RICHMOND, Va., May 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Union Bankshares Corporation (NASDAQ:UBSH) or ("Union") and Xenith Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:XBKS) or ("Xenith") jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Union to acquire Xenith in an all-stock transaction. Combining the two organizations will create the preeminent community banking franchise in Virginia and expand Union's retail footprint into North Carolina and Maryland.
Based on financial data as of March 31, 2017, the combined company would have total assets of $11.9 billion, total deposits of $9.2 billion and gross loans of $8.9 billion. This transaction strengthens Union's presence in Virginia's second most populous market, Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach, and adds to its Richmond and Northern Virginia footprints. After systems integration, on a pro forma basis, Union will have the fourth largest branch network in Virginia and will remain the only community bank with a statewide footprint across the Commonwealth.
"We are excited about the opportunity to bring our companies together to enhance our product and customer service capabilities," said Raymond D. Smoot, Jr., Chairman of Union Bankshares Corporation's Board of Directors. "We believe that our two companies are stronger together and the combination gives Union a unique franchise to create long term shareholder value."
"We expect that our combined statewide footprint will bring additional convenience to our customers and position us as a strong competitor against large regional institutions and smaller community banks alike – making us the preeminent community bank in Virginia," said John C. Asbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union. "The combination with Xenith delivers on our stated priorities for this year as well as our acquisition goals enabling Union to efficiently cross the $10 billion asset threshold. Xenith brings extensive commercial and industrial lending expertise as they were built as a C&I platform focusing on Richmond and Northern Virginia and subsequently added an extensive branch network through the combination with the Bank of Hampton Roads. Deepening our presence in Hampton Roads and adding to our Richmond and Northern Virginia network were priorities for Union and we're also able to gain retail entry points in North Carolina and Maryland. With a more diverse loan portfolio, lower loan to deposit ratio and efficiencies gained, I believe the combined franchise will be able to generate sustainable top-tier financial performance for our shareholders."
"This transaction delivers on Xenith's original vision to be an integral part of creating the preeminent commercial bank headquartered in the Commonwealth of Virginia," said T. Gaylon Layfield, III, Chief Executive Officer for Xenith. "With a statewide presence, strong pro forma capital ratios, enhanced retail delivery system and focused commercial banking capabilities, the combined company will be positioned to deliver value to our customers. Both banks are committed to attracting the best talent available and building a culture that encourages and enables that talent to better serve our customers and to be effective in setting the combined company apart from the competition. I look forward to working with our new teammates to deliver on this exciting vision."
In consideration of the merger, extensive due diligence was performed by both companies over a six-week period. The merger agreement has been approved by the board of directors of each company. The companies expect to complete the transaction in early January 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. is acting as the financial advisor to Union and Troutman Sanders LLP is acting as its legal advisor in the transaction. Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. is acting as financial advisor to Xenith and Hunton & Williams LLP is acting as its legal advisor in the transaction.
Media Availability
Senior leadership of Union will be available to members of the news media from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time today, May 22, 2017, at Union's headquarters at Three James Center, 1051 East Cary Street, Suite 1200, in Richmond, Virginia.
Additional information on the Company is available at http://investors.bankatunion.com.
Additional information about Xenith and its subsidiaries can be found at www.xenithbank.com.
Contacts: Bill Cimino (804) 448-0937, VP and Director of Corporate Communications of Union. Thomas W. Osgood (804) 433-2209, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Xenith
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