COLUMBUS, Ohio and HOUSTON and TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) ("Huntington") and Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE); ("Cadence") jointly announced that Cadence's shareholders have approved the proposed merger of Cadence into The Huntington National Bank and that Huntington's shareholders have approved the issuance of shares of Huntington's common stock in connection with the proposed merger at their respective special shareholder meetings held today. "T ...

Core Viewpoint - The merger between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. and Synovus Financial Corp. has been completed, creating a larger bank holding company with significant assets and a focus on growth and client relationships [1][2][3]. Company Overview - The newly combined bank holding company has an estimated pro forma combined asset total of $117.2 billion, with deposits of $95.7 billion and loans of $80.4 billion as of September 30, 2025 [2]. - The combined firm operates over 400 locations across nine states in the Southeast and Atlantic coast, with plans to consolidate under the Pinnacle brand by early 2027 [2][3]. Leadership and Integration - The leadership team aims to position the combined entity as the fastest-growing and most profitable regional bank in the nation, emphasizing the importance of long-term relationships [4][6]. - Integration teams are working to ensure a seamless transition, with systems and brand conversions expected in early 2027 [3][6]. Shareholder and Stock Information - Under the merger agreement, each share of legacy Pinnacle common stock was converted into an equal number of shares of the new Pinnacle, while each share of Synovus common stock was converted into 0.5237 shares of new Pinnacle [6]. - The new Pinnacle shares will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2026, with legacy Pinnacle and Synovus being delisted from their respective exchanges [6][7]. Historical Context - The merger was announced on July 24, 2025, with shareholder approval obtained on November 6 and regulatory approvals received shortly thereafter, leading to the completion of the merger on January 1, 2026 [7]. Market Position - Pinnacle Financial Partners is now the largest bank headquartered in Tennessee and the largest bank holding company headquartered in Georgia, holding the number one deposit market share in the Nashville MSA and fourth in the Atlanta MSA [8]. Recognition and Culture - Pinnacle has been recognized as a top employer, ranking ninth in FORTUNE magazine's 2025 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S. and fourth among America's Best Banks to Work For [9].

Core Viewpoint - OceanFirst Financial Corp. and Flushing Financial Corp. have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction valued at $579 million, creating a high-performing regional bank with a significant presence in New Jersey, Long Island, and New York markets [1][3]. Transaction Details - The merger will result in Flushing Bank merging into OceanFirst Bank, with OceanFirst Bank as the surviving entity [1][10]. - Flushing stockholders will receive 0.85 shares of OceanFirst common stock for each share of Flushing common stock [10]. - The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder votes [12]. Financial Metrics - The combined company is projected to have approximately $23 billion in assets, $17 billion in total loans, and $18 billion in total deposits across 71 retail branches [3]. - The merger is expected to enhance profitability metrics, with estimated EPS accretion of 16%, ROATCE of 13%, and ROAA of 1.00% by 2027 [8][9]. - A $225 million equity raise is fully committed at a fixed price, with shares priced at $19.76 [4][11]. Leadership and Governance - Christopher Maher, CEO of OceanFirst, will continue as CEO of the combined company, while John Buran, CEO of Flushing, will become the non-executive Chairman of the Board [6]. - The board will consist of 17 directors, with ten from OceanFirst, six from Flushing, and one from Warburg Pincus [6]. Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is seen as a natural extension of OceanFirst's growth strategy, enhancing its presence in deposit-rich markets of New York [3][6]. - The combination aims to leverage Flushing's distribution network and OceanFirst's relationship-driven business model to better serve customers and create shareholder value [6][7].

Core Insights - Pinnacle Financial Partners is the largest bank in the Nashville MSA by deposits for the eighth consecutive year, holding $21.34 billion in local deposits, which is 21.72% of the total market and over 64% more than its closest competitor [1][2][18] - The firm also ranks No. 2 in Tennessee with a 12.94% market share, having grown its share in the past 12 months, indicating strong local trust and preference [2][3] - Pinnacle's growth is attributed to its ability to attract and retain top banking talent, with significant investments in personnel leading to deposit growth nine times the industry average during the current rate cycle [4][19] Market Performance - Pinnacle grew deposits in 23 out of 27 MSAs measured by the FDIC, with eight markets experiencing double-digit growth and three markets triple-digit growth [3][4] - The firm added more deposit dollars than any other bank in the Nashville market over the past year, showcasing its competitive edge [1][2] - In Tennessee, Pinnacle was the biggest deposit grower, demonstrating its effectiveness in expanding market share [2][3] Strategic Initiatives - The recent merger agreement with Synovus is expected to enhance Pinnacle's growth trajectory, combining similar cultures and operational excellence [4][25] - Pinnacle hired 161 revenue-producing associates in 2024 and an additional 71 in the first half of 2025, which is a key driver of its growth model [4][19] - The firm has been recognized as one of America's Best Banks to Work For, reinforcing its reputation as an employer of choice in the financial services sector [18][24]