First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (First Citizens Bank), a subsidiary of Raleigh, NC-headquartered First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (First Citizens) announced it has entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to purchase out of FDIC receivership substantially all loans and certain other assets, and assume all customer deposits and certain other liabilities of Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A. The transaction is structured as a whole bank purchase with loss share coverage. First Citizens was selected to complete this transaction through a competitive bidding process.
Frank B. Holding, Jr., Chairman and CEO of First Citizens, said, "First Citizens has a reputation for financial strength, exceptional customer service and prudent lending that spans 125 years. We have partnered with the FDIC to successfully complete more FDIC-assisted transactions since 2009 than any other bank, and we appreciate the confidence the FDIC has placed in us once again. We look forward to building relationships with our new customers and positioning our company for continued success as we affirm our commitment to support the integrity of our nation's banking system."
As part of the agreement, First Citizens Bank will assume Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A. assets of $110 billion, deposits of $56 billion and loans of $72 billion, based on latest information provided by the FDIC. First Citizens Bank will additionally receive an available line of credit from the FDIC for contingent liquidity purposes. In addition, First Citizens Bank has entered into a loss share agreement with the FDIC to provide further downside protection against potential credit losses. First Citizens Bank will not acquire any of the assets, common stock, preferred stock, debt or assume any other obligations of SVB Financial Group, the former holding company of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).
On March 27, the 17 legacy Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A. branches will begin operating as Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank.
There will be no immediate change to customers' current accounts, and they will be able to continue to access their accounts as they do today — through their current websites, mobile apps and branch locations. They can continue to use their checks and cards and will still have ATM and online access to their accounts. Loan customers should continue making loan payments as usual. Customers will be notified of any future account changes in advance.
"First Citizens has a proud history of growing organically and through strategic acquisitions that build our core capabilities in a careful and deliberate manner," said Holding. "This transaction leverages our solid foundation to add significant scale, geographic diversity, compelling digital capabilities and most importantly, meaningful solutions for customers throughout their lifecycle. Specifically, we are committed to building on and preserving the strong relationships that legacy SVB's Global Fund Banking business has with private equity and venture capital firms. This transaction also will accelerate our expansion in California and introduce wealth capabilities in the Northeast. SVB's Private Wealth business is a natural fit for our high-touch and sophisticated level of high-net-worth customer service and approach."
The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation closed SVB of Santa Clara, CA, on March 10, and appointed the FDIC as receiver. Afterward, the FDIC transferred all the deposits of the former Silicon Valley Bank to Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A., operated by the FDIC.
BofA Securities, Inc. is serving as exclusive financial advisor to First Citizens and Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP acted as legal advisor.