Mike Ring spent 30 years as a corporate securities lawyer. Then he co-founded a bank — and took it through a de-SPAC that required something almost no SPAC target faces: Federal Reserve approval.

Mike Ring, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Old Glory Bank and former Greenberg Traurig corporate securities partner, joins host Mike Blankenship to break down what may be the first bank de-SPAC. Ring walks through the regulatory path unique to a bank holding company — Federal Reserve approval under the 1956 Bank Holding Company Act, layered on top of the SEC process — plus why a SPAC beat an underwritten IPO or direct listing for a state-chartered Oklahoma bank, and why he made the public company's home in Texas.

What We Cover:
- Why banks almost never pursue de-SPACs
- Federal Reserve approval under the 1956 Bank Holding Company Act, on top of SEC review
- OCC charters vs. state charters for an Oklahoma-chartered bank
- Deal timeline: LOI in October, BCA in January, effective in July
- Why an underwritten offering or direct listing wasn't a realistic path to Nasdaq
- A securities lawyer as his own client: "a lawyer always makes the worst client"
- Texas domestication and where the state's new exchange may fit later
- Digital assets in the bank's roadmap after the GENIUS Act

Connect with Mike Ring:
Website: oldglorybank.com
Podcast: PSL — open.spotify.com/show/6MUR8ZtDk1Gs6t7tF5sDIH

Connect with Mike Blankenship:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship

About Winston Taylor: Winston Taylor is an international law firm with a capital markets practice that works with companies and sponsors across the SPAC and public-company lifecycle. Learn more at winstontaylor.com.

Interested in joining a future episode? The SPAC Podcast is part of One Iron Network, a media network for dealmakers, investors, and capital markets professionals. Visit thespacpodcast.com and oneironnetwork.com.

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Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.

Let's Connect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/

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https://www.TheSPACPodcast.com/contact/