First Citizens to buy Southern Heritage bank in $32 million deal

Monday, March 24, 2014

photo J. Lee Stewart

The parent company of First Citizens National Bank in Dyersburg, Tenn., Tennessee's 7th biggest bank with assets of nearly $1.2 billion, is acquiring Southern Heritage Bank in Cleveland, Tenn., for $32.2 million in stock and cash.

Under the merger agreement announced today, Southern Heritage will retain its name and bank president J. Lee Stewart will continue to oversee the Cleveland bank under the ownership of First Citizens Bancshares.

"We are incredibly exited about this partnership, which introduces First Citizens to the vibrant community of Cleveland and significantly expands our presence throughout Tennessee," said Jeff Agee, president of CEO of First Citizens Bank. "We have long admired the banking culture of Southern Heritage, which is extraordinarily similar to our own."

The transaction, which officials hope to close in the third quarter after regulatory review and a vote by shareholders of Southern Heritage, is valued at $24.50 per share of Southern Heritage common stock. Southern Heritage shareholders may opt to either receive shares in First Citizens or cash for their holdings.

Founded in 1999, Southern Heritage has assets of $237 million and operates three full-service banks in Bradley County. First Citizens was founded in 1889 and has $1.2 billion in assets at 21 branches in west and middle Tennessee.

Stewart said the merger with First Citizens "is significantly different from any that has occurred in our market area in the past." The Cleveland bank will retain its identity and the merger will allow Southern Heritage to join "a larger, high-performing, statewide, banking company with a remarkably similar culture and customer focus," Stewart said.