We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
First Citizens (FCNCA) Closes Merger Agreement With CIT Group
Read MoreHide Full Article
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA - Free Report) completes its previously announced merger deal with CIT Group Inc. . The merger, announced in October 2020, has led to creating the 20th largest bank in the United States in terms of assets.
It compiles First Citizens' low-cost retail deposit franchise and suite of banking products with CIT Group's national commercial lending expertise and strong market position.
The transaction will result in enhanced scale and improved profitability. It will also help boost shareholder value. The combined company, which will now operate under the First Citizens name, has more than $100 billion in assets, serving more than 600 branches in 22 states and a national direct bank.
CIT Group, CIT Bank and OneWest Bank will initially operate as divisions of First Citizens Bank, with customers continuing to bank as they normally do. In the coming months, a series of conversions to First Citizens' systems and operations will take place.
The former chairwoman and CEO of CIT Group, Ellen R. Alemany, along with First Citizens' vice chairwoman, Hope Holding Bryant, will now serve on the combined firm's board. The new board has 11 current First Citizens directors and three former CIT Group board members.
First Citizens' chairman and CEO, Frank B. Holding Jr., stated, "This is a transformational milestone in our 124-year history. It brings together two companies with deep traditions of service and excellence. We're not just creating a bigger bank – we're creating an even better bank – one that helps more people in more places and strengthens the communities we serve. Completion of the merger is a testament to the many associates on our teams who have worked so diligently to get us here."
Holding added, "For CIT clients, First Citizens brings its proven record of safety, security and focus on long-term relationships while maintaining the expertise and agility that they have come to expect. For First Citizens customers, everything they count on us for will stay the same: same service, same values, same commitment to helping them do more with their money. In the long term, all our customers will get even more services, more ways to manage their money and more places to find us."
Deal Details and Financial Impact
At the time of the deal announcement, it was agreed that shareholders of CIT Group would get 0.0620 shares of First Citizens' common stock for each of their own shares held. First Citizens' shareholders would, thus, own 61% of the combined firm and the remaining 39% would be owned by CIT Group's stockholders.
Notably, in September 2021, the agreement's term was extended from Oct 15, 2021, to Mar 1, 2022.
At the time of the deal announcement, it was expected that pro-forma, the merger would result in combined non-interest expense savings of 10% or $250 million (fully phased-in). Merger-related costs were expected to be $445 million.
Tangible book value per share accretion of more than 30% was expected at close. On a pro-forma basis, it was expected that the combined firm would deliver top-tier operating performance, with a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 13%.
Over the past six months, shares of First Citizens have rallied 11.4% compared with 13.8% growth of the industry.
Inorganic Growth Efforts by Other Finance Companies
Over the last few months, several finance sector companies have made consolidation efforts to counter the low-interest-rate environment and heightened costs of investments in technology.
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS - Free Report) completed the acquisition of American First Finance, a technology-driven, virtual lease-to-own and retail finance provider for underserved, non-prime customers. The cash-and-stock transaction, valued at $916 million, was announced in October 2021.
FirstCash has a proven performance history in retail-based operations, primarily for cash-and-credit constrained consumers. Via the acquisition, FCFS will become a pioneer in the complementary and burgeoning point-of-sale and buy-now-pay-later payment space.
In early December, United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI - Free Report) announced the completion of its merger deal with Community Bankers Trust Corporation.
The buyout brought together two high-performing banking companies. It also bolsters United Bankshares' position as one of the largest and best-performing regional banking companies in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The combined entity will now operate across 250 locations in opportunistic markets in the United States.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
First Citizens (FCNCA) Closes Merger Agreement With CIT Group
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (FCNCA - Free Report) completes its previously announced merger deal with CIT Group Inc. . The merger, announced in October 2020, has led to creating the 20th largest bank in the United States in terms of assets.
It compiles First Citizens' low-cost retail deposit franchise and suite of banking products with CIT Group's national commercial lending expertise and strong market position.
The transaction will result in enhanced scale and improved profitability. It will also help boost shareholder value. The combined company, which will now operate under the First Citizens name, has more than $100 billion in assets, serving more than 600 branches in 22 states and a national direct bank.
CIT Group, CIT Bank and OneWest Bank will initially operate as divisions of First Citizens Bank, with customers continuing to bank as they normally do. In the coming months, a series of conversions to First Citizens' systems and operations will take place.
The former chairwoman and CEO of CIT Group, Ellen R. Alemany, along with First Citizens' vice chairwoman, Hope Holding Bryant, will now serve on the combined firm's board. The new board has 11 current First Citizens directors and three former CIT Group board members.
First Citizens' chairman and CEO, Frank B. Holding Jr., stated, "This is a transformational milestone in our 124-year history. It brings together two companies with deep traditions of service and excellence. We're not just creating a bigger bank – we're creating an even better bank – one that helps more people in more places and strengthens the communities we serve. Completion of the merger is a testament to the many associates on our teams who have worked so diligently to get us here."
Holding added, "For CIT clients, First Citizens brings its proven record of safety, security and focus on long-term relationships while maintaining the expertise and agility that they have come to expect. For First Citizens customers, everything they count on us for will stay the same: same service, same values, same commitment to helping them do more with their money. In the long term, all our customers will get even more services, more ways to manage their money and more places to find us."
Deal Details and Financial Impact
At the time of the deal announcement, it was agreed that shareholders of CIT Group would get 0.0620 shares of First Citizens' common stock for each of their own shares held. First Citizens' shareholders would, thus, own 61% of the combined firm and the remaining 39% would be owned by CIT Group's stockholders.
Notably, in September 2021, the agreement's term was extended from Oct 15, 2021, to Mar 1, 2022.
At the time of the deal announcement, it was expected that pro-forma, the merger would result in combined non-interest expense savings of 10% or $250 million (fully phased-in). Merger-related costs were expected to be $445 million.
Tangible book value per share accretion of more than 30% was expected at close. On a pro-forma basis, it was expected that the combined firm would deliver top-tier operating performance, with a return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) of 13%.
Over the past six months, shares of First Citizens have rallied 11.4% compared with 13.8% growth of the industry.
Currently, First Citizens carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Inorganic Growth Efforts by Other Finance Companies
Over the last few months, several finance sector companies have made consolidation efforts to counter the low-interest-rate environment and heightened costs of investments in technology.
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS - Free Report) completed the acquisition of American First Finance, a technology-driven, virtual lease-to-own and retail finance provider for underserved, non-prime customers. The cash-and-stock transaction, valued at $916 million, was announced in October 2021.
FirstCash has a proven performance history in retail-based operations, primarily for cash-and-credit constrained consumers. Via the acquisition, FCFS will become a pioneer in the complementary and burgeoning point-of-sale and buy-now-pay-later payment space.
In early December, United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI - Free Report) announced the completion of its merger deal with Community Bankers Trust Corporation.
The buyout brought together two high-performing banking companies. It also bolsters United Bankshares' position as one of the largest and best-performing regional banking companies in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The combined entity will now operate across 250 locations in opportunistic markets in the United States.