Peoples Financial Services Corp. and FNCB Bancorp, Inc. Complete Merger

Rhea-AI Summary

Peoples Financial Services Corp. (Nasdaq: PFIS) announced the completion of its merger with FNCB Bancorp on July 1, 2024. The merger unites FNCB Bank with Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, forming a $5.6 billion community bank operating in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Craig Best, CEO of Peoples, emphasized the merger's benefits for customers, employees, and shareholders. The combined entity will manage $5.5 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, and $4.7 billion in deposits. The merged company will continue under the Peoples banner and trade on Nasdaq under the PFIS ticker symbol.

Positive

• Completion of merger forming a $5.6 billion community bank.
• Expected assets of approximately $5.5 billion.
• Loans totaling approximately $4.0 billion.
• Deposits amounting to $4.7 billion.
• Expansion into Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

The merger between Peoples Financial Services Corp. and FNCB Bancorp, Inc. is a notable event in the banking sector, particularly for retail investors. This merger creates a significant $5.6 billion community bank, which will enhance Peoples' market presence in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Financially, this merger consolidates assets, loans and deposits, positioning Peoples for greater long-term growth. With $5.5 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans and $4.7 billion in deposits, the combined entity is now substantially stronger. This could lead to improved operational efficiencies and potential cost reductions, essential for driving profitability.

Retail investors should be aware that while mergers often aim at growth and efficiency, they also come with short-term integration costs and potential disruptions. However, the merger could lead to enhanced shareholder value if the integration is executed well and synergies are realized efficiently. Notably, trading under the ticker PFIS on Nasdaq could improve investor sentiment and liquidity.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, this merger significantly impacts the competitive landscape in community banking in the Northeastern United States. The expanded scale and geographic reach could offer Peoples a competitive edge in terms of product offerings and customer service. This could attract new customers while retaining existing ones through a broader range of banking services.

Community banks often thrive on personal relationships and localized knowledge, so merging two well-established institutions with deep community ties could enhance Peoples' market penetration. The familiar faces of the combined team can provide continuity for customers, which is important in community banking.

However, it is important for investors to monitor the integration process closely. Customer retention and satisfaction are critical metrics; any disruption could negatively impact the combined entity's reputation and financial performance in the short term.

SCRANTON, Pa. and DUNMORE, Pa., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Peoples Financial Services Corp. ("Peoples") (Nasdaq: PFIS) today announced the completion of the merger of FNCB Bancorp, Inc. ("FNCB") with and into Peoples, and the merger of FNCB Bank with and into Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company ("Peoples Bank"), effective July 1, 2024.

"The completion of this merger unites two dynamic institutions to create a leading, $5.6 billion community bank with operations in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey," said Craig Best, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Peoples and Peoples Bank. "The combination of Peoples and FNCB will benefit our customers and the communities we serve, create new opportunities for our employees and drive long-term growth and shareholder value."

"FNCB Bank's merger with Peoples Bank marks a significant milestone in our journey," said Jerry Champi, President of Peoples and Peoples Bank. "This union brings together two institutions with deep roots in community banking. Our customers will benefit from expanded products and services delivered by the familiar faces they have come to know and trust. Together, we will provide an even better banking experience for everyone."

The combined organization is expected to have approximately $5.5 billion in assets with approximately $4.0 billion in loans and $4.7 billion in deposits throughout its operations spanning Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. All branches of the combined company will operate under the Peoples banner after the integration is completed. The combined company will trade under Peoples ticker symbol (PFIS) on the Nasdaq Global Select Stock Market.

About Peoples Financial Services Corp.

Peoples Financial Services Corp. is the bank holding company of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, an independent community bank serving its retail and commercial customers through 44 full-service community banking offices located within the Allegheny, Bucks, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties in Pennsylvania, Middlesex County in New Jersey and Broome County in New York. Each office, interdependent with the community, offers a comprehensive array of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government entities. People's business philosophy includes offering direct access to senior management and other officers and providing friendly, informed and courteous service, local and timely. For more information, visit www.psbt.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the beliefs, goals, intentions, and expectations of Peoples regarding the FNCB merger; and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward–looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "will," "should," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time.

Additionally, forward–looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; Peoples does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update such forward–looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Furthermore, because forward–looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those indicated in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Peoples. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of Peoples and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of the control of Peoples. Caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the FNCB merger will not be realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of FNCB, or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Peoples conducts business; the possibility that the FNCB merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that Peoples may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the FNCB merger within the expected timeframes or at all and to successfully integrate the operations of Peoples; such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the FNCB merger may be lower than expected; Peoples' success in executing its business plans and strategies and managing the risks involved in the foregoing; the dilution caused by Peoples' issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the FNCB merger; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Peoples; the ability of Peoples to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the FNCB merger; the risk that any announcements relating to the FNCB merger could have adverse effects on the market price of Peoples' common stock; effects of the completion of the FNCB merger on the ability of Peoples to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its suppliers, and on its operating results and businesses generally; and risks related to the potential impact of general economic, political and market factors on Peoples; and the other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10–K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of other reports Peoples may file with the SEC from time to time.

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SOURCE Peoples Financial Services Corp.

FAQ

What is the significance of the merger between Peoples Financial Services and FNCB Bancorp?

The merger creates a leading, $5.6 billion community bank operating in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, enhancing customer services and shareholder value.

When was the merger between Peoples Financial Services and FNCB Bancorp completed?

The merger was completed on July 1, 2024.

What are the financial metrics of the combined entity after the merger?

The combined company will have approximately $5.5 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, and $4.7 billion in deposits.

Under what ticker symbol will the newly merged company trade on Nasdaq?

The newly merged company will continue to trade under the ticker symbol PFIS on the Nasdaq Global Select Stock Market.

How will the merger impact the branches of FNCB Bank and Peoples Bank?

All branches of the combined company will operate under the Peoples banner once integration is completed.