Olsen Palmer Advises Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in Its Acquisition of American Bank

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 announced that Jewel Box has acquired Ambanc. Upon the closing of the transaction, Jewel Box merged American Bank into FMUB.

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

This transaction marked Jewel Box’s second successful acquisition since the start of 2025, both advised upon by Olsen Palmer LLC. With the addition of American Bank, FMUB approaches $1 billion in assets and expands its branch network to 13 locations across Wisconsin.

Olsen Palmer was the #1 sell-side bank M&A advisor nationwide in 2025 and one of the top 3 overall (sell-side + buy-side) based on transaction count, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

The Business Journals Discusses Olsen Palmer's Insights on the 2025 Bank M&A Year-in-Review and the Outlook for 2026

"The dawn of the next M&A upcycle has seemingly arrived."
The Business Journals discuss Olsen Palmer's insights on the 2025 Bank M&A Year-in-Review and the Outlook for 2026. Read more here and here.

Olsen Palmer Moderates M&A Master Class at Bank Director's Acquire or Be Acquired Conference

Olsen Palmer was pleased to moderate a M&A Master Class at Bank Director's Acquire or Be Conference with Brad Elliott of Equity Bank and Kurt Knutson of Freedom Bank.

Olsen Palmer Advises Citizens Bank & Trust in Its Agreement to Sell 2 Branches

Citizens Bank & Trust and Family Savings Credit Union (“Family Savings”) have entered into an agreement whereby Family Savings will acquire two branches of Citizens Bank & Trust.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Citizens Bank & Trust.

The proposed branch sale is subject to customary closing conditions as well as approval by applicable regulatory authorities. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. Under the terms of the agreement, Citizens Bank & Trust will convey the physical locations and most of the deposit and loan accounts associated with the branches. Citizens Bank & Trust will continue to operate as an independent institution through its remaining locations.

Olsen Palmer was the #1 sell-side bank M&A advisor nationwide in 2025 and one of the top 3 overall (sell-side + buy-side) based on transaction count, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)

Olsen Palmer Advises First Citizens Bank of Butte in Its Sale to Frontier Credit Union

First Citizens Bank of Butte (“First Citizens Bank”), and Frontier Credit Union (“Frontier”) announced that Frontier has acquired First Citizens Bank.

Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial advisor to Butte Bank Shares, Inc., parent of First Citizens Bank.

The legacy First Citizens Bank branch will become the 16th location in Frontier's growing regional footprint. The transaction marks the Idaho-based credit union's initial expansion into Montana.

Olsen Palmer was the #1 sell-side bank M&A advisor nationwide in 2025 and one of the top 3 overall (sell-side + buy-side) based on transaction count, according to S&P Global.

Transaction Announcement (PDF)