Esquire Financial seals $348.4m deal to buy Signature Bancorporation

Acquisition will give Esquire a foothold in the Chicago banking sector

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:48am

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Esquire Financial has agreed to acquire Signature Bancorporation in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $348.4 million. The combined company will hold about $4.8 billion in assets after the completion of the deal. Each Signature share will be exchanged for 2.63 shares of Esquire common stock.

Why it matters

This acquisition will give Esquire Financial a presence in the Chicago banking market, an area where it previously did not have a significant foothold. The merger is structured to bring together Esquire's national litigation lending operations with Signature's expertise in commercial and real estate banking within the Chicago market.

The details

The transaction is expected to lower Esquire's exposure to its litigation vertical loans and funding from over 70% to under 50%. Signature's commercial deposit base will also add diversity to Esquire's balance sheet. The merged firm is forecasted to see Esquire's GAAP earnings per share increase by 23% in 2027. The boards of both companies and their respective banks will be restructured to include eleven directors, nine from Esquire and two from Signature.

  • The merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Esquire Financial

An American financial services company that provides litigation financing and banking services.

Signature Bancorporation

A Chicago-based bank holding company that provides commercial and real estate banking services.

Leonard S. Caronia

Currently the Chairman of Signature Bancorporation, he will join Esquire's board after the merger.

Michael G. O'Rourke

The CEO and President of Signature Bancorporation, he will join Esquire's board and remain as president of Signature, which will operate as a division of Esquire Bank.

Andrew C. Sagliocca

The president, vice chairman and CEO of Esquire Financial.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to announce a partnership that will benefit both institutions, our clients, and our shareholders, while also positioning us to work together towards the next chapter of our combined organization's legacy.”

— Mick O'Rourke, CEO and President of Signature Bancorporation (retailbankerinternational.com)

“Signature's leadership in the attractive Chicago market, best-in-class management team, and exceptional core funding provide Esquire with a strong platform for continued growth and expansion in the country's third largest metropolitan area or MSA and one of the nation's largest legal markets.”

— Andrew C. Sagliocca, President, Vice Chairman and CEO of Esquire Financial (retailbankerinternational.com)

What’s next

Completion of the deal is contingent on regulatory approval and approvals from both sets of shareholders.

The takeaway

This acquisition will allow Esquire Financial to expand its national litigation lending operations by leveraging Signature Bancorporation's expertise in commercial and real estate banking within the Chicago market, diversifying Esquire's balance sheet and enhancing its operating profile.