MOOREFIELD, W. Va. and BLUEFIELD, W. Va., June 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summit Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMF) and First Century Bankshares, Inc. (OTC Pink:FCBS) announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement between Summit and First Century.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Summit will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of First Century in exchange for cash in the amount of $22.50 per share or 1.2433 shares of Summit common stock. First Century shareholders will have a right to receive cash, Summit’s common stock or a combination of cash and Summit common stock, subject to proration to result in approximately 35% cash and 65% stock consideration in the aggregate. Total merger consideration received by First Century shareholders is subject to an adjustment if First Century’s adjusted shareholders’ equity as of the effective date of the merger deviates materially from the target mutually determined by the parties.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by each company’s board of directors and is expected to close late in the fourth quarter of 2016, pending regulatory approvals and the approval of First Century’s shareholders. Following the consummation of the merger, First Century’s wholly-owned subsidiary First Century Bank, Inc. will be consolidated with Summit’s bank subsidiary, Summit Community Bank, Inc.
The aggregate consideration in the transaction is approximately $42.8 million, or an implied deal value per share of $22.50 per share, based on First Century’s common shares outstanding of 1,903,120 and using a trailing three-day average of Summit’s closing stock price through May 25, 2016 of $18.10 per share.
“This transaction represents an exceptional opportunity for Summit to combine with a financially strong and exceptionally well-managed bank possessing a culture and core values similar to ours, as well as the same commitment to build long-term client relationships by providing service beyond expectations,” stated Summit’s President and Chief Executive Officer, H. Charles Maddy, III. “Partnering with First Century not only expands Summit’s community banking footprint into southwest West Virginia and southwestern Virginia, it also notably will provide us the opportunity to offer trust services throughout our Bank’s market area, a capability which we currently do not possess. Our top priority now is to ensure First Century’s clients experience a smooth transition.”
First Century’s President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Wilkinson said, “We are extremely pleased to be able to partner with Summit, a company who shares the same long-standing commitment to community banking as First Century has held for almost 125 years. Our Board of Directors has been through an extensive process to help determine the best opportunities for our shareholders, customers and employees and we believe Summit is the right partner as we move forward. In addition to enhanced technology and other banking services that will improve our product offering to our customers, Summit also brings a strong currency to enhance value for our shareholders. Also by partnering with Summit, our customers will still be able to see familiar faces and know that we will maintain the relationships that have been built over the years. This will include local decision making and expanded lending limits to grow valued relationships into the future.”
First Century was advised by the investment banking firm of Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. and the law firm of Bowles Rice LLP. Summit was represented by the law firm of Hunton & Williams LLP.
About Summit
Summit is a $1.51 billion financial holding company headquartered in Moorefield, West Virginia. Summit provides community banking services primarily in the Eastern Panhandle and South Central regions of West Virginia and the Northern and Shenandoah Valley regions of Virginia, through its bank subsidiary, Summit Community Bank, Inc., which operates fifteen banking locations. Summit also operates Summit Insurance Services, LLC in Moorefield, West Virginia and Leesburg, Virginia.
About First Century
First Century, a bank holding company headquartered in Bluefield, West Virginia, reported approximately $410 million in assets as of March 31, 2016 and operates twelve community banking offices in southwest West Virginia and southwestern Virginia through its subsidiary, First Century Bank, Inc.
