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SouthState Corporation (NYSE:SSB), a prominent financial institution with a market capitalization of $8.26 billion, has announced the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for its upcoming mergers with Independent Bank Group (NASDAQ:IBTX), Inc. This development follows the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's approval of the merger applications on Friday, December 13, 2024.
The bank's strong financial position is reflected in its 51% price return over the past six months, and according to InvestingPro analysis, the stock currently appears undervalued based on its Fair Value assessment.
The approvals greenlight both the holding company merger and the bank merger, which involves SouthState Bank, National Association, and Independent Bank (NASDAQ:INDB), operating as Independent (LON:IOG) Financial. These mergers are part of an agreement dated May 17, 2024, signaling a significant consolidation in the banking sector.
While all regulatory conditions have been met, the completion of the mergers is subject to customary closing conditions. If these are satisfied, the finalization of the mergers is expected to occur on or about January 1, 2025.
The merger process, which has been carefully scrutinized by both entities and regulatory bodies, aims to combine the strengths of SouthState and Independent, potentially creating a more robust financial entity positioned for future growth and competitiveness. SouthState brings a strong dividend track record to the merger, having raised dividends for 13 consecutive years, as noted by InvestingPro, which offers comprehensive analysis and additional insights through its detailed Pro Research Report, available for over 1,400 US stocks.
SouthState Corporation's announcement is based on a press release statement and reflects the latest step in the merger process, which is closely followed by the financial community for its potential impact on the market and customers of both banking institutions.
In other recent news, South State (NYSE:SSB) Corporation reported a strong financial performance, with operating earnings per share (EPS) of $1.90, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.65. The company's core pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) of $183.4 million also exceeded the consensus forecast of $181.4 million. Stephens, a financial services firm, raised its price target for South State Corporation shares to $105.00, citing these earnings results.
Simultaneously, the company's merger with Independent Financial, expected to complete by summer 2025, was noted as a significant development that will improve South State's balance sheet's liability sensitivity. Truist Securities adjusted its price target for South State Corporation shares to $103 from the previous $111, while retaining a Hold rating. The firm revised its Core EPS estimates for 2024, 2025, and 2026 upwards, citing increased fees, decreased provisioning for credit losses, and reduced expenses.
Piper Sandler also adjusted its stance on South State, raising its price target from $110 to $112. The firm cited effective expense management and the potential for further loan loss reserve releases as reasons for the adjustment.
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