The total capital of National Bank of America No. 1 has a total capital of US$636 million and the deposit amount absorbed is US$61.76 million. According to this proportion, the net assets of this bank are US$11.86 million. This is very good among small banks. Moreover, David's family has run this bank for 150 years and has four generations. Although it is still mainly based on traditional banking business, most of the customers it faces are community residents and some small and medium-sized enterprises, but the foundation of this bank is still good.

Of course, the net assets owned by banks cannot be equated with David's value. After a century of evolution, the current share structure of National Bank No. 1 in the United States is relatively complex. Of course, the David family owns the most shares, with a total of about 3%. The 3% of the remaining part is in the hands of more than a dozen shareholders, and the final part is held by the state government, investors, and small shareholders respectively.

According to this calculation, David is not a billionaire, he can only be said to be a banker and a millionaire in a family bank. Moreover, in this equity structure, although David is in charge of National Bank No. 1 and is the chairman of this bank, he does not have absolute control rights. To put it bluntly, it is similar to the role of a nominal chairman and CPO.

The comparison of strength between the two parties is like two boxers of different levels, one of which is destined to fail. David could not stop Wells Fargo's merger and acquisition of the No. 1 National Bank of America because its opponents are too strong. With Wells Fargo's financial resources and status, David imagined that profit-oriented shareholders would be eager to transfer their shares to each other, not to mention investors and small shareholders, everything is meaningless before interests. Even the 15% scoop of shares held by the state government is not difficult to fall into Wells Fargo. In this way, Wells Fargo will overwhelm David with its advantage in terms of share ratio, thereby obtaining ownership of the bank from him.

Although the US state governments have some legal protections for small banks. Don’t forget that everything in capitalist society is mainly capital. As long as Wells Fargo promises not to fully merge the US National Bank into Wells Fargo to maintain its operating independence, the government will not prevent the other party’s merger and acquisition. Even from the court’s perspective, the judges only think that this is a normal business procedure for the controlling party of a small bank to change. As for the efforts and efforts made by the David family in it, who can care?

In just over a dozen minutes, David grew older. This was not aging in his mentality. Even his appearance looked like a real old man.

After a long time, David picked up the phone and called Miss Doris in.

"Notify the shareholders and convene the board of directors." David's voice was extremely disappointed, and he ordered.

"David, maybe we have a way..." Miss Doris couldn't help comforting her when she saw David's in dismay.

David shook his head and sighed, "There is no way, unless I increase the shares to 6 in a short period of time, but Doris, do you think this is possible?"

Miss Doris was speechless, which was obviously impossible. To increase David's current shares to an absolute controlling stake of 6, a large amount of funds would be paid for counter-acquisition, and the funds were not issued by the bank, but by David himself.

Although David is a rich man, he cannot afford such a huge sum of money. What's more, once the news of Wells Fargo's merger and acquisition spreads, shareholders who own shares will definitely wait for a price, and the funds they invest will be even more huge. Compared with Wells Fargo, David has no such idea at all. I'm afraid he can't win the game even if he invests all his money in it. He may even lead to personal bankruptcy because of this decision. David is a banker and knows this very well. He will never suppress the interests of his family on this doomed gambling table.

In the afternoon of the same day, news about Wells Fargo's acquisition of the No. 1 National Bank spread. Unlike the frustrated David, the shareholders who heard the news were all full of energy. As shareholders of a small bank, these people are basically millionaires. Although they have worked together for so many years, a large number of them have good personal relationships with David. But in Western countries, business is business, and under the premise of interests, private friendships have to stand aside. This is the cruelty of capital.

Although David has always been in his position, the No. 1 National Bank of America has a stable return among small banks, and there is even a possibility of impacting large banks for a period of time. However, small banks are small banks, and their capital and scale cannot be compared with large banks at all. Moreover, with the deepening of international economic integration, the stress resistance of small banks is becoming weaker and weaker. No one knows whether the No. 1 National Bank of America will collapse in a financial turmoil.

Compared with this situation, transferring shares to Wells Fargo, which can afford the price, may be the best opportunity these shareholders dream of. Looking at the faces and listening to them discussing what price Wells Fargo would offer to acquire their shares, David felt that his heart was broken.

After everyone was all here, the interim board of directors began to be held. Although David was very reluctant, he still read the content of the fax he received in the morning to everyone. As soon as he finished speaking, a director sitting on his left could not wait to ask David about the authenticity of the fax.

