HAMILTON, N.J., (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Bank (NASDAQ: FRBA) today announced the closing of a $30.0 million private placement of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The Bank plans to use the proceeds to redeem $22.0 million outstanding subordinated notes and for general corporate purposes.
The notes have a maturity date of June 1, 2030, and carry a fixed rate of interest of 5.50% for the first five years. Thereafter, the notes will pay interest at a floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to the then current three-month SOFR plus 538 basis points. The notes may be redeemed at the option of the Bank, without penalty, on or after June 1, 2025. The subordinated notes have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.
President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the offering: "We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our subordinated debt offering. This new capital will allow us to retire our existing subordinated notes at a lower interest rate and provide a strong base for continued growth without the dilutive impact of issuing new shares of stock. Furthermore, the tax-deductible nature of the instrument, combined with low interest rate, makes the overall cost of capital quite attractive."
Piper Sandler & Co. served as lead placement agent for the private offering with co-managers of Hovde Group, LLC, Boenning & Scattergood and D.A. Davidson & Co. First Bank was advised by Pepper Hamilton LLP and Piper Sandler & Co. was advised by Goodwin Procter LLP.
About First Bank
First Bank is a New Jersey state-chartered bank with 18 full-service branches in Cinnaminson, Cranbury, Delanco, Denville, Ewing, Flemington, Hamilton, Hamilton Square, Lawrence, Mercerville, Pennington, Randolph, Somerset and Williamstown, New Jersey; and Doylestown, Trevose, Warminster and West Chester, Pennsylvania. With $2.1 billion in assets as of March 31, 2020, First Bank offers a full range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses throughout the New York City to Philadelphia corridor. First Bank's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FRBA”.
