In Brief: Indiana Bank's Deal Expands Eastward Push

Evansville, Ind.-based National City Bancshares said it plans to expand further into southeastern Indiana with a deal to buy Hoosier Hills Financial Corp., Osgood, for about $29.6 million of stock.

National City, a $1.5 billion-asset bank holding company, said it plans to issue about 730,000 shares of stock in exchange for $109 million-asset Hoosier Hills. National City expects to complete the merger during the third or fourth quarter.

The Hoosier Hills deal is part of National City's plan to build up its business in eastern Indiana, said Michael F. Elliott, chairman and chief executive officer of National City. He said the company would like to continue expanding into southern Ohio as well.

In March, the company announced its plan to merge with $130 million- asset Community First Financial Group. The English, Ind., company was National City's first acquisition in southeastern Indiana. National City's 13-bank business traditionally has been concentrated in southwestern Indiana, southeastern Illinois and northwestern Kentucky.

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