First Busey Corporation, the holding company for Busey Bank, and Merchants and Manufacturers Bank Corporation (M&M), the holding company for Merchants & Manufacturers Bank (M&M Bank), jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Busey will acquire M&M Bank through a merger transaction. The partnership will enhance Busey’s growing suburban Chicago market presence by expanding the company’s deposit market share in DuPage and Will Counties, while bolstering its commercial banking relationships and wealth management capabilities.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, M&M’s stockholders will have the right to elect to receive either $117.74 in cash, 5.7294 shares of Busey common stock, or mixed consideration of $34.55 in cash and 4.0481 shares of Busey common stock. Shareholder elections are subject to proration such that total consideration consists of approximately 71 percent Busey common stock and 29 percent cash, as further defined in the merger agreement. Based upon Busey’s 20-day volume-weighted average closing price as of Nov. 24, 2023, the aggregate implied transaction value is approximately $41.6 million. The transaction is expected to close in second quarter 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and required approvals, including the approval of M&M’s stockholders of the transaction.
It is anticipated M&M Bank will be merged with and into Busey Bank at a date following the completion of the merger. At the time of the bank merger, M&M Bank banking centers will become branches of Busey Bank. The combined pro forma franchise will serve customers through more than 60 full-service locations, including 21 in Central Illinois markets, 18 in suburban Chicago markets, 20 in the St. Louis metropolitan area, one in Indianapolis and three in Southwest Florida. The pro forma organization will have combined assets of $12.7 billion, $8.3 billion in gross loans, $10.7 billion in deposits and over $11.5 billion in wealth assets under care.
M&M Bank was founded in 1969 as a locally owned bank valuing its roles and responsibilities as a community bank, bringing a focused expertise in business banking. M&M Bank currently employs over 50 associates and has five locations in DuPage and Will Counties, including three in Joliet, one in Channahon and one in Oakbrook Terrace. M&M continues to be dedicated to its founding principles by being actively involved in the communities it serves and providing unparalleled service delivered by experienced local professionals.
Busey Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Van A. Dukeman said, “Being a strong, local bank for the communities we serve is important to both Busey and M&M, and thanks to outstanding associates, we both have been successful growing our companies. With a collective, focused expertise in well-capitalized banking—built on the foundational principles of community banking—our combined franchise will pair Busey’s regionalized approach with M&M’s Life Equity Loan® products and commercial lending expertise to provide clients with personalized solutions.”
M&M Chief Executive Officer and Director Brad W. Butler said, “Busey and M&M have been active community banks for a combined 200-plus years, founded on the ideals of premier, personal service provided by outstanding, local associates. We believe Busey is the right strategic partner to continue M&M Bank’s customer- and community-focus. We are pleased our customers will continue to experience tremendous, personalized service following the merger with Busey, while benefitting from an expanded array of sophisticated commercial, consumer and wealth management services and capabilities.”
Both companies support and value an engaged and empowered workforce and are committed to building a premier, service-oriented, community banking experience. Busey has been named among American Banker’s Best Banks to Work For since 2016; voted as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois by associates since 2016; listed among 2022 and 2023’s America’s Best Banks by Forbes—in addition to various wellness, training and development, philanthropic and other workplace awards.
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP served as legal counsel to Busey. ArentFox Schiff LLP served as legal counsel and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a Stifel Company served as financial advisor to M&M.
As of Sept. 30, First Busey Corporation was a $12.26 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank, a wholly owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation, had total assets of $12.23 billion as of September 30, 2023, and is headquartered in Champaign, IL.