Jessica Perry//July 6, 2020//
Northfield Bank began July by officially expanding its footprint into Staten Island.
On July 1, Northfield Bancorp Inc., the institution’s parent company, announced the closing of its acquisition of Victory State Bank’s parent company, VSB Bancorp, increasing its total service locations in that portion of the New York marketplace to 18.
The integration of Victory’s branding and data processing systems is expected in September 2020, the bank said.
Under the agreement’s terms, Northfield said shares of Victory common stock will be exchanged for 2.0463 shares of its common stock, with fractional shares paid out in cash.
When the deal was first announced in December 2019, it was projected to create an institution with combined assets of $5.2 billion, loans for $3.5 billion and deposits of $3.7 billion.
“We are excited to welcome Victory customers and employees to the Northfield family,” Northfield Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Klein said in a prepared statement. “We are combining two iconic banking organizations, bringing first class products and technology with Northfield’s locally grown approach to service to the Staten Island community.”
Klein continued that Victory President and CEO Ralph Branca will join the bank’s team of lenders and business developers in Staten Island.
Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to Northfield, the bank said, and Luse Gorman PC served as legal counsel. FinPro Capital Advisors Inc. rendered a fairness opinion in connection with the deal while Gallet Dreyer & Berkey LLP served as legal counsel to Victory.
Woodbridge-based Northfield also operates 8 branch locations in Brooklyn in addition to its 17 in New Jersey.