Huntington Bancshares and Cadence Bank Shareholders Approve Pending Merger

Rhea-AI Summary

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) and Huntington Bancshares (Nasdaq: HBAN) announced that both companies' shareholders approved the proposed merger on Jan. 6, 2026.

Shareholders approved Cadence's combination into The Huntington National Bank and Huntington's issuance of common stock for the transaction. The companies said the deal is expected to close on February 1, 2026, subject to remaining customary closing conditions.

Company leaders said approvals advance plans to expand the combined footprint, broaden capabilities for customers, and create shareholder value once the transaction closes.

Positive

• Shareholder approvals completed on Jan. 6, 2026
• Transaction expected to close on February 1, 2026
• Companies cite an expanded footprint and broader capabilities for customers

Negative

• Closing remains subject to satisfaction or waiver of remaining customary closing conditions
• Huntington will issue common stock in the transaction, changing Huntington capital structure

Key Figures

Expected closing date February 1, 2026 Targeted completion of Huntington–Cadence merger

Market Reality Check

$44.82 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,752,128 vs 1,911,138 20-day average (relative 0.92) ahead of merger milestone. normal

Technical Price 44.25 trades above 200-day MA 35.16 and 1.1% below 52-week high 44.74.

Peers on Argus

CADE gained 2.38% on shareholder approval while peers were mixed: BOKF +2.25%, PB +1.08%, PNFP +0.70%, OZK +0.45%, SNV -2.68%, indicating a more company-specific reaction.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 29	Earnings schedule	Neutral	-0.5%	Announced timing for Q4 2025 and annual financial results release.
Dec 23	Community donations	Positive	-1.2%	Announced $150,000 in charitable grants across seven nonprofits.
Dec 22	Merger approval	Positive	-1.2%	OCC and other required regulatory approvals for Huntington merger.
Nov 13	Subsidiary awards	Positive	-1.3%	Linscomb Wealth announced multiple 2025 industry recognitions.
Nov 12	Workplace award	Positive	+0.8%	Named among American Banker’s 2025 Best Banks to Work For.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has often seen modest, sometimes negative, price moves even on generally positive announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Cadence issued mostly positive or neutral news, including workplace accolades on Nov. 12, 2025, Linscomb Wealth awards on Nov. 13, 2025, and regulatory approval for the Huntington merger on Dec. 22, 2025. Price reactions were generally small, with several slightly negative moves. The current shareholder approvals follow that regulatory approval step and further advance the pending merger expected to close on February 1, 2026.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement confirms that both Huntington and Cadence shareholders approved the pending merger, marking a key step after earlier regulatory clearances. The deal continued on track toward an expected February 1, 2026 close, building on prior acquisition-related milestones in 2025. Investors following the story may focus on remaining closing conditions and integration planning updates, alongside upcoming earnings and regulatory filings that could refine views on the combined bank’s scale and financial profile.

Key Terms

merger financial

"have approved the proposed merger of Cadence into The Huntington National Bank"

A merger is when two companies combine into a single business, with ownership and control reorganized so they operate as one entity. For investors it matters because mergers can change the value and risk of holdings—shares may be exchanged, diluted, or rise if the combined company saves costs or gains market power, and the deal often depends on regulatory approval and successful integration like two households joining resources and routines.

common stock financial

"approved the issuance of shares of Huntington's common stock in connection"

Common stock represents ownership shares in a company, giving investors a stake in its success and a say in important decisions through voting rights. It is the most common type of stock traded on markets and can provide income through dividends, as well as potential for value growth. For investors, holding common stock means sharing in the company’s profits and risks.

shareholder meetings regulatory

"at their respective special shareholder meetings held today"

A shareholder meeting is a formal gathering where a company’s owners come together—like a town hall for people who hold its stock—to hear updates, vote on key decisions (such as electing the board, approving major deals or changes to corporate rules), and ask management questions. Outcomes and votes can change who runs the company, its strategic direction, dividend policy or major transactions, so these meetings directly affect governance, risk and potential value for investors.

merger agreement regulatory

"customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement"

A merger agreement is a binding contract that lays out the exact terms for two companies to combine, including the price, what each side will deliver, and the conditions that must be met before the deal is completed. Investors care because it sets the timetable, payouts and risks — like a blueprint or prenup that shows whether the deal is likely to close, how ownership will change, and what could cancel or alter the payout they expect.

closing conditions regulatory

"subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining customary closing conditions"

Closing conditions are specific requirements or steps that must be met before a financial deal or transaction can be finalized. They act like a checklist that ensures all necessary details are confirmed and agreed upon, giving both parties confidence that the deal is ready to be completed. Meeting these conditions is essential for the transaction to move forward smoothly and successfully.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

COLUMBUS, Ohio and HOUSTON and TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN); ("Huntington") and Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE); ("Cadence") jointly announced that Cadence's shareholders have approved the proposed merger of Cadence into The Huntington National Bank and that Huntington's shareholders have approved the issuance of shares of Huntington's common stock in connection with the proposed merger at their respective special shareholder meetings held today.

