Return to Virginia Business - April 2004

Around the Old Dominion

TowneBank’s growing appetite

Virginia Business
April 2004

Five years ago leaders at the new TowneBank set a goal to be the dominant community bank in Hampton Roads. Now they're claiming victory after buying out competitor Harbor Bank last month in an all-stock transaction valued at $84.4 million.

The acquisition gives TowneBank a location in every major local city except Norfolk. “We're now at least two times as big as our closest community bank competitor,” says G. Robert Aston, Jr., chairman and CEO. Because Harbor Bank served different geographic markets than TowneBank, he added, no branch closings or layoffs are anticipated.

As a result of the deal, which took effect on March 19, TowneBank will have 15 full-service banking operations, along with $1.3 billion in assets, $1.1 billion in deposits and $900 million in loans. The move lets TowneBank raise its legal lending limit from $15 million to $20 million, an increase, Aston said, that “will allow us to greatly expand our ability to serve the growing Peninsula corporate community.”

Return to Virginia Business - April 2004