Olsen Palmer Advises Bank Star in Its Agreement to Be Acquired by Peoples Savings Bank

BancStar, Inc., the holding company of Bank Star, and Rhineland Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Peoples Savings Bank, have jointly announced today the signing of a definitive agreement whereby Rhineland Bancshares, Inc. will acquire BancStar, Inc. Following the closing of the transaction, BancStar, Inc. will be merged with and into Rhineland Bancshares, Inc. with Rhineland Bancshares, Inc. continuing as the surviving entity.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to BancStar, Inc.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of each company and is expected to close in Q1 of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including shareholder and regulatory approvals. The combined institution is expected to have 18 banking offices.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 overall bank M&A advisors nationwide based on the number of transactions advised upon since 2020, according to S&P Global. The firm’s Managing Partner Christopher Olsen is the #1 individual bank M&A advisor nationwide over the same period.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Uinta Bank in Its Agreement to Be Acquired by Integra BG LLC

UCSB Financial Corporation, parent company of Uinta Bank, has agreed to be acquired by Integra BG LLC. The new entity will be renamed Tanager Bank.

Olsen Palmer LLC was engaged by UCSB Financial Corporation in conjunction with this transaction.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and the completion of various closing conditions. It is anticipated to close in early 2026.

Olsen Palmer remains a top 3 overall bank M&A advisor nationwide based on the number of transactions advised upon since 2020, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises Ark Valley Bankshares, Inc. in Its Agreement to Be Acquired by Pueblo Bancorporation

Ark Valley Bankshares, Inc., the holding company of The State Bank, and Pueblo Bancorporation, the holding company of The Pueblo Bank and Trust Company (“PB&T Bank”), jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement whereby Pueblo Bancorporation will acquire Ark Valley Bankshares, Inc.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Ark Valley Bankshares, Inc.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of each company and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Olsen Palmer remains a top 3 overall bank M&A advisor nationwide based on the number of transactions advised upon since 2020, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises First Citizens in Its Agreement to Merge with Park National in $321MM Deal

First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (OTCEM: FIZN, $2.5 Billion in assets, “First Citizens”) and Park National Corporation (NYSE: PRK, $9.9 Billion in assets, “Park”) today announced they have signed a definitive agreement pursuant to which First Citizens will merge with and into Park.

Olsen Palmer LLC initiated the transaction, is serving as exclusive financial advisor to First Citizens Bancshares, Inc., and issued a fairness opinion to its Board of Directors.

The aggregate value of the all-stock transaction is approximately $321.0 million, based on the mutually-agreed upon fixed exchange ratio of 0.52 and Park’s recent average closing price, valuing First Citizens at a price-to-tangible book multiple of 1.84x and a price-to-earnings (LTM) multiple of 15.0x.

This is Park’s largest ever bank acquisition and its first in 7 years. With this transaction, Park will enter a new state banking market and will also cross over the $10 billion asset threshold.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisors nationwide – and #2 sell-side – as ranked by the aggregate number of whole-bank M&A transactions advised upon since 2020. Over that same period, the firm’s Managing Partner Christopher Olsen is the #1 individual bank M&A advisor nationwide as ranked by total deal count, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises TruPoint Bank in Acquisition of First Community Bank

Miners and Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“Miners and Merchants”), the parent company of TruPoint Bank, and First Community Corporation (OTCPK: FCCT, “First Community”), the parent company of First Community Bank (“FCB”), today jointly announced that Miners and Merchants has acquired First Community and FCB.

Olsen Palmer LLC serves as financial advisor to Miners and Merchants Bancorp, Inc.

The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of both companies and has received shareholder and regulatory approvals. The combined institution has 16 branches.

Olsen Palmer remains a top 3 overall bank M&A advisor nationwide based on the number of transactions advised upon since 2020, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)