Roundup: Hibernia in Deal to Buy a Small La. Bank

NEW ORLEANS - Hibernia Corp. said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bunkie Bancshares, parent of Bunkie Bank and Trust Co.

Bunkie, with $109 million of assets and three offices, has a 32% share of the deposits in Avoyelles Parish. It would increase Hibernia's share in central Louisiana to 26% from 19%.

Hibernia agreed to exchange 170 shares of its stock for each Bunkie share in a tax-free pooling of interests. The total of 1.87 million shares was valued at $19.7 million. The merger is subject to approvals by regulators and Bunkie shareholders and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Including another pending merger, with First National Bank of Lake Providence in northeast Louisiana, Hibernia would have $7.2 billion of assets and 165 banking locations.

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