Bank of Wedowee’s (Wedowee, AL ) sale to First Bank of Alabama (Talladega, AL) was completed this week. The combined institution has approximately $540 million in total assets through six banking locations in east Alabama. Principals of Porter White & Company, acting as registered representatives of Spearhead Capital, LLC, served as exclusive financial advisor to… Read More >
News & Insights
Municipal Market Update – August 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of August 31, 2017. Figure 1: Local Bond Yields Click here to access our Municipal… Read More >
The Bank Shot – August 2017
In This Issue In “Up, Up and Away…Bank M&A Scorecard June 30, 2017,” we discuss how M&A activity and pricing so far in 2017 is noticeably up compared to 2016. In “The Ol’ Pea Under the Shell Game,” former Alabama Speaker Pro Tempore and guest author Bobby Tom Crowe discusses money laundering in part one… Read More >
Michael Stone Promoted to Vice President
Porter White & Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Michael Stone to Vice President. Michael joined the firm in January 2011 and is active in the investment banking practice, focusing on mergers and acquisitions (buy-side and sell-side), capital raising, municipal advisory, strategic consulting, business valuations, and distressed situations. Michael earned his BS in… Read More >
Municipal Market Update – July 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of July 31, 2017. Figure 1: Municipal General Obligation Yield Curves Click here to access… Read More >
Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund
Each year around the end of March, I spend at least half a day tracking down my charitable contribution receipts in the hope of increasing my tax refund with a charitable deduction. There are plenty of tools to help me keep track of the donations, but inevitably I find myself hunting through stacks of paper… Read More >
Q1 Economic Report Featured in BBJ
Porter White & Company (PWCo) releases its Birmingham Area Economic Report every quarter. The report highlights various economic trends impacting the Birmingham-MSA, the state of Alabama, and comparable cities across the southeast. In the Q1 2017 Economic Report, PWCo highlighted the fact that Birmingham’s economy is growing but continues to lag other comparable southeastern metros…. Read More >
Birmingham Area Economic Report, Q1 2017
This report explores a few key statistics that paint a picture of the Birmingham area economy. The Porter, White & Company Birmingham Area Economic Report, published quarterly, places the Birmingham area economy in a state, regional and national context. Click here to download the full report with a more in-depth look at the statistics. The… Read More >
PWCo’s Jim White Featured in ABA Board Briefs
The Alabama Bankers Association included several expert sources in their May / June 2017 edition of Board Briefs. Contributors shared perspectives on commercial real estate, historic tax credits, financial regulatory reform and many additional topics relevant to the banking sector. Jim White, chairman of Porter White & Company, was one of the contributors included in… Read More >
Municipal Market Update – June 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of June 30, 2017. Figure 1: Municipal General Obligation Yield Curves Click here to… Read More >
Econ Report Cited in BBJ
In recent months, analysts and writers have shared reports highlighting job growth trends in the U.S. Some national reports show encouraging statistics. That said, certain states are still trying to catch up to the national economy. In a recent article featured in the Birmingham Business Journal, Neal Wade, director of the University of Alabama’s Economic… Read More >
Municipal Market Update – May 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of May 31, 2017. Figure 1: Municipal General Obligation Yield Curves Click here to… Read More >
Bank of Wedowee Advised by PW&Co in Sale to First Bank of Alabama
Talladega, AL – FirstBanc of Alabama, Inc. of Talladega, AL and Swann Bancshares, Inc. of Wedowee, AL announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for FirstBanc, the parent company of First Bank of Alabama, to acquire Swann and its wholly-owned subsidiary Bank of Wedowee in an all-cash transaction. Principals of Porter White & Company,… Read More >
Stone Offers Thoughts on Startups Raising Capital
Businesses that want to grow and expand must raise capital to fund their goals. For startups, the fundraising process can be extremely challenging. Recently, the Birmingham Business Journal examined fundraising trends for startups in Birmingham and invited several investment banking experts to share their insights in a cover story entitled, “Funding deals grow for Birmingham… Read More >
Municipal Market Update – April 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of April 30, 2017. Figure 1: Municipal General Obligation Yield Curves Click here to… Read More >
PW&Co Completes Sale of Nutec Metal Finishing
PW&Co served as the sell-side advisor to Nutec Metal Finishing (“Company”), an Alabama-based metal plating Company, on its sale to a confidential buyer. PW&Co’s investment banking team was led by Michael Stone and Kip Porter. The Company offers zinc electroplating, mechanical galvanizing/plating, and custom metal finishes. PW&Co performed due diligence on the Company and prepared… Read More >
Municipal Market Update – March 2017
Our Municipal Market Update is data-driven, one page sheet that is intended to give you an overview of key interest rates – both floating and swap-to-fixed as well as the credit spreads of key local and state entities with data as of March 31, 2017. Figure 1: Municipal General Obligation Yield Curves Click here to… Read More >
Estimating Bond Returns
Many people find the performance of bonds, and particularly bond funds, confusing. We know that if we buy a bond for $100 that matures in 5 years and pays a $5 coupon (or 5% yield), then we will earn 5% if we hold that bond to maturity. (I am assuming that the bond does not… Read More >
