First National Corporation Completes Acquisition of Touchstone Bankshares, Inc.

Rhea-AI Summary

First National (NASDAQ: FXNC) has completed the acquisition of Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. effective October 1, 2024. The merger terms include a 0.8122 share exchange ratio for Touchstone's common and preferred stock. Former Touchstone Bank branches will operate as divisions of First Bank until system integration in February 2025. The combined entity would have approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans, and $1.8 billion in deposits on a pro-forma basis as of August 30, 2024. The merged company will serve customers through 33 branch offices in Virginia and North Carolina, 3 loan production offices, and online banking services. First National's CEO, Scott Harvard, emphasized the merger's potential to enhance resources for small businesses and positively impact communities. The combined market capitalization is expected to position the company near the Russell 2000 index.

Positive

• Acquisition increases First National's assets to approximately $2.1 billion
• Expanded market presence with 33 branch offices across Virginia and North Carolina
• Potential inclusion in the Russell 2000 index due to increased market capitalization
• Enhanced resources for small business customers across all markets

Negative

• Potential integration challenges during the transition period until February 2025
• Possible short-term costs associated with the merger and system integration

Insights

Financial Analyst

The acquisition of Touchstone Bankshares by First National marks a significant expansion for FXNC, substantially increasing its market presence and financial capacity. The merger results in a combined entity with approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans and $1.8 billion in deposits on a pro-forma basis. This represents a substantial leap in scale for First National, potentially enhancing its competitive position in the regional banking sector.

The expanded footprint, now encompassing 33 branch offices across Virginia and North Carolina, along with 3 loan production offices, should provide increased market penetration and cross-selling opportunities. The retention of the Touchstone brand as a division of First Bank until systems integration is completed in February 2025 suggests a thoughtful approach to customer retention and smooth transition.

Investors should note the potential for the combined company to approach inclusion in the Russell 2000 index, which could increase visibility and liquidity for the stock. However, the success of this merger will ultimately depend on effective integration and realization of synergies, which will be important to monitor in the coming quarters.

Market Research Analyst

This merger significantly alters the competitive landscape in Virginia and North Carolina's banking sector. The combined entity's increased scale ($2.1 billion in assets) positions it more favorably against larger regional competitors and potentially improves its ability to compete for larger commercial relationships.

The expansion of branch networks and loan production offices suggests a strategy focused on both retail and commercial banking growth. This diversification could help mitigate risks associated with any single market segment. The decision to maintain the Touchstone brand temporarily indicates a focus on customer retention, which is important in the immediate post-merger period.

Long-term, the success of this merger will depend on several factors:

• Cost synergies realization
• Revenue enhancement through cross-selling
• Integration of corporate cultures
• Retention of key personnel and customers

Investors should watch for updates on these aspects in future earnings calls and reports to gauge the merger's success and its impact on FXNC's financial performance and market position.

STRASBURG, Va., Oct. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First National Corporation (NASDAQ: FXNC) (the “Company” or “First National”), the one-bank holding company of First Bank, announced today that it has completed the acquisition by merger of Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. (“Touchstone”) effective October 1, 2024 (the “Merger”). Immediately following the Merger, Touchstone Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Touchstone Bankshares, Inc., was merged with and into First Bank. Pursuant to the previously announced terms of the Merger, each outstanding share of Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. common stock and preferred stock (on an as-converted, one-for-one basis, which shares of preferred stock converted automatically to common stock at the effective time of the Merger) is entitled to receive 0.8122 shares of First National Corporation’s common stock.

Following the Merger, the former branches of Touchstone Bank assumed in the Merger will continue to operate in Virginia as Touchstone Bank, a division of First Bank, and, in North Carolina, as Touchstone Bank, a division of First Bank, Strasburg, Virginia, until the systems integration is completed in February 2025. With the addition of Touchstone, the Company would have had approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans and $1.8 billion in deposits on a combined pro-forma basis as of August 30, 2024. The combined company will deliver banking services through 33 branch offices in Virginia and North Carolina and 3 loan production offices, in addition to its full complement of online banking services.

“We are pleased to announce the completion of the merger with Touchstone Bankshares, Inc. and excited to be joining forces with a team of dedicated local bankers committed to their customers and communities,” stated Scott Harvard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Harvard continued, “We believe that our combined companies will provide significantly more resources to small business customers across all of our markets while positively impacting the communities we serve. For our investors, the combined market capitalization is expected to put the company on the cusp of the Russell 2000 index."

ABOUT FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION

First National Corporation (NASDAQ: FXNC) is the parent company and bank holding company of First Bank (the “Bank”), a community bank that first opened for business in 1907 in Strasburg, Virginia. The Bank offers loan and deposit products and services through its website, www.fbvirginia.com, its mobile banking platform, a network of ATMs located throughout its market area, 3 loan production offices, a customer service center in a retirement community, and 33 bank branch office locations located throughout the Shenandoah Valley, the Roanoke Valley, the central and south-central regions of Virginia, the city of Richmond, and in northern North Carolina. In addition to providing traditional banking services, the Bank operates a wealth management division under the name First Bank Wealth Management. The Bank also owns First Bank Financial Services, Inc., which owns an interest in an entity that provides title insurance services. 

CAUTION ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information contained in this discussion may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to First National’s and Touchstone’s respective plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, and other statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” and “projects,” as well as similar expression. Although each party believes that its expectations with respect to the forward-looking statements are based upon reliable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance, or achievements will not differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For details on factors that could affect expectations, future events, or results, see the risk factors and other cautionary language included in First National’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Additional risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the Merger may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized, including due to the state of the economy or other competitive factors in the areas in which the parties operate, (2) disruption from the Merger of customer, supplier, employee or other business partner relationships, including diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities due to the Merger, (3) the possibility that the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Merger may be greater than anticipated, (4) reputational risk and the reaction of each of the parties’ customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the Merger, (5) the risks relating to the integration of Touchstone’s operations into the operations of First National, including the risk that such integration will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, (6) the risk of expansion into new geographic or product markets, (7) the dilution caused by First National’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in the Merger, and (8) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the joint proxy statement of First National and Touchstone and the prospectus of First National regarding the Merger that was filed with the SEC on July 9, 2024 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) by First National and in First National’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning First National or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. First National does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

CONTACTS

Scott C. Harvard President and CEO First National Corporation (540) 465-9121 sharvard@fbvirginia.com

M. Shane Bell Executive Vice President and CFO First National Corporation (540) 465-9121   sbell@fbvirginia.com

FAQ

What is the exchange ratio for Touchstone Bankshares stock in the FXNC acquisition?

Each share of Touchstone Bankshares common and preferred stock is entitled to receive 0.8122 shares of First National 's common stock.

When will the Touchstone Bank branches complete system integration with First Bank (FXNC)?

The system integration is expected to be completed in February 2025.

What are the pro-forma financial figures for First National (FXNC) after the Touchstone acquisition?

On a combined pro-forma basis as of August 30, 2024, the company would have approximately $2.1 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in loans, and $1.8 billion in deposits.

How many branch offices will First National (FXNC) have after acquiring Touchstone?

The combined company will have 33 branch offices in Virginia and North Carolina, along with 3 loan production offices.