National Bank of Canada says it is purchasing Canadian Western Bank in a share exchange transaction that values the Edmonton-based lender at approximately $5 billion.
The companies say the deal brings together two complementary banks with growing businesses and the combined entity will offer national scale while maintaining a regionally focused service model.
The deal will see each CWB share, other than those already held by National, exchanged for 0.45 of a common share of National Bank.
It says the exchange ratio values each CWB share at $52.24, representing a 110-per-cent premium to Tuesday’s closing price of $24.89.
The deal is subject to certain customary conditions and must be approved by regulators and two-thirds of Canadian Western Bank’s shareholders.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of next year.