Renasant to acquire The First Bancshares in all-stock deal valued at about $1.2B

Renasant Corporation (RNST) and The First Bancshares, Inc. (FBMS) jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger, pursuant to which The First will merge with and into Renasant in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.2B, based on Renasant’s closing stock price as of July 26, 2024. The Merger has been approved unanimously by each company’s board of directors and is expected to close in the first half of 2025. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the approval of Renasant and The First shareholders. Headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, The First operates 111 branches across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. As of June 30, 2024, The First had approximately $8.0 billion in total assets, $5.3 billion in total loans and $6.6 billion in total deposits. The Merger will create a six-state Southeastern banking franchise with approximately $25 billion in total assets, $18 billion in total loans and $21 billion in total deposits, based on financial data as of June 30, 2024. “As two of the largest banks headquartered in Mississippi, each with a footprint across the Southeast, both Renasant and The First have grown to know and respect each other’s operating philosophy, dedication to providing best-in-class customer service and commitment to the communities in which we operate,” said Renasant CEO, Mitch Waycaster. “As with Renasant, The First has expanded into some of the most dynamic, fastest growing markets in the Southeast. Together, we create a more valuable company with the meaningful scale needed to compete in today’s operating environment.” According to the terms of the merger agreement, shareholders of The First will receive 1.00 share of Renasant common stock for each share of The First common stock. Additionally, all options of The First will be cashed out at their in-the-money value at closing. Based on Renasant’s closing stock price of $37.09 per share as of July 26, 2024, the implied transaction value is approximately $37.09 per The First share, or $1.2 billion, in the aggregate. Excluding one-time transaction costs, the merger is expected to be immediately accretive to Renasant’s estimated earnings per share and to have a positive long-term impact on Renasant’s key profitability and operating ratios.