Rhineland Bancshares to Acquire BancStar in 2026 Merger
RHINELAND, Mo. — Rhineland Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Peoples Savings Bank, announced Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BancStar, Inc., parent company of Bank Star.
The boards of directors for both companies have approved the merger, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 pending shareholder and regulatory approvals. After the transaction, BancStar will be merged into Rhineland Bancshares, with Rhineland remaining as the surviving entity.
The combined institution will have approximately $992 million in total assets and 18 banking locations across Missouri.
Mark Laune, president and CEO of Peoples Savings Bank, said the merger strengthens the bank’s position in the St. Louis metro market. “The team at Bank Star has done an excellent job building relationships with their clients and communities,” Laune said. “Supporting our local communities remains at the heart of our mission.”
Joe Stewart III, president and CEO of Bank Star, said the partnership enhances their ability to serve customers while maintaining a focus on local decision-making. “We’re combining the strengths of two well-respected organizations to create new opportunities for our customers, employees, and the communities we serve,” Stewart said.
Founded in 1935, Peoples Savings Bank is based in Rhineland and recently completed the acquisition of FarmBank. Bank Star, headquartered in Pacific, has served Missouri communities since 1975
