Merger trend hits Indiana as law firms seek fast growth
Indianapolis is finally jumping in a big way into the merger mania that’s sweeping the legal profession.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Articles
Sign Craft experiences record growth
While many central Indiana manufacturers are feeling the pinch of the downturned economy, locally based Sign Craft Industries
Inc. is posting record growth this year and projecting another robust year in 2009.
Despite sour economy, retail developers press on
Retail developers always have been an audacious breed. They spend millions to build shopping centers, confident that tenants will flock to fill the slots they didn’t prelease. To charge ahead these days takes more than the usual dose of intestinal fortitude. Everyone is nervous — from shoppers to lenders to retailers, many of which have […]
Southwest swoops in to benefit from ATA Airlines’ bankruptcy
Southwest is striking a deal to acquire ATA’s valuable landing slots at LaGuardia
and most of the dying airlines’ remaining assets for $7.5 million.
Shepherd lengthens its reach by merging with other charities
Shepherd Community Inc., a Christian-based organization serving the near-east side, is pulling other charities into its fold
at a pace not often seen in the local not-for-profit sector.
Greensfork Township State Bank to acquire local startup that failed to live up to high hopes
A rural Indiana bank that specializes in farm lending has agreed to buy Symphony Bank for less than the ambitious startup
spent to build its extravagant branch on 96th Street.
Siegel’s NASCAR future in doubt after merger
Chip Ganassi’s NASCAR team is teaming with Dale Earnhardt Inc. where Max Siegel has served as president of global operations
since early 2007, and the former Baker & Daniels attorney may be among many laid off in the merger.
Hospitals seek mergers to save costs
Marion County hospital systems anticipate more mergers, possibly with each other.
Aztar Casino license transfer considered
Eldorado Resorts LLC, a Nevada company, has a long-running bid to take over Casino Aztar in Evansville, and the bid now appears
to be heading for approval by state regulators.
California’s Blue Real Estate establishes local presence
Blue Real Estate, a California firm that made a bundle selling West Coast office buildings at the market’s peak, has been
buying up local buildings and trying to learn the Indianapolis market.
Indiana CEOs are cautious during financial mayhem
CEOs with Simon Property, Duke Realty Corp. and Interactive Intelligence Inc. report that their companies are taking an uncharacteristically
cautious approach to acquisitions and investments, given the faltering economy.
Vista Graphic buys Centennial Press for its direct-mail services
An Indianapolis company that specializes in printing, packaging and dimensional mail has bought a cross-town direct-mail firm
to broaden its services.
Bailout helping PNC take over NatCity
After a 17-year run in Indianapolis, National City’s trademark green signs are set to be replaced with the blue of Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial. The $5.6 billion deal raises questions about the government’s growing involvement in banking.
OneAmerica well positioned to acquire other insurance companies
OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. has made no secret of its desire to acquire other companies. Well, if it wants to buy,
it could hardly find a better time.
Safeco weighs downtown exit; owners of insurer’s building market space
Insurance giant Safeco Corp. is expected to either vacate or scale back its downtown operation next year–a move that could
deal a major blow to the office market. At stake are about 700 downtown jobs, some or all of which could be eliminated or
shifted to the suburbs. A final decision about the fate of Safeco’s five-building downtown office complex likely will come
after Boston-based Liberty Mutual completes its $6.2 billion acquisition of Seattle-based Safeco.
Car makers turn up pressure for bigger, but fewer, stores
Domestic automakers were already scheming about new ways to chop dealers–cutting costs to service them–as their market share
drained to Toyota and other foreign competitors. Now, an economy standing on the brakes could drive another round of dealer
consolidations that might not be a good deal for family-owned peddlers of metal.
First Indiana sells bank
Indiana’s largest locally based bank, First Indiana Corp., decided to end 92 years of independence in 2007, agreeing in July
to sell itself to Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley Corp. for $529 million in cash, or $32 a share.
eGix buyout sets up Bell battle
The fiercely competitive local telecommunications landscape should get even more heated, following Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s
$18 million acquisition of Carmel-based eGix Inc. eGix provides bundled voice and data services, as well as high-speed Internet
access and messaging products, to about 17,000 commercial customers.
First Indiana Bank’s sale timing paid off
First Indiana Corp.’s announcement that it would be sold to Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley Corp. for $529 million in cash
came just 17 days after sale discussions began. Banking observers have speculated for weeks that First Indiana acted fast
to cut a deal before it would have to report second-quarter results.
CEOs’ friendship helped pave M&I’s way for First Indiana buyout
If First Indiana Corp. was looking to pull off a sale quickly, Milwaukee-based Marshall & Ilsley Corp. was a natural place
to turn. First Indiana CEO Robert B. Warrington had been doing deals with the bank since he took the helm from Marni McKinney
in 2006. Warrington also is a friend and golfing buddy of M&I CEO Mark Furlong.