In Brief: JeffBanks of Philadelphia Buying Niche Bank

JeffBanks Inc., Philadelphia, announced Thursday that it would pay about $45 million in stock for Regent Bancshares, also of Philadelphia.

Regent shareholders would receive 0.303 share of JeffBanks' common for each Regent share. JeffBanks was trading at $49.625 at midday Friday, and Regent at $14.50. The deal is expected to close by July 31.

Betsy Z. Cohen, chairman and chief executive officer of $1.3 billion- asset JeffBanks, said one-branch Regent National Bank would help it serve Philadelphia's entrepreneurs. Regent targets owner-operated businesses and high-net-worth individuals.

Robert B. Goldstein, CEO of $235 million-asset Regent, would become president and chief operating officer of JeffBanks' Jefferson Bank of Philadelphia.

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