This director is David's old friend, and it can be said that he was a family friend of the Bucks family. Johnny's father was David's father's partner and served as vice president of the No. 1 National Bank for 3 years. Johnny, who was 2 years younger than David, inherited his estate after his father's death, and of course, it also included shares in the bank, thus joining the board of directors to become a director.

Johnny's shares are second only to David in the board of directors, accounting for about 0, and are also the second largest shareholder of the board of directors. But unlike David who inherited his father's generation, Johnny is a complete playboy. In his eyes, except for beauties and wine, only the charm of money makes him interested in chasing.

David believed that if Johnny's father had not stated in his will that the shares he held would not be sold without authorization, I'm afraid the old playboy would have sold the shares long ago to money. Even so, Johnny had complained about his father's will provisions in front of him. At this time, David even felt that he should not invest a sum of money in the bank to expand his business last year, but he bought Johnny's shares at that time. You should know that Johnny's father's will stated that Johnny was not allowed to sell them without authorization, but also stipulated that it was OK if the Bucks repurchased. If he had purchased Johnny's shares at the beginning, David would now have more than 4 shares. Perhaps it would be possible to gain absolute controlling rights after working hard. In this case, even if Wells Fargo issued a condition, as long as David did not nod, the other party would have no choice.

Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world. David sighed so secretly in his heart, and then nodded to Miss Doris who was sitting on the side recording.

Miss Doris immediately stood up and explained to the directors the confirmation of the fax in her always clear and neat tone. According to what she said, after receiving the fax, Mr. David, Chairman, asked her to confirm the authenticity of the fax, and could clearly tell everyone that the news of Wells Fargo's acquisition of the No. 1 National Bank of America has been confirmed.

"What a good news." Johnny smiled after hearing this, and whistled regardless of the occasion. At this time, he was already thinking about how big chips Wells Fargo could offer to acquire the shares in his hands, and even considered how to spend it after selling the shares and getting the money. By the way, his yacht seemed a little smaller. Should he change it to a bigger and newer one? In addition, he had always been interested in a pure blood foal because he didn't want to buy it. Now he can finally buy it. Maybe after training it carefully, he can also bring unexpected honors and bonuses to himself.

People who were almost the same as Johnny was in this conference room, with many people smiling on their faces. Of course, a very small number of people were silently pondering in shock, and they didn't know what they were thinking.

"Have Fuguo proposed a specific acquisition plan?" At this time, another director asked.

As soon as he asked this, most of them raised their ears and looked at David intently.

David shook his head and said, "It's not that fast yet. According to Wells Fargo's reply, they will send someone to discuss in the near future. It should be these few days."

After hearing this reply, the person who asked was relieved, which meant that Wells Fargo attaches great importance to this merger and acquisition, so that the shares they had could be sold at a good price. The same is true for those who thought the same as him, and a smile appeared on their faces.

This time, the board of directors may be the shortest time that David took over the board of directors held by National Bank No. 1. After the announcement of this matter, the board of directors and shareholders who left happily, David did not get up and leave immediately, but still sat in his position and watched the scene silently.

Perhaps, by the next board of directors, I will no longer be the chairman, and the No. 1 National Bank of America will no longer belong to the Bucks family's industry. I have been doing this bank all my life. When the curtain finally fell, David felt his heart empty.

"David"

Just as David was stunned, a voice sounded in his ears. When he looked up, he saw his old friend Leo standing aside with a serious expression, and there were two shareholders behind him.

"Leo." David stood up and asked with confusion: "Is there anything you have?"

"David, as an old friend, I know what the National Bank of America means to you. Although Wells Fargo is powerful, it can't do whatever it wants. I don't care what others think about it, at least I want to tell you that I will stand on your side."

"And I'm there"

"And I, David"

The other two shareholders said firmly, looking at their concerned expressions and solemn promises, David's eyes gradually became wet.

"Thank you, Leo, thank you... Thank you," David said with a choked voice: "In the most difficult time, I feel that I am enough with your support. However, I am old and no longer have the ambitions I used to be. If I had gone back two years, maybe I would..."

Speaking of this, David shook his head. Leo hurriedly said, "David, are you willing to fail? We still have a chance to join forces and convince the state government to manage the shares belonging to the state government by the board of directors. Then our shareholding ratio will be greatly increased. We can convince some small shareholders to let them stand on our side..."

