Two southern Illinois financial institutions announced a merger on Wednesday.
First Southern Bank and The Bank of Carbondale signed what they're calling a "strategic alliance," which will eventually lead to The Bank of Carbondale merging with First Southern.
First Southern Bank CEO John Dosier says the merger makes sense for both institutions, because they both have community focus and are dedicated to southern Illinois.
Dosier adds the new merger won't mean job losses - First Southern plans to keep current Bank of Carbondale employees on staff.
The transaction is expected to be finished in the second quarter of this year.