Independent Bank in Hanover, Mass., initially balked at making an offer for Meridian Bancorp in Peabody, Mass. The $13.8 billion-asset Independent, when first approached about a potential deal in January, passed, citing a need to focus on other priorities, according to a recent regulatory filing tied to the pending acquisition. But it only took senior management a few weeks to reconsider talking to the $6.5 billion-asset Meridian. The companies announced a $1.2 billion merger on April 22; the

HBT Financial in Bloomington, Ill., has agreed to buy NXT Bancorp. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The $3.9 billion-asset HBT said in a press release Monday that it will pay $42.8 million in cash and stock for the parent of the $241 million-asset NXT Bank. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced NXT at 134% of its tangible book value.NXT Bank has $198 million of loans and

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has a new director of research. The New York investment bank, which is part of Stifel Financial, said in a press release Monday that it had promoted Matt Kelley. He succeeded Fred Cannon, who retired earlier this year.“With significant buy-side and sell-side equity research experience, Matt is eminently qualified for the position,” Thomas Michaud, KBW’s president and CEO, said in the release. “We are confident he will

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., has agreed to buy Landmark Community Bank in Collierville, Tenn., and Triumph Bancshares in Memphis, Tenn. The $23.3 billion-asset Simmons said in a press release Monday that it will pay $146.3 million in cash and stock for the $1 billion-asset Landmark and $131 million in cash and stock for the $900 million-asset Triumph. The deals, which are expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced

Oconee Financial in Watkinsville, Ga., has agreed to buy Elberton Federal Savings and Loan Association in Elberton, Ga. The $520 million-asset Oconee said in a press release Tuesday that the $29 million-asset Elberton, a federal mutual savings association, will convert to a stock-owned bank before the merger. Oconee will offer shares of its common stock to qualifying Elberton customers, and possibly others, in a subscription offering and a community offering.

German American Bancorp in Jasper, Ind., has agreed to sell two branches in Lexington, Ky. The $5.2 billion-asset company disclosed in a regulatory filing Friday that it will also sell $30.3 million of deposits and $8.9 million of loans to Home Savings and Loan Co. in Kenton, Ohio. The sale is expected to close in the second half of this year. German American did not disclose the price Home Savings will pay.German

Liberty Financial Services in New Orleans has agreed to buy Tri-State Bank of Memphis in Tennessee in a deal involving minority-owned banks.The $860 million-asset Liberty said in a press release Thursday that it will pay cash for the $105 million-asset Tri-State. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year. Liberty did not disclose the price it will pay. “Memphis is extremely rich in history, and we are

United Bankshares in Charleston, W.Va., has agreed to buy Community Bankers Trust in Richmond, Va.The $27 billion-asset United said in a press release Thursday that it will pay $303.3 million in stock for the $1.7 billion-asset parent of Essex Bank. The deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, priced Community Bankers Trust at 167% of its tangible book value. Community Bankers Trust has 18 branches in Virginia and