Citizens to acquire Investors Bancorp for $3.5 billion

Citizens Financial Group Inc. has agreed to acquire Investors Bancorp Inc., the Short Hills-based lender and a major player in recent years in New Jersey commercial real estate finance.

Provident to acquire SB One in $209 million bank merger

The parent company of Provident Bank is set to acquire SB One Bancorp, paving the way for what would be the third-largest lending institution in New Jersey.