OceanFirst Financial Corp. to Acquire Sun Bancorp

7/4/17

TOMS RIVER, N.J. and MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., June 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC) headquartered in Toms River, New Jersey, and Sun Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNBC), headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which Sun, the holding company of Sun National Bank, will merge with and into OceanFirst, the holding company of OceanFirst Bank. Sun National Bank will also merge with and into OceanFirst Bank. Based on the closing price of OceanFirst common stock on June 29, 2017, the transaction is valued at approximately $25.27 per Sun common share or approximately $487 million in the aggregate.

As one of New Jersey’s largest community banks with approximately $2.3 billion in total assets, $1.7 billion in total deposits and $1.6 billion in gross loans, Sun operates more than 30 community banking centers across eleven New Jersey counties, as well as through commercial lending offices in Edison and Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and Manhattan, New York. Following OceanFirst’s recently completed acquisitions of Cape Bancorp, Inc. (“Cape”) and Ocean Shore Holding Co. (“Ocean Shore”), the proposed transaction will further enrich OceanFirst’s distribution, scale and core deposit funding base, presenting a unique opportunity to enhance its franchise.

OceanFirst will strengthen its position as the largest bank headquartered in central and southern New Jersey and gain greater access and proximity to more robust markets within the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. Based on financial information as of March 31, 2017, the combined institution would have approximately $7.5 billion in total assets, $5.9 billion in total deposits, $5.4 billion in gross loans and expects to operate over 60 full-service banking locations once the combination is fully integrated.

OceanFirst expects to incur one-time pre-tax merger and integration costs of approximately $46 million and to achieve cost savings of approximately 53% of Sun’s noninterest expense base.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for OceanFirst and we are very excited to welcome Sun customers and employees to the OceanFirst family. With overlapping market footprints and shared focus on the community bank business model, OceanFirst and Sun can leverage the strength of the combined company to create a premier New Jersey community banking institution,” said Christopher D. Maher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst.

Mr. Maher further commented, “We continue to capitalize on the opportunities that become available to us as we execute on our organic and strategic growth plans. This transaction allows us to gain further market share across our existing central and southern New Jersey footprint, while also supporting growth with Sun’s operations in close proximity to the key metropolitan markets of Philadelphia and New York City. Sun’s strong core deposit franchise and the significant efficiency opportunities presented by an in-market merger make this a very compelling combination. We look forward to continuing to provide extraordinary customer care to all OceanFirst and Sun customers, as well as providing enhanced value to our stockholders.”

Thomas M. O’Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun, echoed Mr. Maher’s comments stating, “We consider OceanFirst an ideal partner due to the strategic benefits a combination will provide for all Sun stakeholders. Sun shareholders will benefit from pro forma earnings per share accretion of approximately 200%, a pro forma dividend increase of over 1,000% and increased shareholder liquidity. Sun clients will enjoy enhanced product distribution capabilities and new consumer and Wealth Management products and services.” Mr. O’Brien added that “I am proud of the great strides our institution has made since 2014, and we are excited about the opportunity for Sun’s employees to continue growing by partnering with OceanFirst to create the premier community banking franchise in New Jersey.”

Piper Jaffray & Co. is serving as financial advisor to OceanFirst and rendered a fairness opinion to OceanFirst’s Board of Directors in connection with the transaction. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel to OceanFirst. Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. is serving as financial advisor to Sun and rendered a fairness opinion to Sun’s Board of Directors in connection with the transaction. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel to Sun.

ABOUT OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.

OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank, founded in 1902, is a community bank with $5.2 billion in assets and 51 branches located throughout central and southern New Jersey. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing solutions, wealth management, and deposit services and is the largest and oldest community-based financial institution headquartered in Ocean County, New Jersey.

ABOUT SUN BANCORP INC.

Sun Bancorp, Inc. is a $2.3 billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Its primary subsidiary is Sun National Bank, a community bank serving customers throughout New Jersey, and the metro New York region. Sun National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and its deposits are insured up to the legal maximum by the FDIC. For more information about Sun National Bank and Sun Bancorp, Inc., visit www.sunnationalbank.com.

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