Kroll Bond Rating Agency views Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp's proposed acquisition of Chicago-based MB Financial Inc. as favorable to creditors of both companies.
According to the rating agency, the deal's above-average purchase price of $4.7 billion is justified given the quality of MB Financial's franchise, financial performance and condition.
The deal will materially strengthen Fifth Third's Chicago market deposit share and is projected to provide a "meaningful" amount of cost savings, according to Kroll. Moreover, the combined institution's product offerings and customer base should benefit from MB Financial's "attractive" middle-market commercial lending and leasing businesses, the rating agency said.
