[8-K] FULTON FINANCIAL CORP Reports Material Event
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Fulton Financial Corporation agreed to acquire Blue Foundry Bancorp in an all-stock merger, giving Blue Foundry shareholders 0.650 shares of Fulton common stock for each share they own.
After the merger, Blue Foundry Bank will combine with Fulton Bank, N.A., with Fulton Bank as the surviving bank, and Blue Foundry restricted stock will vest and receive the same stock consideration while in-the-money options are cashed out. Closing depends on Blue Foundry stockholder approval, several bank regulatory approvals, Nasdaq listing of the new Fulton shares, and effectiveness of a Form S-4 registration statement, along with tax opinions confirming the deal qualifies as a reorganization. The agreement provides mutual termination rights and includes a termination fee of $9,694,662 payable by Blue Foundry if the merger ends under specified circumstances.
Positive
- Strategic stock-for-stock acquisition: Fulton will acquire Blue Foundry in an all-stock merger at a fixed 0.650 Fulton share exchange ratio per Blue Foundry share, with the combined banking operations consolidated under Fulton Bank, N.A., and the parties referencing expected accretion to earnings metrics in their forward-looking discussion.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Fulton announces an all-stock acquisition of Blue Foundry with a defined exchange ratio and standard bank-regulatory closing conditions.
Fulton Financial plans to acquire Blue Foundry Bancorp via a stock-for-stock merger where each Blue Foundry share converts into 0.650 shares of Fulton common stock. Blue Foundry Bank will merge into Fulton Bank, N.A., consolidating the combined franchise under Fulton’s national bank subsidiary.
The structure leaves Blue Foundry shareholders owning Fulton stock, while Blue Foundry restricted stock fully vests into the same consideration and in-the-money options receive cash based on a specified cashout price. Completion depends on Blue Foundry stockholder approval, multiple regulatory approvals from the Federal Reserve, OCC and New Jersey banking regulators, Nasdaq’s non-objection to listing the new shares, and the Form S-4 becoming effective.
The agreement includes customary protections such as non-solicitation covenants, a defined "Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition" carve-out, and a $9,694,662 termination fee payable by Blue Foundry if the merger is terminated in certain scenarios. Future disclosures in the S-4/proxy materials are expected to provide more detail on the anticipated financial impact, including the referenced expected accretion to earnings metrics.
FAQ
What merger did Fulton Financial (FULT) announce with Blue Foundry Bancorp?
Fulton Financial Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Blue Foundry Bancorp under which Blue Foundry will merge into Fulton, with Fulton as the surviving corporation, followed by Blue Foundry Bank merging into Fulton Bank, N.A.
What consideration will Blue Foundry shareholders receive in the Fulton (FULT) merger?
Each share of Blue Foundry common stock outstanding immediately before the effective time will be converted into the right to receive 0.650 shares of Fulton common stock plus cash in lieu of any fractional Fulton shares.
How are Blue Foundry stock options and restricted stock treated in the Fulton merger?
At closing, Blue Foundry options will fully vest and be cancelled in exchange for cash equal to the number of underlying shares times the excess of a specified cashout price over the exercise price, if any. Blue Foundry restricted stock awards will fully vest and be treated as outstanding Blue Foundry shares, converting into the same stock consideration as other shares.
What approvals and conditions must be satisfied for the Fulton–Blue Foundry merger to close?
Closing requires Blue Foundry stockholder approval, required regulatory approvals from the Federal Reserve, OCC and New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance without a "Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition," Nasdaq non-objection to listing the new Fulton shares, effectiveness of a Form S-4 registration statement, and customary accuracy and performance conditions.
Is there a termination fee related to the Fulton (FULT) and Blue Foundry merger?
Yes. Under certain termination scenarios described in the merger agreement, Blue Foundry would be required to pay a $9,694,662 termination fee.
Will the Fulton–Blue Foundry merger be tax-free to shareholders?
The merger is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and each party’s obligation to close is conditioned on receiving a legal opinion that this tax treatment applies.
Where can investors find more detailed information about the Fulton and Blue Foundry merger?
More details will be provided in a Form S-4 registration statement filed by Fulton, which will include a proxy statement of Blue Foundry and a prospectus of Fulton, available free of charge on the SEC’s website and on the companies’ investor relations websites.