Hancock Whitney Corporation announced Friday it will acquire OFB Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of One Florida Bank, in an all-cash deal [1].
The acquisition allows the Mississippi-based bank to enter the Orlando market, a region identified by the company as a primary target for long-term growth in Florida [2].
The agreement, announced on May 15, 2026 [3], establishes a definitive path for Hancock Whitney to scale its operations in the Southeast. The transaction is expected to close within 2026 [4].
By purchasing OFB Bancshares, Hancock Whitney gains immediate access to an established customer base and infrastructure in Orlando. This move is designed to integrate the target bank's regional expertise with the acquiring firm's larger capital resources, a strategy aimed at capturing a share of the city's rapid economic expansion [2].
"This transaction represents a significant step in our long‑term growth strategy, expanding our footprint into one of the most dynamic and high‑growth markets in the country," a Hancock Whitney Bank spokesperson said [5].
The deal follows a broader trend of regional bank consolidation as firms seek to increase their geographic diversity to mitigate local economic risks. While the specific financial terms of the all-cash agreement were not detailed in the initial announcement, the move signals a commitment to aggressive expansion in the U.S. Sun Belt [1], [6].
One Florida Bank currently operates as a key financial provider in the Orlando area, and its integration into the Hancock Whitney network will likely shift the competitive landscape for mid-sized lenders in Central Florida [2], [5].
“Hancock Whitney announced Friday it will acquire OFB Bancshares, Inc. in an all-cash deal.”
This acquisition reflects a strategic pivot by Hancock Whitney to capitalize on the migration of wealth and business activity toward Florida. By acquiring a localized entity like One Florida Bank rather than building branches from the ground up, the company reduces the time to market and avoids the friction of establishing a new brand in a competitive, high-growth urban center.
