When negotiating the sale of a bank, the buyers and sellers often engage in a kabuki dance over the indemnification provisions of the agreement. What should you expect as a buyer or a seller when it comes to these terms?

We sat down with Community Bankers of Iowa CEO, Dave Caris, to have a conversation about the Iowa tax reform bill and its impact on banks, credit unions and the state of Iowa generally, as well as its likelihood of success in the Iowa legislature.

Succession planning is an often overlooked part of your bank’s overall strategic planning process.

Shareholder value in a bank is enhanced when the individuals who manage and operate the bank have an incentive to maximize profitability. 

Last week we talked about a unique bidding process, which ended up being a success for the selling bank. This week we will look at an example of how not to conduct an auction. 

The twin pressures of succession planning and increased regulatory burdens have caused many bank owners to consider selling their banks. What is the best way to sell your bank?

Most bank acquisitions start with a conversation and proceed to a letter of intent before the binding definitive purchase agreement is signed. Is a letter of intent necessary? Probably.

There are some key concerns to consider when drafting the indemnification section in an acquisition agreement.

Directors owe these fiduciary duties to the corporation: care, loyalty, good faith, compliance and oversight. 

There is a little-known provision of the Iowa Business Corporation Act which gives a board of directors extraordinary power during an emergency. How might this provision affect your business?