Buckeye State Bank has acquired First City Bank, a family-owned community bank.

The purchase allows Buckeye to expand its market presence to the Upper Arlington and Grandview markets.

Shawn Keller, Buckeye CEO, said, “As an employee-owned community bank, we believe this is a rare opportunity to acquire a like-minded financial institution for the benefit of our communities and our shareholders. Along with Buckeye’s employees, First City’s employees commit to serving their community by taking local deposits and lending them to local consumers and businesses. We are very excited about blending our two teams to bring Buckeye State Bank’s style of local banking to the Upper Arlington and Grandview markets.”

Performance Trust acted as financial advisor, and Dinsmore & Shohl LLP served as legal counsel to Buckeye. Keller and Company acted as financial advisor, and Becker & Lilly acted as legal counsel to First City.