Holland & Knight Advises Sabal Trust Company in Pending Sale to Hancock Whitney Bank

ATLANTA (January 23, 2025) – Holland & Knight advised Sabal Trust Company in its sale to Hancock Whitney Bank, a regional bank offering traditional and online banking and a wholly owned bank subsidiary of Hancock Whitney Corporation (Nasdaq: HWC). The deal was announced on January 21 and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2025.

This acquisition will strengthen Hancock Whitney's wealth and asset management business, particularly in the high-growth Florida markets of Tampa and Orlando. It will also expand Hancock Whitney's market share and help grow its fee income, private banking, wholesale banking and retail services.

Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Sabal Trust Company is the largest independent, employee-owned non-depository trust company in Florida.

Holland & Knight's representation of Sabal Trust Company was led by Partners Ashley Plemons, Adam August, Andrew Erickson and Kevin Houlihan and Associate Kelsey Parker (M&A). They were assisted by Partner Gary Schoenbrun and Associate Jiyeon Barta (Tax) and Partner Victoria Zerjav and Associate Rachel Long (Executive Compensation & Benefits).

More information on the transaction can be found here.

Recently recognized as the Private Equity Law Firm of the Year by the Global M&A Network, Holland & Knight regularly ranks among the leading M&A and private equity law firms in reputable, benchmarking league tables published by Bloomberg, LSEG, Mergermarket, PitchBook and The Deal. Through the HK Deal Flow℠ program, Holland & Knight facilitates deal leads for clients and prospective clients by matching acquisition or capital raising opportunities with buyers and investors.