Commerce Bank, on June 29, 2026, announced that it has entered into a contract to acquire Nolan & Associates, a boutique investment banking firm that is based out of St. Louis with global reach that is specialized in providing capital raise advisory services across middle-market clients, enhancing the bank’s capacity to serve clients at crucial times within their business cycle.
Nolan offers sell-side and buy-side as well as capital raise advisory services to business owners, private equity firms, and corporations in a variety of industries such as transportation, building products, healthcare, telecom, business services, logistics, energy, manufacturing, and distribution as well as agriculture.
Pat C. Nolan established Nolan in 1976. They are a second-generation, family-owned business that has pretty deep Midwestern roots. The firm has earned a strong reputation for consistent leadership, lasting relationships, and dependable advice through critical business changes for around 50 years. Once the deal is finalized, Nolan will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Commerce Bank.
The two firms developed a relationship of confidence and a common commitment to helping middle-market clients that has resulted in a solid connection that led to this deal. Commerce intends to retain employees and the office of Nolan and provide continuity of service for clients and employees.
The acquisition builds on the current commercial and wealth platforms of Commerce with unique investment banking capabilities, enhancing the bank’s ability to serve clients at critical points in their business lifecycle.
According to Bob Holmes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Commerce Bank – St. Louis, “With the addition of Nolan, we are expanding our ability to serve business owners through some of the most important decisions they will make – whether that’s growing, acquiring, or transitioning their business. This strengthens our ability to deliver a more seamless, end-to-end experience for our clients.”
It is well to be noted that Commerce will leverage Nolan’s investment banking expertise to offer clients a more intimate relationship, right from building and scaling a business to changing ownership and handling personal wealth. The package additionally broadens the solutions it provides to help Commerce attract and retain as well as deepen connections with both commercial and wealth clients.
Commerce offers the Nolan team a more comprehensive platform, which includes deeper client relationships, improved capital markets capabilities, and added resources so as to help support combined growth. It opens up new avenues for working together across commercial and wealth businesses of commerce while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit and client-focused approach of Nolan.
The broader geographic footprint of Commerce, along with its strong market position, will also help Nolan, providing greater chances to initiate and advise routine transactions and strengthen relationships with owners of businesses at major transition points.
Remarks Patrick Nolan, President, Nolan & Associates, “Joining Commerce is an exciting next chapter for our firm. We’ve built Nolan & Associates on long-term relationships, trusted advice, and a strong commitment to our clients and community. Commerce shares those same values and a relationship-driven culture, which made this a natural fit. We’re proud to continue serving our clients with the same team and approach, now backed by the broader capabilities and reach of Commerce.”
As per Managing Director, Nolan & Associates, Brett Pantazi, “Combining forces with Commerce enables us to remain deeply committed to our family-owned business clients while accelerating the growth of our private equity services practice. We are thrilled to partner with the Commerce Bank team.”
Under the terms of the deal, Commerce Bank will purchase Middle-Market Transactions, Inc. – MMTI, a FINRA-regulated entity via which Nolan & Associates offers advisory services. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed as yet. The acquisition is conditioned on regulatory authorization and the usual closing conditions.