Somerset Savings Bank, SLA announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a plan of conversion to convert from the mutual to stock form of organization. SR Bancorp, Inc., a newly formed Maryland corporation (“SR Bancorp” or the “Company”), has been organized to facilitate the conversion and offer shares of common stock to certain depositors of Somerset Savings and others in a subscription and community offering. The number and price of the shares to be issued in the conversion offering will be based on an independent appraisal that has yet to be performed. In addition, and to further support the communities in which Somerset Savings operates, it is intended that a charitable foundation will be established and funded with conversion stock and cash as part of the transaction.
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In connection with the conversion, the Boards of Directors of Somerset Savings and SR Bancorp entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Regal Bancorp, Inc. (“Regal Bancorp”) and its subsidiary Regal Bank. In the merger, Regal Bancorp will merge with and into SR Bancorp, with SR Bancorp as the surviving entity, and Regal Bank will merge with and into Somerset Savings, with Somerset Savings as the surviving institution under the name Somerset Regal Bank. In connection with the conversion and merger, Somerset Savings also intends to convert to a New Jersey chartered commercial bank.
The plan of conversion establishes June 30, 2021 as the eligibility record date for determining the eligible account holders of Somerset Savings entitled to receive nontransferable subscription rights to purchase common stock. The transactions contemplated by the plan are subject to approval by (1) the voting members of Somerset Savings at a Special Meeting of Members; (ii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and (iii) the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “Department”). The formation of the holding company as the parent company of Somerset Savings is subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Department, if required.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Regal Bancorp shareholders may elect to receive 1.93 shares of SR Bancorp, Inc. common stock (based on a $10.00 per share offering price) or $19.30 in cash for each share of Regal Bancorp common stock, subject to the allocation and proration procedures set forth in the merger agreement, which require that 80% of the merger consideration be Company common stock and 20% of the merger consideration be cash. If SR Bancorp issues a number of shares of its common stock in its conversion stock offering that is above the midpoint of the offering range established in the independent appraisal, then the aggregate stock portion of the merger consideration will be increased to 90%. The aggregate transaction value of the merger is approximately $58.4 million.
The merger agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of the Company, Somerset Savings, Regal Bancorp and Regal Bank. The merger is subject to the approval of the shareholders of Regal Bancorp and the completion of the Company’s conversion and stock offering. In addition, the conversion is subject to the approval of the members of Somerset Savings. The transactions are also subject to the approval of bank regulatory authorities, as well as other customary conditions. The conversion, offering and merger are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023 and will be consummated simultaneously.
In announcing the transaction, William P. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Somerset Savings said: “The simultaneous conversion and merger with Regal Bancorp, and our conversion to a commercial bank charter, marks a pivotal point in the history of Somerset Savings. This transaction not only combines two well-respected community banking organizations creating a combined franchise with complimentary business lines and over $1 billion in total assets, but also provides our depositors the ability to benefit as shareholders in the combined organization and allows our customers to benefit from the commercial lending expertise the Regal team brings to the combined company. Finally, the additional capital we raise in the offering will help support future growth as we continue our development as a full-service community bank.”
Christopher Pribula, the President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Somerset Savings, stated: “We look forward to partnering with the Regal team and providing a wide range of products and services to our combined customer base at the same level of quality customer service that has been a hallmark of both Somerset Savings Bank and Regal Bank.”
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The Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Regal Bancorp, David M. Orbach, and two other Regal Bancorp board members will join the board of directors of SR Bancorp and Somerset Regal Bank upon completion of the merger transaction. Mr. Orbach will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of SR Bancorp and as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Somerset Regal Bank. Mr. Taylor will continue as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Somerset Regal Bank and will serve as Chief Executive Officer and a director of SR Bancorp. Christopher Pribula will continue as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Somerset Regal Bank and SR Bancorp.
Commenting on the transaction, David Orbach stated, ” Regal shares a like-minded philosophy with the executives of Somerset in their management style and adherence to sound principles. We are very excited to be partnering with an outstanding community bank that has a long history of providing quality financial products and services to the communities and markets it serves. I look forward to working together on the future growth and success of the combined institution.”
Thomas Lupo, President and CEO of Regal, stated: “The merger represents a great opportunity for our shareholders, customers and employees. It will benefit the customers of both institutions, allowing us to offer our commercial lending products and knowledge to Somerset customers, while Regal customers will benefit from Somerset’s residential lending products and experience.”
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