Securities / Capital Markets Law
B.T. Atkinson
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
B.T. Atkinson is a corporate attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A. With nearly 30 years of experience, B.T. is a veteran banking attorney whose practice focuses on corporate, securities, and regulatory matters in the financial services space. He regularly advises regional and community banks, underwriters and issuers, and public and private companies. Clients rely on B.T.'s extensive experience for guidance with securities offerings and reporting, business formation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance matters under federal and state law, and corporate governance issues.
Overview
Wilmington, North Carolina
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1992
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, B.S., Accounting, graduated 1987
- North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Admission, 1992
- South Carolina, South Carolina Bar Admission, 2013
- West Virginia Bankers Association - Member
- Independent Banks of South Carolina - Member
- North Carolina Bankers Association - Affiliate
- North Carolina Bar Association - Past chair, Securities Regulation Committee
- South Carolina Bankers Association - Affiliate
- South Carolina Bar Association - Member
- All state courts in North Carolina and South Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
- North Carolina, North Carolina Bar Admission, 1992
- South Carolina, South Carolina Bar Admission, 2013
- West Virginia Bankers Association - Member
- Independent Banks of South Carolina - Member
- North Carolina Bankers Association - Affiliate
- North Carolina Bar Association - Past chair, Securities Regulation Committee
- South Carolina Bankers Association - Affiliate
- South Carolina Bar Association - Member
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1992
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, B.S., Accounting, graduated 1987
- All state courts in North Carolina and South Carolina
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
Awards:
- Best Lawyers of America®– Securities/Capital Markets Law (2010-2024)
News & Media
Case History
Transactions
- $3 billion bank holding company transaction
Represented a $3 billion bank holding company in the acquisition of a $400 million private bank holding company in the first utilization of the South Carolina fairness hearing exemption.
- $2 billion bank holding transaction
Represented a $2 billion bank holding company in the acquisition of $300 million publicly-traded community bank in a registered stock-for-stock merger transaction.
- $600 million community bank transaction
Represented a $600 million community bank holding company issuing $25 million in subordinate debt to fund a pending acquisition.
- $400 million community bank recapitalization
Represented a $400 million troubled community bank in its recapitalization by a consortium of private equity funds.
- $40 million prominent investment bank transaction
Represented a nationally prominent investment bank as placement agent for a $40 million private offering of subordinate debt and as dealer-manager for an issuer tender offer for common stock funded by the proceeds of the offering.
- $5 billion transaction
Represented a $5 billion bank in its initial public offering to facilitate sales of controlling blocks of stock by two private equity funds.
- Carolina Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CARO)
Represented a Carolina Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CARO), a $4 billion bank holding company, in its acquisition by United Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: UBSI), a $21 billion bank holding company in a stock-for-stock merger transaction valued at $1 billion.
- $200 million recapitalization transaction
Represented a Georgia banking company in a $200 million recapitalization transaction
- Alabama financial corporation
Represented an Alabama financial corporation and its subsidiary in a control investment and subsequent acquisition
- South Carolina community bank
Represented a South Carolina community bank in its acquisition by a South Carolina bank holding company
- Missouri bank
Represented a Missouri bank in the sale of 24 branches, $1 billion of deposits, and $300 million in loans comprising its Chicago Region
- North Carolina bank
Represented a North Carolina bank holding company in its formation as a private equity backed bank holding company and its acquisitions of two banks
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