Key Takeaways WBS will be acquired in a $12.3B cash & stock deal by SAN, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.Webster shareholders to receive $48.75 cash plus 2.0548 ADS, valuing shares at $75.59.SAN expects $800M in annual pre-tax cost synergies and EPS accretion of about 7-8% by 2028.Webster Financial Corporation (WBS) has agreed to be acquired by Spanish banking giant Banco Santander S.A. (SAN) in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $12.3 billion. The transaction, expected to be closed by the s ...

Regarding the US. The US has been one of the core markets in value creation for the last five years, top three for Santander shareholders in euros and they have done a great job growing profits by 30% over last three years. And why Webster and why now.Webster is a great bank, one of the best by profitability and efficiency with the best buyer with the same footprint. They have 80% commercial business. We have mostly consumer.Together, We're going to take the Santander US now with the corporate bank also to ...

Banco Santander plans to expand its presence in the United States by acquiring the holding company for Connecticut-headquartered Webster Bank for $12.2 billion.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The co ...

Core Viewpoint - Banco Santander is set to enhance its presence in the U.S. by acquiring Webster Bank's holding company for $12.2 billion, aiming to create a top 10 retail and commercial bank in the U.S. by assets [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition will result in a combined business with total assets of $327 billion, loans amounting to $185 billion, and deposits of $172 billion [2]. - The transaction is expected to close in the second half of the year, pending customary closing conditions [3]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition will strengthen Santander's commercial banking presence and expand its retail branch footprint, particularly in Connecticut [4]. - The combined entity will offer customers enhanced digital and mobile banking capabilities, a broader service footprint, and a wider range of products [3]. Group 3: Leadership Perspectives - Christiana Riley, CEO of Santander US, emphasized that the acquisition will lead to a more balanced business mix and sustainable long-term growth [4]. - John R. Ciulla, CEO of Webster Financial Corporation, stated that the transaction will create a stronger partnership for Webster Bank's clients, unlocking greater scale and capabilities [5][6]. Group 4: Recent Developments - Santander's digital banking platform, Openbank, gained over 100,000 customers in the U.S. within its first six months, exceeding growth expectations [6]. - In May, Santander sold a majority of its Polish business to Erste Group for $7.9 billion, indicating a strategic shift in its international operations [7].

Core Viewpoint Civista Bancshares, Inc. reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, highlighting significant growth in net income and earnings per share, driven by disciplined growth strategies and the successful acquisition of The Farmers Savings Bank. Financial Performance - Net income for Q4 2025 was $12.3 million, a 24% increase from $9.9 million in Q4 2024, and $46.2 million for the full year, up 46% from $31.7 million in 2024 [1][5][6] - Earnings per share for Q4 2025 were $0.61, compared to $0.63 in Q4 2024, and $2.64 for the full year, up 31% from $2.01 in 2024 [1][5][6] - The efficiency ratio improved to 57.7% in Q4 2025 from 68.3% in Q4 2024, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of improvement [5][20] Acquisition Impact - The acquisition of The Farmers Savings Bank added approximately $268.1 million in assets, $106.2 million in loans and leases, and $236.1 million in deposits [5][7] - Integration of FSB is on track, with core conversion scheduled for February 2026 [5][8] Asset and Deposit Growth - Total assets reached $4.3 billion, a 5.4% increase from Q3 2025 and a 5.8% increase from Q4 2024 [9] - Total deposits were $3.5 billion, up 7.3% from Q3 2025 and 7.9% from Q4 2024 [10] Net Interest Income and Margin - Net interest income for Q4 2025 was $36.5 million, a 16.3% increase from Q4 2024 [12][14] - Net interest margin improved to 3.69% in Q4 2025 from 3.36% in Q4 2024 [12][19] Non-Interest Income and Expenses - Non-interest income for Q4 2025 totaled $9.9 million, a 9.6% increase from the previous year [17] - Non-interest expenses for Q4 2025 were $31.0 million, a 9.6% increase, influenced by $3.4 million in non-recurring acquisition-related expenses [20][21] Credit Quality - Provision for credit losses decreased to $0.6 million in Q4 2025 from $0.7 million in Q4 2024 [16] - Non-performing assets increased to $31.3 million, a 37.3% rise from Q3 2025 [19] Capital Position - Total shareholders' equity increased to $543.5 million, up $44.4 million from Q3 2025 and $155.0 million from Q4 2024 [23] - The company raised $80.5 million through a public offering in July 2025 [24]

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Houston-based Prosperity Bancshares will acquire Stellar Bank, also based in the city, in a deal worth roughly $2 billion, the banks announced Wednesday. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, is Prosperity’s third announced acquisition since July – and by far the largest.  The Houston bank said in July it would buy fellow Texas lender Am ...

