Bank merger and acquisition activity in Florida has been booming of late, reports American Banker, a national publication serving the banking and financial services community.
There were 13 bank M&A deals in the state in 2013, and even more are expected in 2014, writes Jackie Stewart in the article “Florida likely to experience more M&A in 2014” for American Banker’s January 3, 2014 issue.
Industry observers are quoted in the article as saying that the Florida marketplace and infrastructure is thriving and strong.
Add to that foreign investment interest in the region and continued regulatory pressure on banks, and it’s no wonder buying/selling in the industry is on the rise.
The Florida-based Gunster law firm handled three of the eight largest bank deals (by deal value) in Florida in 2013 listed in the American Banker article. Those acquisitions were on behalf of Gunster clients Stonegate Bank, 1st United Bancorp, and HCBF Holding Company.
While national bank M&A deals are expected to be similar to what they were last year, Stewart writes in the piece, for Florida (especially South Florida), the story is a different one, with increased activity forecast.
Read the article online: Florida likely to experience more M&A in 2014 (American Banker, 1/2/14 – subscription required)
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