BRODSKY & SMITH INVESTOR ALERT: Updates on Investigations Involving Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE – AXTA), Green Dot Corporation (NYSE – GDOT), Blue Foundry Bancorp (Nasdaq – BLFY), and Golden Entertainment, Inc (Nasdaq - GDEN)
Investigation Announcements: Brodsky & Smith is reminding investors about ongoing investigations into several companies regarding potential breaches of fiduciary duties by their boards during merger agreements.
Axalta Coating Systems: Axalta is set to be acquired by Akzo Nobel, with concerns raised about whether the deal provides fair value to shareholders and if the board acted in their best interests.
Green Dot Corporation: Green Dot will be acquired by Smith Ventures and CommerceOne Financial, with investigations focusing on the fairness of the deal and the board's fiduciary responsibilities.
Blue Foundry Bancorp and Golden Entertainment: Both companies are involved in merger agreements, with investigations into whether their boards failed to ensure fair processes and valuations for shareholders during these transactions.
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- Executive Retirement: Fulton Financial Corporation announced that Chief Human Resources Officer Bernadette Taylor will retire on June 5, 2026, after joining the company in 1994, where she has been instrumental in developing a company culture that attracts top talent and enhances competitive positioning.
- Successor Appointment: Karen Grafje, currently the Director of Total Rewards and HR Solutions, will be promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer, and with over 25 years of HR experience, her leadership is expected to continue enhancing employee experience and ensuring future company success.
- Leadership Praise: Chairman and CEO Curt Myers praised Taylor's contributions to shaping the company culture, emphasizing her collaboration with leadership to better serve customers and communities, reflecting the company's commitment to effective human resource management.
- Company Background: Fulton Financial Corporation is a $32 billion financial holding company with over 3,300 employees operating 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia, showcasing its strong influence in the regional financial services market.
- Executive Retirement: Fulton Financial Corporation announced that Chief Human Resources Officer Bernadette Taylor will retire on June 5, 2026, marking a significant leadership change that may impact employee morale and the continuity of company culture.
- Successor Appointment: Current Director of Total Rewards and HR Solutions Karen Grafje will be promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing over 25 years of HR experience, and is expected to continue enhancing the employee experience, ensuring the company's competitiveness in talent acquisition.
- Leadership Praise: Chairman and CEO Curt Myers praised Taylor's contributions to shaping the company culture, emphasizing her leadership in attracting top talent, which reflects the company's commitment to effective human resource management.
- Company Overview: Fulton Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with $32 billion in assets, employing over 3,300 people and operating 200 financial centers across five states, demonstrating its strong influence in the regional financial services market.
- Regulatory Approval Secured: Fulton Financial Corporation and Blue Foundry Bancorp have received necessary regulatory approvals from the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for their all-stock transaction, marking a significant milestone towards completion expected around April 1, 2026, thereby strengthening Fulton's market position in New Jersey.
- Strong Shareholder Support: Blue Foundry's shareholders approved the transaction on January 29, 2026, reflecting robust backing for the merger, which will help Fulton expand its customer base and enhance service capabilities.
- Strategic Integration Plans: The transaction is set to not only increase Fulton's asset size to approximately $32 billion but also enhance customer experience and market competitiveness through the integration of Blue Foundry's innovative services.
- Positive Future Outlook: Fulton's CEO stated that the merger will deepen the impact of both organizations, drive community development, and is expected to positively influence future financial performance, particularly in expanding operations in New Jersey.

Regulatory Approval: Fulton Financial Corporation and Blue Foundry Bancorp have received regulatory approvals for their merger.
Anticipated Closing Date: The merger is expected to close on a specified date, marking a significant step in the consolidation of the two financial institutions.
- Strong Performance: Fulton Financial Corporation reported operating earnings per share of $2.16 for 2025, reflecting successful execution of its community banking strategy and indicating potential for long-term shareholder value creation.
- Significant Deposit Growth: Customer deposits increased by $449 million, with a 25% year-over-year growth in consumer demand deposit account openings, attributed to enhanced deposit initiatives that further solidify market position.
- Loan Growth Outlook: Management anticipates a return to historical mid-single-digit loan growth rates in 2026, driven by new hires and strong loan origination momentum, showcasing confidence in future performance.
- Strategic Acquisition: The acquisition of Blue Foundry Bancorp aims to strengthen Fulton’s community banking model, expected to enhance market competitiveness and provide new business expansion opportunities.
- Earnings Beat: Fulton Financial reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.53, exceeding expectations by $0.03, indicating robust profitability amidst competitive pressures.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $336 million in Q4, reflecting a 5.1% year-over-year increase, although it slightly missed analyst expectations by $0.9 million, highlighting market challenges.
- Market Performance: Despite the revenue miss, Fulton Financial's strong earnings showcase its resilience and adaptability in the current economic landscape, which may bolster investor confidence.
- Future Outlook: As market interest in Fulton Financial grows, investors will closely monitor its upcoming financial performance and strategic direction to assess its long-term potential in the financial services sector.