"Today's shareholder approval is an important milestone in our journey toward combining Huntington and Cadence," said Steve Steinour, Chairman, President and CEO of Huntington Bancshares. "I am pleased our respective shareholders overwhelmingly support this combination, which will enable us to help more people and businesses across a broader footprint, while providing a compelling opportunity to grow shareholder value. I am grateful to Dan Rollins and the Cadence team for their partnership, and I look forward to welcoming Cadence colleagues, customers and shareholders when the transaction is complete."

"We are one step closer to a partnership that will bring an expanded set of capabilities and industry expertise to Cadence's customers," said James D. "Dan" Rollins III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cadence Bank. "Today's shareholder approvals reflect our mutual philosophy around relationship-first, community-based banking, and the shared value and opportunities that this combination can create."

The transaction is expected to close on February 1, 2026, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $223 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middle‐market businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates more than 1,000 branches in 14 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit Huntington.com for more information.

About Cadence

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a $53 billion regional bank committed to helping people, companies and communities prosper. With more than 390 locations spanning the South and Texas, Cadence offers comprehensive banking, investment, trust and mortgage products and services to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and corporations. Accolades include being recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report and as a 2025 America's Best Banks by Forbes. Cadence has dutifully served customers for nearly 150 years. Learn more at www.cadencebank.com. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ("Huntington") and Cadence Bank ("Cadence"), the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, estimates, uncertainties and other important factors that change over time and could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance, or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including as a result of the factors referenced below. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, continue, believe, intend, estimate, plan, trend, objective, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Huntington and Cadence caution that the forward-looking statements in this communication are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess and are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond Huntington's and Cadence's control. While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements or historical performance: changes in general economic, political, or industry conditions; deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, supply chain issues or labor shortages, instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; the impact of pandemics and other catastrophic events or disasters on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements and costs, such as Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") special assessments, long-term debt requirements and heightened capital requirements, and potential impacts to macroeconomic conditions, which could affect the ability of depository institutions, including us, to attract and retain depositors and to borrow or raise capital; unexpected outflows of uninsured deposits which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; changing interest rates which could negatively impact the value of our portfolio of investment securities; the loss of value of our investment portfolio which could negatively impact market perceptions of us and could lead to deposit withdrawals; the effects of social media on market perceptions of us and banks generally; cybersecurity risks; uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"); volatility and disruptions in global capital, foreign exchange and credit markets; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services including those implementing our "Fair Play" banking philosophy; changes in policies and standards for regulatory review of bank mergers; the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state-level regulators; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Huntington and Cadence; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Huntington or Cadence; delays in completing the proposed transaction involving Huntington and Cadence; the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Huntington and Cadence do business; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; the ability of Huntington and Cadence to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatment of the transaction; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business, customer or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Huntington and Cadence successfully; the dilution caused by Huntington's issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; and other factors that may affect the future results of Huntington and Cadence. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Huntington's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025, each of which is on file with the SEC and available on the "Investor Relations" section of Huntington's website, http://www.huntington.com, under the heading "Investor Relations" and in other documents Huntington files with the SEC, and in Cadence's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025, each of which is on file with the Federal Reserve and available on Cadence's investor relations website, ir.cadencebank.com, under the heading "Public Filings" and in other documents Cadence files with the Federal Reserve.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither Huntington nor Cadence assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or other factors affecting forward-looking statements that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. If Huntington or Cadence updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that Huntington or Cadence will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

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SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

FAQ

When did Cadence Bank (CADE) and Huntington (HBAN) shareholders approve the merger?

Shareholders of both companies approved the merger on January 6, 2026.

What is the expected closing date for the CADE and HBAN merger?

The companies expect the transaction to close on February 1, 2026, subject to remaining closing conditions.

Will Huntington issue stock as part of the merger with Cadence (CADE)?

Yes; Huntington shareholders approved the issuance of Huntington common stock in connection with the merger.

What do the companies say the merger will do for Cadence customers?

Company leaders said the combination will provide an expanded set of capabilities and industry expertise to Cadence customers.

Is the CADE–HBAN merger final after shareholder approval?

No; the transaction remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining customary closing conditions before closing.