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Jacksonville-based EverBank and Seattle-based WaFd will merge in a deal valued at $3.9 billion, creating a $75 billion-asset bank. The surviving holding company will be renamed EverBank Financial Corp. and trade on Nasdaq under EVBK, while WaFd Bank will merge into EverBank. The deal, expected to close in Q1 2027, will have a 13-member board with seven directors from EverBank and six from WaFd. EverBank CEO Greg Seibly will lead the combined bank, with WaFd CEO Brent Beardall as president. The combined bank will have $59 billion in deposits and $58 billion in loans, with EverBank investors owning 59.2% and WaFd investors 40.8%.
Equity Bancshares, based in Wichita, Kansas, announced Thursday a plan to acquire Reinbeck, Iowa-based Lincoln Savings Bank for approximately $123.8 million. The deal, expected to close by year's end, will add 16 locations in central and northeast Iowa and increase Equity's assets to $9.1 billion. It marks Equity's 27th strategic transaction since 2002 and follows a similar acquisition last year. Lincoln has $1.7 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in deposits, and $1.2 billion in loans. Equity expects the deal to be accretive to earnings per share and to earn back tangible book value dilution in less than three years. Lincoln shareholders will receive 77.5% in Equity stock and 22.5% in cash.
Equity Bancshares announced on Thursday its plan to acquire Lincoln Savings Bank in Iowa for approximately $123.8 million, with the deal expected to close by the end of the year, adding 16 branches and bringing total assets to $9.1 billion. This follows a similar-sized transaction last year when Equity acquired Frontier Holdings, aligning with its expansion strategy.
Texas Bank announced the selection of the Narmi Consumer Grow solution to strengthen deposit growth and optimize digital channel experiences for retail and commercial customers. The bank plans to begin implementation in the third quarter of 2026.
Narmi announced an expanded partnership with FIS, now authorized to resell FIS Bill Pay and FIS Zelle. This move allows FIS-core banks to adopt Narmi's digital banking platform while retaining existing FIS products, reducing disruption and vendor complexity.
Kairos Meridian, founded by Aaron Uydess, launches as an independent life sciences consulting firm offering a shorter path from problem to impact. The firm provides unbiased advice across marketing, data, analytics, omnichannel, and AI, serving pharma brands, vendors, and private equity investors.
BCU announces a leadership transition: Jim Block assumes the role of President on July 1, 2026, while Mike Valentine remains CEO until his retirement in early 2027. With over 30 years of experience at BCU, Block will drive strategic and service enhancements.