Latest Corporate News News
First Financial Bancorp Completes Acquisition of BankFinancial
First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) finalized its all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial effective January 1, 2026, adding 18 Chicago-area financial centers and boosting consolidated assets to $22 billion. BankFinancial will retain its name until a June 2026 conversion, with no immediate customer action required.
This expands First Financial's Midwest presence following recent deals like Westfield Bancorp.
Mercantile Bank Corporation Merges with Eastern Michigan Financial
Mercantile Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: MBWM) announced the completion of its merger with Eastern Michigan Financial Corporation on December 31, 2025, effective into 2026. The strategic combination aims to better serve Michigan's businesses and communities, with a conference call planned for January 20, 2026.
CEO Raymond Reitsma highlighted enhanced support for local markets and innovative financial solutions.
Civista Bancshares Acquires The Farmers Savings Bank
Civista Bancshares completed its acquisition of The Farmers Savings Bank, adding two branches in Northeast Ohio and approximately $236 million in low-cost deposits. The $70.4 million deal, combining cash and stock, increases Civista’s total assets to around $4.4 billion, including $3.2 billion in loans.
This expands its community banking footprint in Medina and Lorain Counties.
Green Energy Stocks Outperform Major Indices in 2025
The S&P Global Clean Energy Index rose 46% by Christmas 2025, surpassing the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and MSCI World Index. This performance highlights resilience in sustainability investments despite global political shifts away from green agendas.
Corporate sustainability efforts accelerated quietly, with 99% of CEOs planning to maintain or expand initiatives per Accenture survey.
Cicor Group Closes Acquisition of Spanish Electronics Firm MADES
The Cicor Group finalized its purchase of 100% shares in MADES S.A.U., a Málaga-based Spanish electronics company, as part of 2025 PCB industry consolidation. This move strengthens Cicor's position in the printed circuit board sector amid ongoing M&A activity.
The acquisition reflects broader trends in electronics manufacturing mergers.
M&A Outlook Strengthens for 2026 in Columbus Market
Dealmakers anticipate increased M&A activity in 2026 due to stabilizing markets, improved financing, and Fed rate cuts, per Deloitte and Wall Street Journal surveys. Sectors like technology, industrials, healthcare, and energy are poised for transformative acquisitions.
Columbus saw a 15.4% dip in November 2025 activity but features recent deals by reAlpha Tech and others.
Brown & Brown Schedules 2025 Q4 Earnings Release
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) will release its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings on January 26, 2026, after market close. The announcement underscores ongoing corporate financial reporting amid M&A focus.
Investors await details on performance and potential acquisition updates.
Corporate Clean Energy Investments Surge Globally
Clean energy investment rose sharply in 2025, fueled by AI power demands and private funding in batteries, nuclear, and solar. Renewables overtook coal as the world's top electricity source, with solar growing 306 TWh.
China led as the 'green giant,' adding twice the global solar capacity and exporting $180B in green tech.
Ten Major Consolidations in Offshore Rig, Oil, Gas, and Shipping
Offshore Energy highlighted ten key 2025 consolidation deals across rig, oil & gas, and shipping sectors. These moves reflect strategic mergers to enhance market positions amid industry shifts.
The developments signal ongoing consolidation trends into 2026.
India's Power Sector Emissions Fall as Renewables Surge
India reached an emissions inflection point in 2025, with power sector carbon emissions declining due to renewable energy growth. This decouples economic expansion from emissions at scale globally.
Corporate investments quietly accelerated sustainability efforts despite political headwinds.
Private Equity Eyes Transformative Deals in 2026
Private equity firms expect robust activity in 2026, targeting exit-ready assets in tech, healthcare, and energy. Strategic buyers pursue M&A for AI adoption, scale, and divestitures.
Improved credit access and tariff clarity boost middle-market and large-cap deals.
Ireland Ends Coal Power, Joins European Green Shift
Ireland ceased coal power generation in 2025, aligning with a growing number of European nations phasing out coal. This corporate and policy shift supports broader sustainability decoupling of growth from emissions.
Green energy stocks' outperformance underscores market viability.