MetroCity Bankshares Sees Trading Surge Following Major Acquisition

MetroCity Bankshares US59165J1051

Shares of MetroCity Bankshares experienced a significant spike in trading activity this week, driven by investor reaction to the company's largest-ever acquisition. The transaction, which was finalized earlier this month, propelled trading volume on December 19 to nearly triple the daily average.

The surge follows the December 1, 2025, completion of MetroCity Bankshares' strategic acquisition of First IC Corporation. This move has substantially reshaped the bank's financial profile and geographic footprint. The combined entity now operates a network of 30 branch locations and two loan production offices across eight U.S. states, including Georgia, Texas, and New York.

On December 19, share volume reached 123,991, far exceeding the average daily volume of approximately 47,531 shares. The equity is currently trading above its 200-day moving average of $27.86, with its price fluctuating between $28.64 and $29.02 during that session.

Post-Merger Financial Snapshot

The merger creates a substantially larger institution with the following key financial metrics:

• Total Consolidated Assets: Approximately $4.8 billion
• Total Loan Portfolio: $4.0 billion
• Total Deposits: $3.6 billion
• Annual Dividend Per Share: $1.00
• Current Dividend Yield: 3.50%

Following the issuance of over 3.3 million new shares to former First IC shareholders, the company's market capitalization stands at roughly $830.83 million.

Analyst Outlook and Integration Focus

In response to the new pro-forma structure, analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods have adjusted their assessment, issuing a price target of $31.00 per share. They anticipate that the merger will lead to improved earnings, partly through a more favorable efficiency ratio. The current consensus rating among tracked analysts remains "Hold."

The bank's performance metrics prior to the deal included a third-quarter efficiency ratio of 38.7% and a return on equity of 15.69%.

The extraordinary volume is widely interpreted as a sign of institutional investors repositioning their holdings as MetroCity Bankshares begins its first full month as a combined company. Market observers note that the bank's future performance will largely depend on its ability to successfully capture the anticipated cost and revenue synergies from this transformative acquisition.