Financial Institutions Group

 

The Financial Institutions Group offers merger & acquisition and capital raising services. The group, led by Craig Mueller and David Stieber, specializes in serving community banks with assets primarily up to $1 billion and specialty finance companies in the upper Midwest region and other regions as relationships dictate. The Financial Institutions group is in the market every day and intimately understands buyer and seller needs.

We see a market full of possibility. The team leverages decades of vast experience, deep relationships, and intimate market knowledge. With that focus, we learn the specifics of every engagement and bring superior execution to create custom solutions for clients. We are not afraid to advise clients to walk away from transactions if not appropriate, and we find opportunities, buyers, and sellers where others could not.

Oak Ridge Financial's Financial Institutions Group is regularly ranked among the top regional financial advisors by the number M&A transactions. The team is proud to serve as a trusted advisor to community banks and to the law firms supporting those institutions.


Primary Focus and Approach

  • We primarily target community banks with assets up to $1 billion serving communities in the Upper Midwest and nationally, based on relationships
  • We bring an intimate knowledge of the community banking industry, decades of banking experience, vast industry relationships, and superior execution to every engagement
  • We specialize in providing investment banking to community banks

Services

Financial Advisory Services

Ranked among the Top Regional firms for the number of transactions in this market

  • Mergers and Acquisition representation (whole, branch or assets)
  • Strategic planning
  • Fairness opinions
  • Strategic Valuations

Capital Offerings

Specialize in private placements for non-publicly traded banks

  • Common and preferred equity
  • Senior, subordinated and convertible debt
  • Exchanges, redemptions, and refinancing advisory services
  • Subscription rights advisory and execution services

 

 Meet Our Financial Professionals


M&A Valuation Expertise

 

Wholly owned subsidiaries of Zumbrota Agency, Inc. have sold to:

  Exclusive Financial Advisor to
Zumbrota Agency, Inc.

December 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiary of McGregor Banco, Inc. has sold to:

Midcountry Acquisition Corp.

 Exclusive Financial Advisor to McGregor Banco, Inc.
December 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiary of Waseca Bancshares, Inc. has merged with:

 Wholly owned subsidiary of:

Minnwest Corporation

Exclusive Financial Advisor to
Waseca Bancshares, Inc.

November 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiary of B&E Investments, Inc. has sold to:

First National Bank and Trust Company
Wholly owned subsidiary of:

Acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor to B&E Investments, Inc.
October 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has agreed to sell its Inver Grove Heights, MN Branch to:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Deerwood Bank in this transaction
September 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiary of Waseca Bancshares, Inc. has agreed to sell to:

  Exclusive Financial Advisor to
Waseca Bancshares, Inc.

August 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiaries of Country Bankers, Inc. have agreed to sell to:

Manufacturers Bank & Trust Company        Wholly owned subsidiary of:

MBT Corp.

Issued a Fairness Opinion to    Country Bankers, Inc.
July 2021


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Bank Services, Inc. has sold to:

Security Financial Services Corporation
Holding Company for

Acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor and issued a Fairness Opinion to Wisconsin Bank Services, Inc.
November 2020


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

First American Bank

Has sold to:

Lake Shore Corporation

Exclusive Financial Advisor
to First American Bank

October 2019


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank

Has sold its Security Savings Bank Branches:

First National Bank

Exclusive Financial Advisor to
Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank

September 2019


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

First Minnesota Bank

Has sold to:

  Exclusive Financial Advisor to
First Minnesota Bank

August 2019


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Black Ridge Financial, Inc.

Holding Company for

Has sold to:

Westbrand, Inc.

Rendered a Fairness Opinion to the
Board of Directors

July 2019


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

F&M Bancorp of Tomah, Inc.

Holding Company for

Has Sold to:   

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to F&M's Board of Directors
June 2019


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Union Bancorp. of Evansville

Holding Company for

Has agreed to sell to:

S.B.C.P. Bancorp

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Union's Board of Directors
December 2018


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Venture Bancshares, Inc.

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Venture Bancshares, Inc.
September 2018


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Kirkwood Bancorp. of Nevada

Holding Company for

Has agreed to sell to:

JBNV Holding

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Kirkwood's Board of Directors
August 2018


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has sold Three Branches to:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to KleinBank
July 2018


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Park Financial, Inc.
Has Acquired:

Sourcing Agent and Advisor for Park Financial, Inc.
April 2018


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Duke Financial Group, Inc.
Has Been Acquired by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Duke Financial's Board of Directors
December 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Duke Financial Group, Inc.
Has Been Acquired by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Duke Financial's Board of Directors
December 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Sold its St. Michael, MN Branch to:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to First American Bank
October 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Peoples Bancshares, Inc.
Assets have been Acquired and Liabilities have been Assumed by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Peoples Bancshares' Board of Directors
September 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Pembina County Bankshares, Inc.

