Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Prairie”), a leading middle-market investment bank, acted as financial advisor to Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc. (“Flat Branch”) in the sale of the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, Flat Branch is focused on providing low rate mortgages throughout the Midwest with unparalleled service and expertise. With some of the brightest professionals in the industry, the company’s experienced staff is well-equipped to help its customers find the mortgage for their next home purchase or refinance.

Prairie worked closely with the management team and sellers, providing advisory expertise and managing the preparatory, due diligence and negotiation phases of the transaction, as well as structuring the financing for the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “After considering several ownership transition structures for Flat Branch, it was evident that an ESOP met nearly all of our near- and long-term ownership transition objectives,” says Jim Yankee, President at Flat Branch. “Transitioning ownership to our employees was the ideal solution for our company. Prairie’s team demonstrated the expertise and guidance needed in structuring the right ESOP transaction for all of us.”

“Jim had a very clear vision of the future and how the ESOP could help contribute to the growth, success and independence of the Company,” commented Michael McGinley, Managing Director at Prairie. “Inviting employees to share in the value created at Flat Branch will not only recognize their contributions to Flat Branch’s success, but it will also further their commitment to providing superior client service and mortgage expertise. It was a pleasure working with the Flat Branch team throughout the entire transaction process. Flat Branch has all of the characteristics to become a successful ESOP company,” added Shaun McGehee, Director at Prairie.

About Prairie Capital Advisors
Prairie offers investment banking, ESOP advisory, valuation advisory and financial reporting valuations to support the growth and ownership transition strategies of middle-market companies. Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the company is a leading advisor to closely-held companies nationwide. Prairie was named the 2021 U.S.A. Valuations Firm of the Year by M&A Atlas. For more information, visit www.prairiecap.com.