New England Bank Merger Expands Mortgage and Financial Services

Hometown Financial Group is a Massachusetts-based multi-bank holding company whose subsidiaries include bankESB, bankHometown and TruNorth Bank. Its acquisition of New Hampshire-based Primary Bank will expand its New England footprint and bring residential mortgage lending, digital banking and technology support to Primary Bank’s commercial banking customers.

Hometown announced the approximately $160 million transaction on July 6, 2026. Primary Bank shareholders may exchange each share for either $33 in cash or $31 in stock, with each form of consideration covering 50% of the total shares. The deal will add $743 million in assets and four branches, increasing the group’s network from 55 locations to 59. Hometown’s three banks are scheduled to unite under the TruNorth Bank name in August, while the acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.