Holding Company for

Has Agreed to Merge with Drayton Bancor, Inc.:

Holding Company for   

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Pembina's Board of Directors
May 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Integrity First Bancorporation, Inc.
Has Been Acquired by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Integrity First's Board of Directors
April 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

MCB Bankshares, Inc.

Holding Company for

Has Been Acquired by:

Monona Bankshares, Inc.

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to MCB Bankshares' Board of Directors
January 2017


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Sold its Apple Valley, MN Branch to:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Deerwood Bank
November 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Calumet Bancshares

Holding Company for

Has Been Acquired by:

Calumet Bancorporation

Issued Fairness Opinion to Calumet Bancshares' Board of Directors
June 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Assets have been Acquired and Liabilities have been Assumed by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to State Bank of Drummond
May 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Subsidiary of Provincial Corp.

Has Been Acquired by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to Provincial's Board of Directors
April 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Shareholder Group

Voting and Non-voting Common Equity Shares

Has Been Acquired by:

Central Trust Co.
and Senior Management

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Selling Shareholder Group
October 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Northland Financial

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of H.O.M.E., Inc.

Has Been Acquired by:   

Issued Fairness Opinion to H.O.M.E., Inc.'s Board of Directors
August 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of VFSC, Inc.

Assets have been Acquired and Liabilities have been Assumed by:

Anchor Bank, NA
Anchor Bancorp, Inc.

Exclusive Financial Advisor & Issued Fairness Opinion to VFSC's Board of Directors
April 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of WPS Insurance Corporation

Assets have been Acquired and Liabilities have been Assumed by:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to WPS Insurance Corporation
April 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Edgar County Bancshares

Provided Equity Valuation for Controlling Shareholder

April 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of First Advantage Bancshares

Has Been Acquired by:

Border Bancshares, Inc.

Exclusive Financial Advisor to First Advantage Bancshares
February 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Acquired 100% of the Minority Ownership of:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Partnership Community Banc.
October 2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Acquired 100% of the Minority Ownership of:

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Partnership Community Banc.
October 2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

PWB Bancshares, Inc.

Has Been Acquired by:   

Issued Fairness Opinion to PWB's Board of Directors
June 2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Been Acquired by:

First American Inv.

Exclusive Financial Advisor 
February 2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Provided Control Valuation and Financial Advisory Services for Proposed Acquisition of First Financial Holdings, Inc.
December 2013


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Acquired Two Branches of:

Community National Bank

Exclusive Financial Advisor 
October 2013

 


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

for Wholly-Owned Bank Subsidiary 
Hiawatha National Bank

Provided Control Valuation
March 2011


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Been Acquired by:

Financial Advisor to Bell Mortgage
December 2010


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Provided Equity Valuation for Shares held in ESOP


2011-2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Wholly-Owned Bank Subsidiary of Evans Bancshares, Inc.

Has Been Acquired and Recapitalized by a:   

Private Investor

Exclusive Financial Advisor to Evans Bancshares, Inc.
October 2010


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Been Acquired by:

Issued Fairness Opinion to Black Earth Bancshares, Inc.'s Board of Directors
January 2010


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Management & Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session

Exclusive Advisor
August 2008


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Has Sold One Branch to:

Klein Bank

Exclusive Financial Advisor 
August 2007


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Capital Raising Expertise

$16.7 million TARP Series A Partial Redemption*

$13 million Senior Term Note

Exclusive Financial Advisor*
and Referral Agent

December 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

 

$6,500,000
Preferred Equity

Exclusive Placement Agent
November 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

$6,300,000
Common Equity

Exclusive Placement Agent
August 2016


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

 

$7,000,000
Subordinated Debt

Pool Referral Agent
October 2015


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Convergent Capital Partners, III, L.P.

SBIC Focused on Mezzanine Lending
$52,000,000
Common Equity

Participated as Introducing Agent
July 2014


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

 

$6,000,000
Subordinated Debentures

Eclusive Placement Agent
October 2013


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

 

$6,500,000
Common Equity

Eclusive Placement Agent
August 2013


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Northfield Bancshares

$3,762,500
Common Equity

Exclusive Placement Agent
August 2012


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Metro North Bancshares

$4,500,000
Common Equity

Exclusive Financial Advisor
March 2012


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

 

$10,000,000
Subordinated Notes

Eclusive Placement Agent
September 2011


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Eastwood Financial Corporation

 

$5,000,000
Subordinated Notes

Exclusive Placement Agent
December 2009


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

$23,000,000
Common Equity

Sole Selling Group Member
November 2009


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

$1.4 Mil Com. Equity*
$3.5 Mil Com. Equity
$3.0 Mil Warrants

Introducing Agent* and Exclusive Placement Agent
July 2009* and October 2008


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

De Novo in Formation

$12,650,000
Common Equity

Exclusive Placement Agent
June 2008


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC

Convergent Capital Partners, II, L.P.

SBIC Focused on Mezzanine Lending
$50,000,000
Common Equity

Participated as Introducing Agent
June 2007


The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, INC