"No need..." David waved his hand and rejected their kindness. In fact, he had considered what Leo proposed, but after careful analysis, even if he did so, he would have a very slim chance of winning. Moreover, doing so might cause the US National Bank to fall into an unexpected abyss, causing this small bank, which is already small, to have extremely serious consequences. At that time, there might not be any need for Wells Fargo to acquire it, and US National Bank itself would not be able to support it. As a member of the Buck family, David has deeper feelings for the bank than anyone else. He absolutely does not want his bank to end history. Even if it changes a master, he hopes that the US National Bank can continue.

With disappointment and confusion, Leo and the others left the conference room. David looked at their departure for a long time, but he didn't know how long it took. It was not until Miss Doris reminded him that he dragged his heavy steps back to his office.

A few days later, Wells Fargo's team came to the headquarters of National Bank of America and met with David. As David expected in advance, Wells Fargo was well prepared before officially notifying the merger and acquisition. Wells Fargo had obtained 15% of its shares through the state government, becoming the second largest shareholder on the board of directors after David. In addition, through private acquisitions of some small shareholders, Wells Fargo had as much as 2 shares, which is enough to prove David's judgment.

Now, Wells Fargo has proposed a very generous condition to David, which is to directly acquire 3% of the shares held by David to complete the absolute controlling stake. For this reason, Wells Fargo reserved the remaining 0 shares for David and promised David to continue to stay on the board of directors and even serve as honorary chairman. As for the offer to acquire 3% of the shares, Wells Fargo proposed an almost unacceptable price. Faced with the huge temptation of this amount, David couldn't help but be stunned.

"Can I ask a few questions?" David asked after a while.

"Of course, please." Wells Fargo sent a man who was about 3 years old and was obviously smarter than he could. The other party looked very respectful to an old banking senior like David.

David stretched out his first finger and asked: "Will Wells Fargo continue to retain the name of this bank after acquiring National Bank of America?"

The other party smiled and nodded: "This is inevitable. As the acquirer, we like this name very much, and of course we will continue to use it."

David's expression remained the same and continued to stretch out his second finger: "Will Wells Fargo make major adjustments to the bank? Especially using capital increase means to change the bank's structure?"

"That's it." The other party thought about it and replied: "Adjustment is inevitable. To be honest, although National Bank of America has done a good job as a small bank, it has low risk resistance after all, and traditional banking business is a bit out of date for the current development of the world banking industry. Of course, how to adjust it depends on the actual situation, but I can guarantee that no matter how it adjusts, it will not affect the interests of shareholders and depositors, and traditional business will also occupy an important position in the new National Bank of America. All we do is supplement and strengthen, not split."

"This answer is good." David nodded and said, "So the last question, how do you consider the existing employees?"

Hearing this question, the other party smiled: "I understand what you mean. Please rest assured that we will still retain the vast majority of employees. Moreover, we acquired National Bank No. 1 to make it bigger and stronger, not to end its business. Therefore, in the future, the positions in the bank will only increase but not decrease."

David breathed a sigh of relief. The other party's confession made him feel much more relaxed, and he had to admit that Wells Fargo was very concerned about this merger and acquisition and was considerate.

"I have no problem, but I refuse to sell my shares." David replied with a smile. The other party was very happy after hearing the first half, but when he heard the second half, he was stunned and looked at David in disbelief.

"Mr. Buck, you...?"

David waved his hand and said in a calm tone: "Don't worry, I did not refuse Wells Fargo's merger, but refused to sell my shares. You should know that the Buck family has spent several generations of hard work in this bank. As a member of the Buck family, I will not abandon the industry left to me by my ancestors for money. I retained the shares to see if the No. 1 National Bank of America after being acquired can rejuvenate in your hands. Maybe by that day, I will officially retire, which is also considered a stubborn opinion of an old man."

The other party was silent for a while, and finally stood up and said solemnly: "I think I understand what you mean. Mr. Buck. I can report your request to the headquarters, and I think the headquarters will agree. However, I hope that the acquisition of shares of other shareholders will go smoothly in the merger and acquisition. Can Mr. Buck?"

David nodded after thinking about it, which was considered as accustomed to the other party’s proposal, because what’s the use of him stopping it at this time?
Chapter completed!