We are excited to announce Hometown Bancorp, Ltd, parent company of Hometown Bank, and Bank First Corporation, parent company of Bank First, have signed a Definitive Agreement to merge in the coming months. Our two organizations possess a diverse set of competencies that when combined, allow us to offer an enhanced suite of products and services to our customers while strengthening the communities we serve through volunteerism and philanthropic initiatives.

Bank First’s focus on providing innovative products and services will allow the customers of Hometown to benefit from a wide array of retail banking products and loan programs tailored to the unique needs of each individual or family.

Why did Hometown Bank decide to merge?
Merging with a strong, long-standing organization will ensure we have the resources required to meet the growing demands of a competitive marketplace and continue to deliver innovative products and services to our valued customers for years to come.

Who is Bank First?
Bank First is a relationship-based bank headquartered in Wisconsin. Through a combination of acquisitions and de novo offices, the bank has expanded to serve the financial needs of individuals, families, businesses and non-profit organizations throughout Wisconsin. Bank First’s growth has been achieved through its relationship-based model of banking. They take pride in knowing their customers on a personal level and working together to create value-based, innovative solutions. To learn more about Bank First, feel free to visit their website at bankfirst.com.

Why did Hometown Bank choose Bank First?

• Our customers will benefit from a larger branch network in Wisconsin.
• Like us, Bank First is a true relationship-based bank. They place utmost importance on getting to know customers on a personal level to help them achieve their financial goals. Bank First takes pride in being the primary bank of each customer. Doing so allows the bank to take in local deposits and reinvest those funds in the communities it serves.
• Joining Bank First will allow us to enhance our contributions to our communities. Bank First has created a culture focused on community involvement, and its employees are empowered to volunteer and give back in many ways. In 2021, Bank First contributed over $543,000 to 504 local events and non-profit organizations. Its employees donated over 8,145 hours of volunteering in the community as well. In addition to volunteerism and financial support, Bank First takes pride in using customers and local businesses as its vendors.
• Bank First values its employees as much as we value ours. The bank is committed to excellence and believes in supporting and encouraging employees to develop their careers. Bank First has been named one of the “Best Banks to Work For” in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 by American Banker magazine.
• Bank First’s size allows it to be responsive and nimble as a community bank while providing innovative products and services that rival the “big banks”. They are focused on providing innovative products and services that will allow our customers to benefit from a wide array of products tailored to the unique needs of each customer.
• Our customers will benefit from Bank First’s 49.8% ownership of UFS, LLC, a bank technology outfitter which provides digital, core, cybersecurity, managed IT, and cloud services to banks in the Midwest. Bank First’s relationship with UFS creates opportunities to access the latest advancements in banking technology at a faster rate than its peers.

Why did Bank First choose Hometown Bank?

• The merger brings together two strong, culturally aligned organizations focused on relationship banking.
• The merger aligns with Bank First’s strategy to grow within specific markets in the State of Wisconsin. Bank First will be completing its merger with Denmark State Bank on August 12, which expands their footprint in northeastern Wisconsin. Merging with Hometown Bank increases their footprint in central Wisconsin as well.
• Like Bank First, Hometown Bank’s commitment to relationship-based banking is evidenced by the strong character and integrity of our customers.
• We have a strong team of bankers who are deeply committed to the communities we serve and share similar values with the Bank First team. Tim McFarlane, President & CEO of Hometown, will be joining Bank First as President upon close of the merger.

What can you expect next? 
You can expect to see no change in the high-quality, personalized level of care and service you currently receive. We anticipate closing to occur no later than February 10, 2023, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals. As the merger approaches, you will receive detailed communication including a comprehensive timeline of events, important account changes, information on Bank First’s products and services, contact information for questions and concerns and frequently asked questions.

We are confident the merger of Hometown Bank with Bank First will allow us to better meet the needs of our customers, shareholders and communities.