Merger of Equals Announced by 2 W. Va. Banks

Two West Virginia community banks have agreed to a merger of equals that would create a $287 million-asset company.

Potomac Valley Bank in Petersburg is to be merged into Moorefield-based South Branch Valley Bancorp, a two-bank holding company. Terms of the deal have not yet been negotiated.

South Branch has $193 million of assets and five offices in eastern West Virginia. It is organizing a third bank subsidiary, to be based in Winchester, Va., that it hopes to open in May. Potomac Valley Bank has two branches and $94 million of assets.

The deal would keep all the banks as separately operated subsidiaries of a holding company that has yet to be named. The merger is expected to close this year.

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