Company: MCHB
Filing Date: 2025-07-16
Form Type: 424B3
Source: 0001140361-25-026051
Chunk: 215

Company: Mechanics Bancorp
Filing Date: 2025-07-16
Form: 424B3
Chunk 215
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 concluded, however, that the potential positive factors outweighed the potential risks of completing the merger. In considering the recommendation of the Mechanics board of directors, you should be aware that certain directors and executive officers of Mechanics may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, interests of Mechanics shareholders generally and may create potential conflicts of interest. The Mechanics board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them when evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and in recommending to Mechanics shareholders that they vote in favor of the merger proposal. See the section entitled “ —Interests of Mechanics Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” for more information. It should be noted that this explanation of the reasoning of the Mechanics board of directors and the other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the future factors discussed in the section entitled “ Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

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For the reasons set forth above, the Mechanics board of directors unanimously recommends that Mechanics shareholders execute and deliver a written consent to approve the Mechanics merger proposal. Opinion of HomeStreet’s Financial Advisor HomeStreet engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”) to render financial advisory and investment banking services to HomeStreet, including an opinion to the HomeStreet board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to HomeStreet of the consideration to be paid to holders of Mechanics common stock in the merger. HomeStreet selected KBW because KBW is a nationally recognized investment banking firm with substantial experience in transactions similar to the merger. As part of its investment banking business, KBW is continually engaged in the valuation of financial services businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions. As part of its engagement, representatives of KBW attended the meeting of the HomeStreet board held on March 27, 2025 at which the HomeStreet board evaluated the merger. At this meeting, KBW reviewed the financial aspects of the merger and subsequently, on March 28, 2025, at a meeting of the HomeStreet Board, rendered an opinion, which was initially rendered verbally and subsequently confirmed in a written opinion issued by KBW on such date, to the HomeStreet board of directors to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by KBW as set forth in