MINNEAPOLIS (March 1, 2018) – In February, Minneapolis-based law firm Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., acted as legal counsel and successfully advised the parent companies of Venture Bank and Signature Bank, two long-time, community banking clients, through sale transactions.  Both banks were chartered by the firm, in 2001 and 2002, respectively, and Winthrop & Weinstine has acted as legal counsel throughout the banks’ existence.

Venture Bank, the fast-growing and largest independent small business lender in the Twin Cities, announced on Feb. 19, 2018, that it would be acquired by Choice Financial Group of Fargo, N.D. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

Winthrop & Weinstine also represented Signature Bancshares, the parent company of Signature Bank, in its merger with Heartland Financial USA Inc., originally announced in November 2017.  The transaction closed and became final on Feb. 23, 2018, when Signature Bank officially merged into Heartland’s Minnesota Bank & Trust operation.

“We’re thrilled with the outcomes for both Venture and Signature. It has been our privilege to represent both of these community bank organizations for so many years, and we are proud to have guided them from initial charter, through their growth, and to sale,” said Edward J. Drenttel, shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine.

“Our team places an extremely high value on our relationships with our clients, and being advocates for them and the communities they serve. We work diligently for our clients, and are by their side at every stage of their business,” said Anton J Moch, shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine.