Alert – Federal Government Shutdown

October 1, 2025

To our clients and friends:

On September 30, 2025, the federal government’s funding ran out resulting in a shutdown beginning on October 1, 2025, which will continue until Congress passes and the President signs new appropriations legislation. Some federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, are affected while others, such as federal banking regulators, will continue without (or with minimal) interruption. Our Legal Update covering certain of the impacts of the shutdown is available here.

Luse Gorman regularly advises financial institutions regarding bank regulatory and securities matters. If you have any questions about this Legal Update, please contact us. To learn more about our firm and services, please visit our website.

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Alert – SEC Permits Use of Standing Proxies

September 29, 2025

To our clients and friends:

On September 15, 2025, the SEC issued a no-action letter in response to Exxon Mobil Corporation’s request to implement a "retail shareholder voting program" whereby its retail shareholders would authorize the perpetual voting of their shares in favor of management’s recommendations. Our Legal Update, available [here], describes the requirements for— and potential ramifications of— implementing a standing proxy program. Our Legal Update also offers tips for public holding companies interested in pursuing the use of standing proxies.

Luse Gorman, PC regularly advises companies regarding corporate governance, shareholder matters and SEC developments. If you have any questions related to this Legal Update, please contact the authors. To learn more about our firm and services, please visit our website.

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Luse Gorman Serves as Legal Counsel to First Savings Financial Group, Inc. in its Proposed Merger with First Merchants Corporation

September 26, 2025

On September 25, 2025, First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (“First Savings”), the holding company for First Savings Bank, and First Merchants Corporation (“First Merchants”), the holding company for First Merchants Bank, announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which First Savings will merge with and into First Merchants and First Savings Bank will merge with and into First Merchants Bank. The all-stock transaction is valued at approximately $241.3 million.

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Luse Gorman Served as Legal Counsel to Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. in its Proposed Merger of Equals with NBC Bancorp, Inc.

September 25, 2025

On September 23, 2025, Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. (“Ballston Spa”), the holding company for Ballston Spa National Bank, and NBC Bancorp, Inc. (“NBC”), the holding company for The National Bank of Coxsackie, entered into an agreement for a merger of equals, with Ballston Spa and Ballston Spa National Bank as the surviving entities. The all-stock transaction is valued at approximately $26.0 million.

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