Central Bancompany raises $373M in Nasdaq debut

Jefferson City-based Central Bancompany Inc. is now trading on the Nasdaq following its initial public offering on the stock market index.

Central Bancompany’s IPO was priced on Nov. 19 and began trading on Nov. 20, said Charlie Martin, the company’s corporate development officer. With shares priced at $21 apiece, the IPO sold nearly 17.8 million shares for gross proceeds of $373.3 million, Martin said, noting underwriters additionally have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 2.7 million shares.

The sale values the company at roughly $5 billion.

The company that does business as The Central Trust Bank operates a dozen Springfield branches. Prior to the Nasdaq debut, Central Bancompany’s shares traded on the over-the-counter market since 2001.

Growth mindset
Central Bancompany may explore acquisitions with the benefit of the excess capital raised in the IPO, Martin said. He noted the company has completed 47 acquisitions in the past 52 years.

“We believe this experience, combined with a compelling partner proposition and our significant excess capital, will position us well to take advantage of the substantially improved bank M&A landscape, with a public currency being the only currently missing ingredient,” Martin said via email.

Bryan Cook, executive chair of Central Bancompany, was among company officials that rang the Nasdaq opening bell on Nov. 20.

“Today, we celebrate more than a listing. We honor a legacy built on trust, innovation and community,” Cook said in remarks prior to the ringing of the bell. “From my great-grandfather’s vision in 1902 to now, Central Bancompany has thrived by staying true to its values and embracing change.”

Martin said Central Bancompany chose the Nasdaq after conducting due diligence on the major exchanges.

“The experience was an exciting milestone for us and reflects our long-term strength and stability and our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve,” he said. “Our commitment to legendary customer service remains our top priority. This move supports our ability to keep delivering the personal experiences that Central Bank is known for.”

According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing in October, Central Bancompany had 156 branches, $19.1 billion in assets and $14.8 billion in deposits as of June 30. The filing additionally lists net income of $186.2 million for the first six months of 2025, compared with $171.3 million in the same period of 2024. The company expects to release its first earnings report as a Nasdaq-listed company in late January, Martin said.

CBC shares closed Nov. 25 at $24.16, compared with a 52-week range of $22.55 to $25 per share.