Okahoma Merger Talks Could Create Sixth-Largest Bank in Capital Region

Two small Oklahoma City-based banks are negotiating a merger.

Their tentative deal, announced April 3, would create the sixth-largest bank in the metropolitan area, with assets of $498 million.

First Fidelity Bank is negotiating to buy the slightly smaller Community Bank and Trust Co.

Community, with $216 million of assets, has two offices in Oklahoma City. First Fidelity, with $282 million, has four offices in the city and four elsewhere in the state.

Lee R. Symcox, president and chief executive of First Fidelity, said it needed "to grow to a size where we could offer services similar to those of our competitors and at the same time stay competitive."

He said it had been seeking a merger partner for several years and "hasn't closed the door on future deals."

The contemplated purchase of Community would be a cash transaction. Many details remain unresolved, Mr. Symcox said, but First Fidelity is interested in keeping as many Community Bank officials as possible.

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