More community bank mergers, the Chinese buy British pubs in bulk, and artificial intelligence. Let’s look at M&A Deal News.

M&A Deal News – August 20, 2019: M&A deal news from around the globe. Each day, we focus on deals in the private equity, real estate, AI and tech, and others impacting the alternative investment space. Here’s our recap for Tuesday evening. Let’s get started.

Reuters reports that  Bain and Carlyle Group will likely hike their offer for German lighting firm Osram. Banks reportedly are reaching out to determine who might be willing to pay more.

Bain and Carlyle pledged $38.75. Word today is that Austria’s AMS has revealed a plan to go higher.

And we’re not done with Reuters just yet. The company also reported that Cigna is exploring a possible deal to sell off its groups benefits insurance business. Further, Evercore’s Michael Newshel reported suggested to

Keep the Taps Flowing

What Brexit?

One asset manager isn’t asking that question today. CK Asset Holdings just purchased Green Kinge – an operator of 3,000 pubs and restaurants in the United Kingdom. The asset manager must think that Britain isn’t doomed. Besides, shares of Greene King were off more than 30% this year. This £4.6 billion deal offers a big real estate kicker.

And the Jukebox Running

Hipgnosis Songs Fund, which buys and sells music royalties, announced it had purchased the catalog of the Grammy Award winners, The Chainsmokers.

The DJ and production team of Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart have 55 number one songs in the last five years. They wrote the song “Closer.” Don’t try to make sense of the lyrics…

Community Banking M&A Deal News

Another day, another deal in the community banking space. Today, Community Bancshares announced plans to purchase the operator of Affinity Bank for $7.50 per share. The purchase gives CFBI an opportunity to expand its reach in Atlanta, Georgia.

“The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020,” according to the press release.

Meanwhile, Investar Holding is going to purchase two branch offices from PlainsCapital Bank. According to the press release, the deal will bring Investar an addition $42 million in deposits and $52 million in loans. Expect the deal to close during the first quarter of 2020 as Investar expands its presence in Texas.

A Big Artificial Intelligence Deal

Mateon Therapeutics and PointR Data have agreed to merge. The deal puts the artificial intelligence centered immuno-oncology company on the public markets. Further, the deal is should close in the coming months.

Real Estate Deal News

Finally, this could be a big one. The New York Post reports that Apollo Group is considering a deal that would take Hilton Grand Vacation private. According to initial reports, a private equity deal could fetch at least $36 per share.