Core Viewpoint - Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. and Southwest Bancshares, Inc. have announced the approval of a merger, with Prosperity continuing as the surviving corporation, and the merger of Texas Partners Bank into Prosperity Bank to follow [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Details - Shareholders of Southwest have approved the merger with Prosperity, which is expected to be completed on February 1, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - The merger has received approvals from the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Texas Department of Banking [1]. Group 2: Company Profiles - Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. is a regional financial holding company based in Houston, Texas, with assets of $38.330 billion as of September 30, 2025, providing a range of personal banking services and investments [3]. - Prosperity operates 301 full-service banking locations across Texas and Oklahoma, focusing on community banking and offering various financial solutions [4]. - Southwest Bancshares, Inc., founded in 2006, is the holding company for Texas Partners Bank, which has assets of $2.52 billion as of September 30, 2025, and serves Central and South Texas with a focus on community relationships [5].

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve has approved Fifth Third's acquisition of Comerica, marking the final regulatory approval needed for the largest proposed banking deal of 2025, expected to close on February 1, with subsequent system and brand conversions later in the year [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Fifth Third's CEO Tim Spence expressed excitement over securing all material approvals, highlighting immediate earnings accretion, no dilution to tangible book value per share, and a clear path to over $500 million in annual revenue synergies from the merger [2] - The acquisition faced opposition from activist investor HoldCo Asset Management, which argued that Comerica could have secured a better deal and subsequently sued the bank [2][3] Group 2: Regulatory Comments and Reactions - The Federal Reserve received 12 adverse comments regarding the deal, with requests for hearings related to HoldCo's lawsuit against both banks, which alleges a breach of fiduciary duty by Comerica's board [3] - Commenters also requested an extension of the comment period for the acquisition to allow the Fed to review material expected from the court case, which was denied [4] Group 3: Executive Compensation - Comerica's CEO Curt Farmer is set to become a vice chair at Fifth Third post-acquisition, with an annual compensation of $8.75 million, alongside a $10 million cash payment for integration and $10.63 million in deferred compensation [5]

Core Viewpoint - Commerce Bancshares, Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of FineMark Holdings, Inc., enhancing its private banking and wealth management capabilities and expanding its geographical presence [1][2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The merger positions Commerce with approximately $36 billion in assets and $90 billion in assets under administration, ranking it 15th among bank-managed trust companies based on pro forma data as of September 30, 2025 [1]. - FineMark National Bank & Trust will be integrated into Commerce Bank and will operate as FineMark Bank & Trust, maintaining existing client relationships and locations [3][5]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to accelerate growth and expand Commerce's reach in wealth management and private banking, particularly in Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina [2][5]. - John Kemper, CEO of Commerce, emphasized the cultural fit and shared client-centric approach between the two organizations, which is anticipated to enhance value for clients and shareholders [3]. Group 3: Leadership and Integration - Joseph Catti will serve as Chairman of Commerce Trust and lead the FineMark Bank & Trust division, with operational system integration planned for the second half of 2026 [3].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp is set to complete its acquisition of BankFinancial Corporation on January 1, 2026, enhancing its presence in the Chicago market with retail consumer-focused locations [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is an all-stock transaction that will add BankFinancial's 18 financial centers and its commercial loan, lease, and deposit lines of business to First Financial [2][3]. - Following the acquisition, First Financial will have $22 billion in assets and will expand its range of consumer, commercial, specialty lending, and wealth management services [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Growth - The acquisition aligns with First Financial's strategy to grow in the Midwest, having previously established a commercial lending presence in Chicago's Fulton Market and acquired Agile Premium Finance in 2024 [4]. - In November 2025, First Financial completed the acquisition of Westfield Bank, further enhancing its commercial banking and wealth management capabilities in Northeast Ohio [4]. Group 3: Operational Transition - BankFinancial locations will continue to operate under their existing name until the conversion process is completed, expected by June 2026, which will integrate the two banks' products and systems [3]. - Clients of BankFinancial will receive information regarding account conversions in the coming months, while First Financial clients will not be affected by the merger [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial Bancorp had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity [5]. - The company operates 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and has a wealth management division with approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management [5].