Olsen Palmer Advised Bank of the Southwest in its Agreement to be Acquired by GECU

Bank of the Southwest, a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Mexico National Financial Incorporated, and GECU announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby GECU will  purchase substantially all of the assets and assume substantially all the liabilities of Bank of the Southwest.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to New Mexico National Financial Incorporated.

Following completion of the acquisition, which is subject to approval from the National Credit Union Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division, the combined entity is expected to emerge as a $4.7 billion organization serving more than 440,000 members and customers with more than 30 branches. The proposed acquisition received the unanimous support of GECU’s and Bank of the Southwest’s Boards of Directors and their respective leadership teams.

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 Advised Citizens Bank & Trust in its Agreement to be Acquired by CB&S Bank

TAG Bancshares, Inc. (“TAG”), holding company for Citizens Bank & Trust, and CBS Banc-Corp. (“CBS”), holding company for CB&S Bank, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby TAG will merge with and into CBS. Shareholders of TAG will receive 100% cash consideration.

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

The merger of CBS and TAG will create a combined company with approximately $3.0 billion in assets. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will continue to operate under the CB&S Bank brand.

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 Advised Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in its Agreement to Acquire American Bank of Beaver Dam

Jewel Box Financial Services, Inc. (“Jewel Box”), the holding company of Farmers & Merchants Union Bank (“FMUB”), and Ambanc Financial Services, Inc. (“Ambanc”), the holding company of American Bank of Beaver Dam (“American Bank”), have jointly announced today that they have entered into an agreement and plan of merger whereby Jewel Box will acquire Ambanc subject to customary shareholder and regulatory approval. Jewel Box will then merge American Bank 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.

The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of each company and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Nationwide, Olsen Palmer is one of the top 3 overall bank M&A advisors based on the number of transactions advised upon since 2020, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advised Rosedale Bank in its Assumption of Certain Liabilities and Acquisition Certain Assets from Eastern Savings Bank FSB

Rosedale Bank has assumed deposits and certain other liabilities and purchased deposit account overdrafts, overdraft lines of credit, and certain other assets of Eastern Savings Bank FSB. Other than the overdrafts, no loans have been purchased by Rosedale in the transaction.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Rosedale Bank.

With the consummation of the transaction, the purchased assets and assumed deposits have been incorporated into existing Rosedale locations. Rosedale continues to operate 13 full-service branches. As of June 30, Rosedale had total assets of $1.3 billion and total deposits of $1.0 billion.

Olsen Palmer remains one of the top 3 bank M&A advisors nationwide based on total transaction count since 2020, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

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)