanics”), the parent company of Mechanics Bank, today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with BankFirst Capital Corporation (OTCQX:BFCC) (“BankFirst”), parent of BankFirst Financial Services, under which BankFirst will acquire Mechanics and Mechanics Bank for all-cash consideration.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Mechanics Bank Holding Company in connection with this transaction.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of each company, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the shareholders of Mechanics and bank regulatory authorities.

Founded in 1892, Mechanics Bank has six banking offices and approximately $331 million in total assets as of June 30, 2022.

After the merger is completed, and assuming the completion of an unrelated previously-announced transaction, BankFirst is expected to have 42 offices and have assets in excess of $2.7 billion.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisory firms nationwide according to S&P Global, as ranked by the total number of whole-bank M&A transactions the firm has advised upon over the last three years.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Bank of Burlington in its Agreement to be Acquired by Farmers & Merchants Bank of Colby

Burlington Holdings, Inc., the holding company of Bank of Burlington, and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Colby (“F&M”) jointly announced that they have entered into a stock purchase agreement whereby F&M will acquire all of the shares of Bank of Burlington common stock.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Burlington Holdings, Inc. in conjunction with this transaction.

The acquisition, which is subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals, is expected to be completed in the Q4 2022.

Bank of Burlington was founded in 1931 and operates two full-service branch offices in Colorado. Bank of Burlington had total assets of approximately $75 million as of June 30, 2022.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Colby is a subsidiary of the multi-bank holding company, Security Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Scott City, Kansas. F&M was founded in 1887 and operates two full-service branch offices in Colby, Kansas. Additionally, in 2023 they will add a new branch in Bennett, CO. As of June 30, 2022, F&M had total assets of approximately $336 million.

On a pro forma basis, F&M will have five full-service banking branches – 2 in Kansas and 3 in Colorado – and total assets of approximately $411 million, based on data as of June 30, 2022.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisory firms nationwide according to S&P Global, as ranked by the total number of whole-bank M&A transactions the firm has advised upon over the last three years.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Boundary Waters Bank in its Agreement to be Acquired by Highland Bank

Boundary Waters Bank has signed a definitive agreement to be purchased by Highland Bank, pending regulatory approval.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Boundary Waters Bank.

Boundary Waters Bank, chartered in 1999, has offices in Ely, Woodbury, and Blaine, Minnesota and had total assets of approximately $115 million as of June 30, 2022.

Founded in 1943, Highland Bank is an independent, privately held bank serving the communities of St. Michael, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Bloomington, and St. Paul that had total assets of approximately $630 million as of June 30, 2022. With the addition of the three Boundary Waters Bank branches, Highland Bank will operate eight locations in Minnesota and hold approximately $750 million in assets.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisory firms nationwide according to S&P Global, as ranked by the total number of whole-bank M&A transactions the firm has advised upon over the last three years.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises The Farmers Bank of Mt. Pulaski in its sale to Longview Capital Corporation

The Farmers Bank of Mt. Pulaski (“Farmers Bank”) announced today that it has been acquired in an all cash transaction by Longview Capital Corporation, parent company of Longview Bank, Longview Bank & Trust, and the Bank of Gibson City (collectively, “Longview”).

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to The Farmers Bank of Mt. Pulaski.

Vedder Price P.C. served as legal advisor to Farmers Bank while Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP served as legal counsel to Longview.

Olsen Palmer LLC remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisory firms nationwide according to S&P Global based on the total number of bank M&A transactions advised upon over the past three years.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Citizens State Bank in its Sale to Avadian

Citizens State Bank, the banking subsidiary of Citizens Southern Bancshares, Inc., has been acquired by Avadian. The transaction was structured as a purchase and assumption transaction and the consideration was all-cash.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Citizens Southern Bancshares, Inc.

Jones Walker LLP served as legal advisor to Citizens Southern Bancshares, Inc. while Honigman LLP served as legal advisor to Avadian.

Olsen Palmer LLC remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisory firms nationwide according to S&P Global as ranked by the total number of whole-bank M&A transactions advised upon over the last three years.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)