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