HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. Expands into Attractive Virginia Markets Through Acquisition of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc.
Rhea-AI Summary
HomeTrust Bancshares (NYSE: HTB) agreed to acquire Blue Ridge Bankshares (NYSEAM: BRBS) in an all-stock merger valued at approximately $448.1 million. Blue Ridge shareholders will receive 0.086 HTB shares per BRBS share, implying about $4.28 per share based on HomeTrust’s recent 5‑day VWAP.
The deal is expected to create a commercial bank with over $7 billion in assets and more than 60 locations across the Southeast. HomeTrust stockholders are projected to own about 65% of the combined company, with Blue Ridge shareholders owning about 35%. The transaction is targeted to close in early Q1 2027, subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals, and is projected by HomeTrust to be ~30% EPS accretive by 2028, with an estimated 8.3% tangible book value dilution and a roughly 3.25‑year earn‑back period.
Positive
- $448.1 million all-stock acquisition of Blue Ridge
- Creates combined bank with over $7 billion in assets
- Network expands to more than 60 locations across the Southeast
- HomeTrust projects approximately 30% EPS accretion by 2028
- Blue Ridge shareholders to own about 35% of larger platform
Negative
- HomeTrust estimates 8.3% tangible book value dilution at closing
- Tangible book value earn-back projected at about 3.25 years
- Closing targeted for early Q1 2027, with benefits delayed until then
- Deal remains subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals and customary conditions
News Explained
The agreement separately covers Blue Ridge warrants: holders of approximately
Market Reaction – HTB
Following this news, HTB has declined 4.76%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 4 alerts so far, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $47.60. Trading volume is exceptionally heavy at 14.3x the average, suggesting significant selling pressure.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Gold for real-time data.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 04 | Stock repurchase | Positive | +1.2% | Completed prior repurchase and authorized an additional share buyback program |
| Jul 23 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +0.5% | Reported quarterly results, increased dividend, and continued share repurchases |
| Jul 07 | Healthcare banking division | Positive | -0.8% | Added specialized healthcare banking coverage across the Southeast |
| May 05 | Bank recognition | Positive | +0.6% | Received recognition from KBW, Forbes, and workplace-ranking organizations |
| Apr 23 | Quarterly earnings | Positive | +3.6% | Reported first-quarter earnings growth and raised the quarterly dividend |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Prior reactions were positive for four of five events; the healthcare banking announcement was the lone negative reaction.
Key Terms
volume-weighted average price financial
warrants financial
tax-free reorganization regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
ASHEVILLE, NC and RICHMOND, VA, Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: HTB) (“HomeTrust”), the holding company of HomeTrust Bank, and Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (NYSEAM: BRBS) (“Blue Ridge”), the holding company of Blue Ridge Bank, National Association (“Blue Ridge Bank”), today jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement (“Agreement”), pursuant to which HomeTrust will acquire Blue Ridge in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately
The acquisition expands HomeTrust’s footprint into desirable Virginia markets, creating a commercial bank with over
“We are thrilled about the proposed combination with Blue Ridge and welcoming their team and customers to HomeTrust. This represents a compelling opportunity to further expand our presence in the attractive Virginia market and accelerate our growth strategy,” said C. Hunter Westbrook, President and Chief Executive Officer of HomeTrust. “Blue Ridge brings a strong deposit franchise, a growing commercial loan portfolio, and deep local relationships that complement our existing footprint and capabilities. With our award-winning culture, combined size and capital strength, we are creating a more profitable, resilient, and relevant regional commercial bank, with top quartile earnings and continued recognition as an employer of choice.”
Harry Golliday, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge, commented, “Blue Ridge has successfully completed a clean-up of legacy challenges and repositioned itself for profitability and growth. HomeTrust's own transformation from a legacy thrift into a high-performing commercial bank provides a proven roadmap, product suite and talent base to accelerate Blue Ridge's next chapter of success. I am excited for our customers to become part of the HomeTrust organization, which is dedicated to being a great regional community bank, and for our associates to belong to the strategy of being a ‘best place to work.’”
Under the terms of the Agreement, Blue Ridge shareholders will receive 0.086 of a share of HomeTrust common stock for each share of Blue Ridge common stock. Based on HomeTrust’s 5-day volume-weighted average price of approximately
The transaction is expected to close early in the first quarter of 2027 and be accretive to earnings per share by approximately
The boards of HomeTrust and Blue Ridge unanimously approved the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, HomeTrust and Blue Ridge stockholder approvals, and other customary conditions of closing.
A copy of HomeTrust’s investor presentation may be accessed from HomeTrust’s August 17, 2026, Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or under “Investor Relations” on HomeTrust’s website, www.htb.com.
Piper Sandler & Co. is serving as financial advisor and Silver Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP is serving as legal counsel to HomeTrust on the transaction. Stephens Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Williams Mullen is serving as legal counsel to Blue Ridge on the transaction.
About HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.
HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, is the holding company for HomeTrust Bank, a state-chartered community bank operating over 30 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Georgia. With total assets of
Visit HomeTrust's website at www.htb.com.
About Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc.
Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Blue Ridge Bank, N.A. and BRB Financial Group, Inc. Blue Ridge, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, and retail mortgage lending. Blue Ridge also provides investment and wealth management services and management services for personal and corporate trusts, including estate planning and trust administration.
Visit Blue Ridge’s website at www.mybrb.com.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Important Information and Where You Can Find It
In connection with the proposed merger transaction, HomeTrust expects to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") that will include a preliminary joint proxy statement of HomeTrust and Blue Ridge and a preliminary prospectus of HomeTrust (the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, HomeTrust and Blue Ridge will mail a definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their stockholders and shareholders, respectively. This communication is not a substitute for the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or Registration Statement or for any other document that HomeTrust or Blue Ridge may file with the SEC and send to their respective stockholders or shareholders in connection with the proposed merger transaction. Stockholders of HomeTrust and shareholders of Blue Ridge are urged to read carefully the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger transaction when they become available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.
Free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as well as other filings containing information about HomeTrust, Blue Ridge, and the proposed transaction, may be obtained at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, in the "Investor Relations" section of HomeTrust's website, www.htb.com, under "SEC Filings" in the "Financials & Filings" heading, and in the "Investor Relations" section of Blue Ridge’s website, www.mybrb.bank, under “SEC Filings” in the "Financials" heading or by requesting them in writing or by telephone from HomeTrust at: HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc., 10 Woodfin Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, Attn: Tony J. VunCannon; Telephone (828) 350-3049 or by requesting them in writing or by telephone from Blue Ridge at: Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc., 1801 Bayberry Court, Suite 101, Richmond, Virginia 23226, Attn: Judy C. Gavant; Telephone (804) 518-2606.
Participants in Solicitation
HomeTrust and Blue Ridge and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of HomeTrust and the shareholders of Blue Ridge in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding HomeTrust’s directors and executive officers is contained in HomeTrust’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 7, 2026. Information regarding Blue Ridge’s directors and executive officers is contained in Blue Ridge’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 30, 2026. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger transaction when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described above.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "should," "will," "could," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "future," "intends," "projects," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook and expectations of HomeTrust and Blue Ridge with respect to the proposed merger transaction, the anticipated strategic and financial benefits of the proposed merger transaction, including the expected impact of the proposed merger transaction on HomeTrust’s or Blue Ridge’s future financial performance pending the completion of the proposed merger transaction and on HomeTrust's financial performance following the proposed merger transaction, and the timing of the closing of the proposed merger transaction.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts, nor assurance of future performance. Instead, such statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of HomeTrust's and Blue Ridge’s respective businesses, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of HomeTrust’s or Blue Ridge’s control, and actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not unduly rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date when made. HomeTrust and Blue Ridge undertake no obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to, among others, the following risks, uncertainties and assumptions:
- The possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed merger transaction, including anticipated cost savings and strategic gains, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or challenges arising from, the integration of Blue Ridge into HomeTrust or as a result of the strength of the economy, competitive factors in the areas where Blue Ridge and HomeTrust do business, or as a result of other unexpected factors or events;
- The timing and completion of the proposed merger transaction is dependent on the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and various other factors that cannot be predicted with precision at this point;
- The occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of HomeTrust, Blue Ridge or both to terminate the merger agreement;
- Completion of the proposed merger transaction is subject to bank regulatory approvals and such approvals may not be obtained in a timely manner or at all or may be subject to conditions which may cause additional significant expense or delay the consummation of the proposed merger transaction;
- Potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed merger transaction;
- The diversion of attention and time by the respective management teams of HomeTrust and Blue Ridge from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters;
- The outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed merger transaction which may be instituted against HomeTrust or Blue Ridge;
- Unanticipated challenges or delays in the integration of Blue Ridge’s business into HomeTrust’s business and/or the conversion of Blue Ridge’s operating systems and customer data onto HomeTrust’s may significantly increase the expense associated with the proposed merger transaction; and
- Other factors that may affect future results of Blue Ridge and HomeTrust.
These forward-looking statements are also subject to the principal risks and uncertainties applicable to Blue Ridge’s and HomeTrust’s respective businesses and activities generally that are disclosed in HomeTrust’s and Blue Ridge’s respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and in other documents HomeTrust and Blue Ridge file with the SEC. HomeTrust’s and Blue Ridge’s SEC filings are accessible on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
HomeTrust Contact Information C. Hunter Westbrook President and Chief Executive Officer (828) 365-7084 Tony J. VunCannon EVP, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer (828) 259-3939 Blue Ridge Contact Information Judy C. Gavant EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Investor Relations Professional (804) 518-2606