The Challenge
Three community banks merging into a unified institution. Different technology platforms, cultures, product sets, and operating models. The board needed a single integrated bank within 18 months while retaining 95% of combined deposits.
Our Approach
We led the integration management office (IMO), coordinating 14 workstreams across technology, operations, branch network, product rationalization, and culture. Key decisions: single core banking platform (selected via structured evaluation), branch consolidation strategy (18 closures, 4 new locations), and unified brand launch.
Results
- Integration completed in 16 months (ahead of schedule)
- 97.2% deposit retention (exceeded target)
- $18M in annual cost synergies captured
- Single technology platform live across all branches
- Employee retention 91% through integration period