Forvis acquires ProBank Austin

Forvis, a Top 10 Firm created by the merger in June of BKD and Dixon Hughes Goodman, made its first acquisition Monday, adding ProBank Austin, a firm that provides education, loan review, regulatory compliance, asset/liability and interest rate risk management, and capital advisory services to financial institutions, effective Oct. 1.

ProBan Austin has offices in Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Toledo, Ohio, and annual revenue of approximately $20 million. More than 50 professionals, including two managing directors, will join Forvis as part of the merger. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Forvis' annual revenue is approximately $1.5 billion and the firm has approximately 5,500 total employees and approximately 530 partners. One of its predecessor firms, BKD, was based in Springfield, Missouri, while the other, DHG, was headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

ProBank Austin emerged from its own merger. Its roots date back to 1967, but ProBank Austin was formed in 2017 after the merger of Professional Bank Services, headquartered in Louisville, and Austin Associates, based in Toledo. 

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The Forvis building in Springfield, Missouri

"ProBank Austin is a trusted advisor to the financial services industry that truly prioritizes client service," said Jerry Henderson, regional managing partner of advisory services with Forvis, in a statement. "With this addition, Forvis will augment the strength of existing service lines such as regulatory compliance, loan review, internal audit and investment banking while also expanding our capabilities in the areas of education services and financial management."

ProBank Austin's geographic footprint will fit in with Forvis' existing presence in the region, which includes seven offices in Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio.

"Joining Forvis is a step forward for us," said ProBank Austin CEO Chris Hargrove in a statement. "This move will broaden and deepen our offerings with greater resources for our clients and enhanced career opportunities for our team members. We have been in conversation with Forvis leaders over the past year and are thrilled to see this come to fruition."

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