Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. Announces Plans to Exit its Mortgage Banking Division

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Ridge Bankshares (NYSE American: BRBS) has announced plans to exit its mortgage banking division through a definitive asset purchase and sale agreement to sell Monarch Mortgage assets to an unidentified third-party mortgage company. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2025.

Monarch Mortgage, which specializes in residential mortgage loan origination and processing for secondary market sale, will continue managing existing loan applications through closing. CEO G. William Beale explained this strategic move as part of the company's effort to refocus on community banking within their primary geographical footprint, noting that the current interest rate environment would require additional investment to scale the mortgage division for meaningful profitability.

Positive

• Strategic realignment to focus on core community banking operations
• Reduction of operational costs by eliminating need for additional investment in mortgage division
• Clean exit through sale of assets to third party

Negative

• Loss of revenue stream from mortgage banking division
• Current interest rate environment making mortgage division unprofitable
• Reduction in business diversification

RICHMOND, Va., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American: BRBS), the holding company of Blue Ridge Bank, National Association ("Blue Ridge Bank") and BRB Financial Group, Inc., today announced that Blue Ridge Bank has entered into a definitive asset purchase and sale agreement to sell certain assets of its mortgage division operating as Monarch Mortgage to an unrelated third-party mortgage company. Monarch Mortgage provides mortgage banking services, including the origination and processing of residential mortgage loans primarily for sale into the secondary market. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter, subject to customary closing conditions.

Under the terms of the asset purchase and sale agreement, Blue Ridge Bank, doing business as Monarch Mortgage, will continue to fulfill its obligations to prospective borrowers with respect to loans in process and will manage such loans toward closing and funding in the ordinary course of business. 

G. William Beale, President and CEO of the Company, stated "The decision to exit our mortgage banking division was an additional step in our strategy to refocus our efforts on community banking in our primary geographical footprint. In the current interest rate environment, this line of business required additional investment to reach the scale needed to be a meaningful contributor to our profitability, which is not our near-term focus. I am pleased that the Monarch Mortgage team has a wonderful opportunity with the acquiring company. I wish them a smooth transition and much success."

About Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc.:

Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Blue Ridge Bank and BRB Financial Group, Inc. The Company, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking. The Company also provides investment and wealth management services and management services for personal and corporate trusts, including estate planning and trust administration. Visit www.mybrb.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements: 

This release of the Company contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company's beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as "may," "could," "should," "will," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "intend," "plan," or words or phrases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on its expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company's control. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For details on factors that could affect these expectations, see the risk factors and other cautionary language included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking information and statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to, and will not, update or revise these forward-looking statements after the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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SOURCE Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc.

FAQ

When will Blue Ridge Bankshares (BRBS) complete the sale of Monarch Mortgage?

The sale is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

What happens to existing Monarch Mortgage loan applications during BRBS's transition?

Blue Ridge Bank will continue to fulfill obligations to prospective borrowers with loans in process, managing them through closing and funding as usual.

Why is BRBS selling its Monarch Mortgage division?

The company is refocusing on community banking in its primary geographical footprint, as the mortgage division would require additional investment to reach profitable scale in the current interest rate environment.

Who is purchasing Monarch Mortgage from Blue Ridge Bankshares (BRBS)?

The buyer is described as an unrelated third-party mortgage company, with specific details not disclosed in the announcement.