Stock price when the opinion was issued
Believes it is the 5th largest bank in the US. Has a nice dividend yield of 2.7%. Very strong in commercial lending as well as business lending, and works with consumers. Has very good relationship management with communities in the Midwest. It really makes sense to buy a company like this. There will be more integration and more acquisitions within banking.
Likes the regional bank space. He is a big believer that the US is a country that is driven by small and medium-sized businesses, versus large corporations. This one has a great balance sheet and they have a management team that understands the business. Net interest margins and loan growth is what really drives regional banks. Looking out over the next several quarters, interest-rate margins are going to get better and there is an opportunity here for loan growth. $13-$14 over the next 12 months.