Colony Bankcorp to Acquire First Reliance Bancshares for Approximately $163 Million

Valley National Bancorp to Acquire Providence Financial Corporation

August 25, 2026

Financial Services

Valley National Bancorp announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Providence Financial Corporation, parent company of Providence Bank & Trust. Under the terms, Providence shareholders will receive Valley common stock plus $21.47 in cash per share, with the transaction expected to close in early 2027 subject to approvals.

First Bancorp to Acquire First Carolina Bancshares Corporation

July 14, 2026

Financial Services

First Bancorp announced it signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire First Carolina Bancshares Corporation in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at $166 million. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary approvals and conditions.

First Financial Bancorp to Acquire BankFinancial Corporation

January 1, 2026

Financial Services

First Financial Bancorp agreed to acquire Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million. The deal is intended to expand First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market, adding 18 financial centers and BankFinancial’s consumer, trust/wealth management, and selected commercial lending capabilities.

Carrington Holding Company to Acquire Reliance First Capital

October 31, 2025

Financial Services

Carrington Holding Company has entered into an agreement to acquire Reliance First Capital, LLC from Tiptree Inc. The deal is intended to add a direct-to-consumer retail mortgage origination channel to Carrington’s existing wholesale/correspondent and retail recapture businesses.

Colony Bankcorp to Acquire TC Bancshares (TC Federal Bank)

July 23, 2025

Financial Services

Colony Bankcorp, Inc. agreed to acquire 100% of the common stock of TC Bancshares, Inc. in a combined stock-and-cash transaction valued at approximately $86.1 million. The merger is intended to create a stronger community banking franchise focused on enhanced customer service and expanded capabilities and is expected to close on or about December 1, 2025 after approvals.

First Bancorp Acquires GrandSouth Bancorporation

January 1, 2023

Financial Services

First Bancorp (parent of First Bank) completed its acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation (the parent of GrandSouth Bank) effective January 1, 2023 in an all-stock merger (0.91 shares of First Bancorp per GrandSouth share). The deal expands First Bank's presence in South Carolina by adding GrandSouth's eight branches and is expected to accelerate First Bancorp's South Carolina growth, creating a combined company with approximately $12 billion in assets and 118 branches.