The Citizens Bank Named One Of America’s Best-In-State Banks For 2019 by Forbes Magazine
July 22, 2019 3:50 pmThe Citizens Bank has been honored as one of America’s Best Banks selected from 5,400 banks in the U.S. For 2019, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to produce their second annual look at the best banks in each state to gauge whose customers gave their banks the highest grades. According to Forbes, more than 25,000 customers in the U.S. were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships.
Financial institutions were scored on overall recommendations and satisfaction based on five criteria: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice. Customers were asked 20 questions about their financial dealings with their bank.
“There’s no greater reward than being selected by your own customers as one of the best banks in the country,” said Jackie Hester, Vice President of Marketing for The Citizens Bank. “We always say we have the best bank customers, and now we know they believe we’re one of the best banks anywhere.”
The Citizens Bank was selected along with just three other banks in Mississippi. Between one and five banks in larger states were awarded best-in-state designation, based on the number of responses in each state. Overall, 149 banks qualified, or just 3.1% of the total number of U.S. financial institutions.
“It’s always our goal to provide the best services and amenities to please our customers and help them reach their financial goals,” Hester said. “We couldn’t do this without an awesome team of employees at our 23 branches across the state. We’re excited for the opportunity to continue serving our customers with Best In Class service.”
THE CITIZENS BANK CEO GREG MCKEE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE MISSISSIPPI BANKERS ASSOCIATION
July 9, 2019 3:53 pmThe employees, officers and directors at The Citizens Bank congratulate Greg McKee on being elected Chairman of the Mississippi Bankers Association for 2019-2020. Under McKee’s leadership since 2002, The Citizens Bank has grown into a great bank. Now he will lead Mississippi to becoming a great state for banking.
“We can’t think of any better leader for the MBA than our CEO Greg McKee,” said Jackie Hester, Vice President and Marketing Officer. “We are proud of his accomplishments as a leader in banking in Mississippi and look forward to follow his success in his role as Chairman of our statewide banking association.”
The Mississippi Bankers Association, established in 1889, is a private membership organization which brings together and represents banks and savings institutions in the State of Mississippi. The MBA provides education through seminars and conferences, information through various avenues such as The Mississippi Banker magazine, and representation in legislative and regulatory matters.
The Association also sponsors and/or endorses products and services for banks. The Association benefits from the strong leadership provided by Mississippi bankers serving as officers and executive committee members. The MBA has many bank employees serving on standing committees, providing a feeling of community for bankers across the state. The MBA has a long tradition of educating and involving bankers to improve their professional lives and their relationships with customers.
CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CHARTER BANK
July 8, 2019 8:12 amPHILADELPHIA, Miss. & BILOXI, Miss.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Citizens Holding Company (“Citizens”) (Nasdaq: CIZN), the parent company of The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia (“Citizens Bank”) announced today the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire Charter Bank, (“Charter”). Upon completion of the merger, Charter will merge into Citizens Bank.
Based upon financial data as of March 31, 2019, the combined company will have approximately $1.2 billion in assets, deposits of $989 million, and gross loans of $569 million. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, pending customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and the approval by the shareholders of Charter.
Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, Charter shareholders will receive 0.39417 shares of Citizens’ common stock and $3.615 in cash for each outstanding share of Charter common stock. Based on Citizens’ closing price of $20.90 as of May 20, 2019, this equates to a per share value of $11.85 and an aggregate deal value of $20.0 million.
At March 31, 2019, Charter had approximately $161 million in total assets, $134 million in deposits and $110 million in gross loans. Charter operates four branches in the counties of Harrison and Jackson, Mississippi. The combination expands Citizens’ presence in its southern markets, creating the 10th largest bank by deposits in the combined counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson, otherwise known as the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Upon completion of the merger, Gregory E. Cronin, Chief Executive Officer of Charter, will serve in a leadership position with Citizens. “Our Charter Bank Team is enthusiastic to be joining a well-respected community bank with a history of providing exceptional products and services to its markets,” remarked Cronin. “We believe that we can better serve our clients in our local communities.”
“Charter was founded by a group of individual bankers who believed their customers had a need for better banking services, and they have built their institution around the philosophy of making decisions that best serve the interests of their customers. At Citizens we share these values and are excited to be adding a similar franchise into our fold while bolstering our presence throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” commented Gregory L. McKee, President & Chief Executive Officer of Citizens.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. served as financial advisor, and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC served as legal counsel to Citizens. FIG Partners LLC served as financial advisor, and Butler Snow LLP served as legal counsel to Charter.
About Citizens Holding Company
Citizens Holding Company, headquartered in Philadelphia, Mississippi, is a financial holding company that owns The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia. Citizens currently has 23 banking locations in Mississippi and offers full-service commercial banking, mortgage lending and title insurance services in addition to a full range of Internet banking services. As of March 31, 2019, Citizens had $1.1 billion in total assets, $840 million in deposits, and $447 million in gross loans. For additional information, locations and hours of operation, please visit www.citizensholdingcompany.com.
About Charter Bank
Charter Bank, headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, was founded in 2008 and built around a relationship-based, full service business banking concept. Charter offers a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services to small and medium sized businesses, professional firms, individuals, civic groups and other organizations. As of March 31, 2019, Charter had $161 million in total assets, $134 million in deposits and $110 million in gross loans.