ATLANTA – Troutman Pepper Locke represented TAG Bancshares, Inc. (TAG), holding company for Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc., in its acquisition by CBS Banc-Corp. (CBS), holding company for CB&S Bank, Inc. The transaction closed on March 31.
Regulators Rarely Give Credit Unions Full-Weighting in Bank M&A Reviews
James Stevens, partner and co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Financial Services Industry Group, was quoted in a recent S&P Global Market Intelligence article by Zoe Sagalow and Lauren Seay, “Regulators Rarely Give Credit Unions Full-Weighting in Bank M&A Reviews.” The article examines how federal bank regulators treat credit unions in competitive analyses for bank mergers, including when and how those institutions are counted as “significant competitors” and how their deposits are weighted relative to banks and thrifts.
Troutman Pepper Locke Advises Clients in Three Recent Bank M&A Transactions
Troutman Pepper Locke’s Financial Services Group represented clients in three separate transactions in the last month. Leveraging our nationwide team, we advised clients Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. (Burke & Herbert), TAG Bancshares, Inc. (TAG), and DMMS Purchaser, Inc.
PLI’s Banking Law Institute 2025
Monday, November 10, 2025
James Stevens, partner and co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Financial Services Industry Group, will present “Bank Partnerships and Banking‑as‑a‑Service: New Pressure and New Opportunities” at Practising Law Institute’s Banking Law Institute 2025 on Monday, November 10, 2025. This daylong advanced-level CLE program will cover recent developments impacting the
Troutman Pepper Locke Financial Services Attorneys Designated as “Lawyer of the Year”
Troutman Pepper Locke is pleased to announce that four of its financial services attorneys were recognized under the special designation of “Lawyer of the Year” in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, an honor earned by just one lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan area.
Troutman Pepper Locke Counsels Old Point Financial Corporation in Merger with TowneBank
Troutman Pepper Locke client Old Point Financial Corporation, the parent company of The Old Point National Bank of Phoebus (OPNB), and Hampton Roads-based TowneBank recently entered a definitive agreement to merge. Under this agreement, TowneBank will acquire Old Point Financial Corporation, OPNB, and Old Point Trust & Financial Services (Old Point Wealth). For more information
Co-Leader of Troutman Pepper’s Financial Services Industry Group Quoted in Article About Old National’s Share Price Gain
James Stevens, co-leader of Troutman Pepper’s Financial Services Industry Group, was quoted in the December 5, 2024 S&P Global article, “Old National books rare share price gain after announcing large bank deal.”
FDIC and OCC Finalize New Guidelines on Bank Mergers
Today, both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) finalized new guidelines regarding bank mergers. According to the agencies, these updates aim to enhance transparency and provide clearer guidance on the evaluation of merger applications under the Bank Merger Act (BMA).
Troutman Pepper Advises CBB Bancorp in Merger with Southern States Bancshares, Inc.
Troutman Pepper client CBB Bancorp, the holding company for Century Bank of Georgia, completed its sale to Southern States Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Southern States Bank on July 31, 2024. CBB Bancorp merged with and into Southern States and Century Bank merged with and into Southern States Bank, with Southern States and Southern States Bank surviving. Troutman Pepper partners James Stevens, Constance Brewster, Emily Schifter, and Morgan Klinzing, and associates Caitlin Oh, William Mayo, Sarah Hanna, Peter Dragna, and Regina Tisdale advised CBB Bancorp in the transaction.
Georgia Bankers Association 2024 Annual Meeting
Troutman Pepper partner James Stevens spoke at the annual Georgia Bankers Association meeting alongside Jonathan Hightower, a partner at Fenimore Kay Harrison. Their discussion focused on how, after a challenging year in 2023, many banks are seeking opportunities to regain forward momentum. During the session, James and Jonathan explored various growth opportunities for banks, including the resurgence of community bank mergers and acquisitions, strategies for nontraditional deposit growth, compensation and retention tactics, and leadership succession planning. Additionally, they addressed ways to mitigate emerging risks amidst heightened expectations from regulators and other stakeholders.