Hawthorn Bancshares clears final regulatory hurdles for FSC Bancshares deal, eyes Q3 2026 close
HWBK sits 37% above its 52-week low of $28.1.
Summary
Hawthorn Bancshares has received all regulatory approvals for its acquisition of FSC Bancshares, with closing expected in Q3 2026 pending FSC shareholder approval.
Key Events · M&A and Partnerships · HWBK
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Regulatory Approvals Secured
As of July 10, 2026, all required regulatory approvals and non-objections have been obtained by Hawthorn Bancshares and its subsidiary Hawthorn Bank, clearing the path to complete the acquisition of FSC Bancshares.
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Deal Closing Timeline
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to FSC Bancshares shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions.
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Acquisition Background
Originally announced on April 29, 2026, the $28.3 million cash-and-stock acquisition of FSC Bancshares was detailed in an S-4 filing on June 26, 2026.
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Next Milestone
The final major condition is a vote by FSC Bancshares shareholders; the proxy statement/prospectus has been filed and will be mailed to them.
Analysis · HWBK · Finance
With all required regulatory approvals and non-objections secured as of July 10, the last major obstacle to Hawthorn Bancshares' $28.3 million acquisition of FSC Bancshares has been removed. The deal, first announced in April, now hinges solely on a vote by FSC shareholders. Management expects to close in the third quarter of 2026, giving a concrete timeline for the combination. This milestone eliminates a key uncertainty and allows integration planning to move forward in earnest.
At the time of this filing, HWBK was trading at $38.50 on NASDAQ in the Finance sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $265.5M. The 52-week trading range was $28.10 to $40.36. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 7 out of 10.