Great Southern completes purchase of St. Louis branches

Great Southern Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: GSBC) today filed a form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating the company finalized its purchase of Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank’s St. Louis branches, deposits and loans.

The action, completed Jan. 29, more than doubles Great Southern’s presence in its second-largest market, according to the filing.

In September, the Springfield holding company of Great Southern Bank agreed to buy 12 branches and assume roughly $228 million in deposits and $159 million in loans. The acquisition brings Great Southern’s presence in the market to 20 branches with $489 million in deposits and $556 million in loans.

Last June, Fifth Third Bank announced it would sell roughly 100 branches to slim down its operations in response to customer demographics.

Great Southern last month reported 2015 earnings of $45.9 million, or $3.28 per share, representing a roughly 7 percent boost from $43 million, or $3.10 per share, in 2014.

GSBC shares were trading at $38.54 as of 10:30 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $36.04 to $52.94.