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VyStar Credit Union acquires Citizens State Bank

JACKSONVILLE, FL (August 5, 2019) — VyStar Credit Union (VyStar) announced today that it has successfully acquired Citizens State Bank (CSB), a Florida state-chartered bank headquartered in Perry, Florida with $280 million in assets. The acquisition began earlier this year with a signed definitive agreement. Since that time, VyStar, CSB and the appropriate regulatory agencies have worked closely to finalize the transaction.

VyStar will maintain all four CSB branch offices and all CSB employees. The acquisition will bring VyStar’s total number of full-service branches to 55, and total assets to nearly $8.9 billion, serving more than 665,000 members. The operational aspects of the consolidation, including system integration, are on track for completion in mid-October.

VyStar’s President/CEO, Brian Wolfburg, says, “With the CSB acquisition and all future M&As for VyStar, the goal is simple: to grow into new markets and to bring the benefits of credit union membership to more people. In the coming months, VyStar is committed to working closely with CSB customers to make the transition as seamless as possible, and we look forward to serving all their financial needs.”

Earlier this year, VyStar received approval from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (FLOFR) to significantly expand its field of membership by 27 counties – more than doubling the original 22 counties – to include all 49 counties of Central to North Florida. This expansion included Taylor County, where CSB’s Perry and Steinhatchee offices are located. VyStar already serves the Gainesville community with two branch locations, the first opening over 10 years ago. In addition, VyStar received approval from the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and the FLOFR to expand into four Southeast Georgia counties: Camden, Charlton, Glynn and Ware.

VyStar’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Ryan McIntyre, has led VyStar’s efforts in identifying potential strategic partners. VyStar was represented in the transaction by Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC as legal counsel, and Skyway Capital Markets as a financial advisor. CSB was represented by Smith Mackinnon, PA as legal counsel, and Hovde Group as a financial advisor.


About VyStar Credit Union

VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with over 80 branches and now serves more than 975,000 members with assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the largest mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,500 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

Contacts

Charlene Shirk
Assistant Vice President of Public Relations
shirkc@vystarcu.org

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