In Brief: 1st United and Gateway Of Florida Drop Merger

BOCA RATON, Fla. - 1st United Bancorp, parent of 1st United Bank, and Gateway American Bank of Florida have agreed to terminate their merger agreement, announced less than a month ago.

"It is our view now that the niche markets and lending strategies of the two banks were not as compatible as we had presumed them to be," said Warren S. Orlando, chief executive officer of 1st United Bank. "We have identified different marketplace emphasis and strategies which suit our respective banks but do not necessarily overlap in the manner we had anticipated."

1st United and Gateway decided instead to explore joint business opportunities to expand each bank's loan offerings.

Fort Lauderdale-based Gateway had $27 million of assets and $23 million of deposits on June 30. It has one office.

Boca Raton-based 1st United Bancorp is a $310 million-asset financial services company. Its subsidiary, 1st United Bank, is the largest community bank in Palm Beach County, Fla., with 11 full-service branches in Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties.

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