Will create West Coast’s largest community bank with 394 locations in five states.
Sterling shareholders to receive a fixed exchange ratio combination of 1.671 shares of Umpqua stock and $2.18 in cash per Sterling share Umpqua Holdings Corporation (UMPQ) and Sterling Financial Corporation (STSA) announced September 11, that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Sterling will merge with and into Umpqua. The transaction will have a total value of approximately $2.0 billion.
The merger will result in the West Coast’s largest community bank with expanded geographic reach. The combined organization will have approximately $22 billion in assets, $15 billion in loans and $16 billion in deposits, with 5,000 associates and 394 stores across five states – Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Nevada. Umpqua and Sterling have also agreed to establish and fund a $10 million community foundation, underscoring their mutual commitment to serving their communities.
Upon completion of the merger, the company will operate under the Umpqua Bank name and brand. It will continue to deliver the high-touch level of service that Umpqua and Sterling customers expect, with an expanded branch and ATM network and a broad range of products and expertise in retail, small business, private and corporate banking; asset and wealth management; and securities brokerage.
Umpqua Holdings Corporation will continue to be led by Ray Davis as president and CEO. Sterling president and CEO Greg Seibly will join Umpqua Bank as co-president, with Umpqua Bank co-president Cort O’Haver serving in the same capacity.
“Together, Umpqua and Sterling will create something unique in the financial services industry, an organization that offers the products and expertise of a large bank but delivers them with the personal service and commitment of a community bank,” said Ray Davis. “With our size, shared cultures and financial strength, our combined organization will be uniquely positioned to deliver value for our associates, customers, communities and shareholders. We look forward to starting the process of bringing our companies together.”
“Sterling has emerged from its 2010 recapitalization a stronger, more profitable bank,” said Greg Seibly, president and CEO of Sterling Financial Corporation. “Over the past 10 quarters we have consistently demonstrated a trend of improved profitability because of our employees’ unwavering commitment to their customers and their communities. We admire Umpqua’s shared commitment to community banking and look forward to working with them to create one of the strongest, most innovative community banks in the country.”
The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. Upon completion, the combined company’s board will have 13 directors, comprised of nine representatives from Umpqua and four representatives from Sterling. Peggy Fowler will continue as board chair.
Funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”) and Warburg Pincus (“WP”), the two largest shareholders of Sterling, each owning approximately 20.8 percent of Sterling’s outstanding common stock, have agreed to vote in favor of and fully support the transaction, and THL and WP have the right to designate a representative of each firm to serve on the board of directors of the combined company following closing.
David Coulter, WP’s Vice Chairman, said, “We have been very pleased with what Sterling has achieved since we made our investment in 2010, and are delighted with the decision to combine with Umpqua. Umpqua has a long record of achievement and creating shareholder value, and together with Sterling will create what we believe will be the leading community bank in the West.”
Josh Bresler, Managing Director at THL, said, “The great potential that initially attracted us to making a significant investment in Sterling three years ago has been realized through the successful efforts of Greg Seibly and the entire Sterling team, and the merger with Umpqua is the logical next step for Sterling. The merger pairs two companies with exceptional management teams and franchises, and we believe it will create substantial value for us and all of the shareholders of both companies.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Sterling shareholders will receive 1.671 shares of Umpqua common stock and $2.18 cash for each share of Sterling common stock. The total value of the Sterling merger consideration, based on the closing price of Umpqua shares on September 11, 2013 of $16.96, is $30.52.
