Wisconsin banks to merge

Boscobel Bancorp, Inc., Boscobel, Wis., will acquire Rural Bancshares of Wisconsin, Inc., and its subsidiary Livingston State Bank, both of Livingston, Wis., later this year..Founded in 1903, the $166 million Livingston State Bank has two branches in Livingston and Platteville, Wis..The combined bank will have $400 million in assets, $330 million in deposits, $262 million in loans and eight branches. The merger of Rural into Boscobel is expected in the second quarter while the merger of Livingston State Bank into Community First Bank is expected in the second half of the year.."Our markets fit nicely together which will give customers the ability to transact business at numerous additional locations," said Dan Klahn, president and CEO of Boscobel's $234 million Community First Bank. "The increasing bank size and corresponding economies of scale will make it much more cost effective to continue to provide new and improved products and services to our customers.".The Bank Advisory Group, LLC assisted both companies with this transaction. Boardman & Clark law firm represented Boscobel Bancorp, Inc. and Community First Bank. Godfrey & Kahn represented Rural Bancshares of Wisconsin, Inc. and Livingston State Bank.