M&T may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of People’s United and integrating People’s United may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected.
In connection with the acquisition of People’s United that was completed on April 1, 2022, M&T has incurred and may further incur costs as M&T continues to integrate the People’s United business. The success of the acquisition depends, in part, on the ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from combining the businesses of M&T and People’s United. To realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from the acquisition, M&T must integrate and combine People’s United’s businesses in a manner that permits cost savings to be realized, without adversely affecting revenues and future growth. If M&T is not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the acquisition could be less than anticipated.
There can be no assurances that the expected benefits and efficiencies related to the acquisition will be realized to offset the transaction and integration costs over time. M&T may also incur additional costs to retain legacy People’s United customers, maintain employee morale and to retain key employees. M&T has waived certain fees following conversion of customer deposit accounts to M&T’s deposit servicing system, and similar or other costs related to integration of People's United or operations as a combined company may be incurred in the future.
It is possible that challenges related to operating as a combined company could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect M&T’s abilities to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the acquisition. An inability to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition could have an adverse effect upon the revenues, levels of expenses and operating results of M&T, which may adversely affect the value of M&T’s common stock.
M&T may be unable to retain personnel successfully.
The success of the acquisition will depend in part on the Company’s ability to retain the talents and dedication of key employees. It is possible that these employees, including key legacy People’s United employees, may decide not to remain with the Company. If the Company is unable to retain key employees, including management, who are critical to the successful future operations of the combined company, the Company could face disruptions in its operations, loss of existing customers, loss of key information, expertise or know-how and unanticipated additional recruitment costs. If key employees terminate their employment, the Company’s business activities may be adversely affected and the Company may not be able to locate or retain suitable replacements.
Litigation related to the acquisition has been filed in the past and additional litigation may be filed in the future, which could result in the payment of damages or otherwise negatively impact the business and operations of the Company.
Although not currently active, litigation related to the acquisition was filed against People’s United, the People’s United board of directors and M&T prior to the completion of the acquisition. Additional litigation may be filed against M&T and the M&T board of directors in the future. Among other remedies, litigation that was filed sought damages, and additional litigation by shareholders of M&T in the future may seek damages or other remedies. The outcome of any litigation is uncertain. Such lawsuits and the defense or settlement of any such lawsuits may have an adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of M&T.