ATLANTA — State Bank Financial Corp., the holding company for State Bank and Trust Co., and S Bankshares Inc. announced last month the signing of a definitive agreement for State Bank to acquire S Bankshares and its wholly owned subsidiary, S Bank, in a cash and stock transaction with a purchase price of approximately $11 million, or $56.70 per share.
On March 31, S Bankshares had total assets of approximately $109 million, total loans of approximately $79 million, total deposits of approximately $95 million, and total shareholder’s equity of approximately $11 million. S Bank has banking operations in Savannah, Glennville, Reidsville and Hinesville.
“The port city of Savannah is one of Georgia’s most dynamic markets,” State Bank and Trust CEO Tom Wiley said. “Having lived and banked there for more than 17 years, I believe we can utilize the S Bank platform as a launching pad for building something special.”
Mark Smith, chairman of S Bank, added, “Tom Wiley and Joe Evans have a long history of banking success in Savannah and delivering returns for Savannah investors, myself included. Our board is very pleased to be going into business with them. This merger will be both financially rewarding to S Bank shareholders and good for our community.”
The transaction structure provides for shareholders of S Bankshares to elect between cash and stock, subject to a minimum of 50 percent and a maximum of 60 percent total stock consideration.
The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is anticipated to close in the third quarter of this year. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals and the approval by the shareholders of S Bankshares. Upon closing of the transaction, S Bankshares will merge into State Bank Financial, immediately followed by the merger of S Bank into State Bank and Trust.
After the merger, all S Bank branches will be rebranded as State Bank. Scott Scredon of State Bank said in an email to the Coastal Courier that there are no plans to close branches of either bank at this time.