Filed by Green Dot Corporation
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Green Dot Corporation
Commission File No.: 001-34819
Date: November 24, 2025
The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) were made available to employees of Green Dot Corporation on November 24, 2025.
|
Why is Green Dot being acquired?
|
|
Earlier this year, Green Dot began a strategic review to explore options that would help maximize shareholder value and our prospects for growth.
After a comprehensive review, we entered into agreements with Smith Ventures and CommerceOne Financial Corporation—two entrepreneurial organizations with proven track records. Their investment will help unlock the potential of our
fintech and payments businesses and strengthen the long-term value of our bank.
The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q2 2026.
|
|
What do the transaction agreements mean for Green Dot?
|
|
Based on the agreements, Green Dot’s non-bank fintech and embedded finance business and related assets and operations (including personnel) will be acquired by Smith Ventures and taken private to be operated as an independent fintech and
embedded finance company going forward.
Additionally, Green Dot Bank (including all bank-related business assets and operations) will be acquired by CommerceOne, and together they will form a new publicly traded bank holding company.
|
|
What does this mean for me as an employee?
|
|
Until the transaction closes, it’s business as usual.
Smith Ventures and CommerceOne are committed to investing in and growing our businesses. They value our talented employees and see you as critical to our evolution as a modern fintech and bank. This
acquisition is expected to create professional development and growth opportunities for many employees.
We understand you have a lot of questions. We are in the early days of this transaction, and there are many details to finalize. We will be sharing more information and updates as the process progresses.
In the meantime, the best thing we can do is remain focused on achieving our goals and continuing to grow our business.
|
|
Will there be layoffs?
|
|
No layoffs are planned as a direct result of this announcement.
Both Smith Ventures and CommerceOne are excited to work with our teams and position our businesses for long-term growth.
|
|
What will happen to Green Dot Bank?
|
|
Smith Ventures will acquire Green Dot’s non-bank fintech business, which will continue as an independent fintech and payments company.
CommerceOne will acquire Green Dot Bank and related operations, forming a new publicly traded bank holding company that will serve as the fintech’s exclusive issuing bank.
|
|
Which company will I join?
|
|
A Transition Team is being formed to develop integration plans. Employees will be mapped to either the fintech and payments company, or the new, publicly traded bank holding company, based upon the talent needs of each business.
As we get closer to finalizing the transaction, employees will be informed as to which entity they are joining.
|
|
Will our name or branding change?
|
|
No changes are planned at this time.
Branding options for the future will be evaluated. Any changes will be communicated clearly and implemented thoughtfully to ensure continuity for customers, partners, and employees.
|
|
How long will integration take?
|
|
Integration is contingent upon shareholder approval and regulatory approval.
A Transition Team is creating a detailed integration plan. We will keep employees informed at every stage leading up to and following transaction closure.
|
|
What if I have concerns or questions?
|
|
Please reach out to your manager or HR representative.
We are committed to open communication and will provide regular updates and forums for questions throughout the transition.
|
|
Will this impact my 2025 bonus?
|
|
No. Funding and payment of the 2025 STI annual bonus will not be affected by this transaction.
|
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include,
but are not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements about the benefits or costs of the proposed transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Green Dot
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Green Dot”), CommerceOne Financial Corporation, an Alabama corporation (“CommerceOne”), and affiliates of Smith Ventures, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company (“Smith Ventures”), including future financial and operating results (including the anticipated impact of the proposed transactions), statements related to the expected timing of the completion of the proposed transactions, the plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions of Compass Sub North, Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of CommerceOne (“New CommerceOne”) (to be renamed “CommerceOne Financial Corporation” as part of the
proposed transactions), following the consummation of the proposed transactions (the “combined company” or “New CommerceOne”) described herein, and other statements that are not historical facts. You can identify these forward-looking statements
through the use of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “may” and “assumes,” variations of such
words and similar expressions of the future or otherwise regarding the outlook for Green Dot’s, CommerceOne’s or the combined company’s future businesses and financial performance and/or the performance of the banking industry and economy in
general.
Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Green Dot, CommerceOne or the combined company to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on the information known to, and current beliefs and expectations of, Green Dot or CommerceOne and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those
contemplated by such forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this communication. Many of these factors are beyond Green Dot’s,
CommerceOne’s or the combined company’s ability to control or predict, and there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete. These factors include, among others, (1)
the risk that the cost savings and synergies from the proposed transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized, (2) disruption to Green Dot’s business and to CommerceOne’s business as a result of the
announcement and pendency of the proposed transaction, (3) the risk that the integration of Green Dot’s and CommerceOne’s respective businesses and operations, or the separation of Green Dot’s non-bank fintech businesses from Green Dot Bank, will
be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (4) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the closing of the transactions among Green Dot, CommerceOne and Smith
Ventures, including the failure to obtain the necessary approvals by the stockholders of Green Dot or CommerceOne, (5) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the transactions, (6) the ability by each of Green Dot,
CommerceOne and Smith Ventures to obtain required governmental approvals of the proposed transactions on the timeline expected, or at all, and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the
combined company after the closing of the proposed transaction or adversely affect the expected benefits of the proposed transactions, (7) reputational risk and the reaction of Green Dot’s or CommerceOne’s customers, suppliers, employees or other
business partners to the proposed transactions, (8) challenges retaining or hiring key personnel following the proposed transactions, (9) any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transactions or the occurrence of any event, change or other
circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or Separation Agreement, (10) the dilution caused by the issuance of shares of the combined company’s common stock in the transaction, (11) the possibility that the
proposed transactions may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (12) risks related to management and oversight of the business and operations of the combined company and the
separation of Green Dot’s non-bank fintech business from Green Dot Bank and the combined company, (13) the possibility the combined company is subject to additional regulatory requirements or consent orders as a result of the proposed
transactions, (14) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings or governmental inquiries or investigations that may be currently pending or later instituted against Green Dot, CommerceOne or the combined company, and (15) general
competitive, economic, political, regulatory and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Green Dot, CommerceOne and the combined company, including changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain
or achieve revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices; the ability to raise or maintain liquidity, funding, and capital; the impact,
extent and timing of technological changes; capital management activities; fraudulent or other illegal activity involving the products and services of Green Dot, CommerceOne or the combined company; cybersecurity risks, including cyber-attacks or
security breaches; and fluctuations in operating results. Additional factors which could affect future results of Green Dot can be found in Green Dot’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in Green Dot’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, under the captions “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors,” and Green Dot’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be
placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date that they are made. Green Dot, CommerceOne and Smith Ventures do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as otherwise may be required by law.
Important Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It
New CommerceOne intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of New CommerceOne common stock that will be issued to CommerceOne stockholders
and Green Dot stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of Green Dot and CommerceOne that also constitutes a prospectus of New CommerceOne. The definitive joint
proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of each of Green Dot and CommerceOne in connection with the proposed transactions. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE (AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS) BECAUSE SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Green Dot or New CommerceOne through the website maintained
by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Documents filed with the SEC by Green Dot will also be available free of charge by contacting the investor relations department of Green Dot at [email protected] or by accessing the “Investor Relations”
page of Green Dot’s website at https://ir.greendot.com/financial-information/sec-filings
.
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Green Dot and CommerceOne are urged to read carefully the entire registration statement and joint
proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, including any amendments thereto, because they will contain important information about the proposed transactions. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.
Participants in Solicitation
Green Dot and CommerceOne and certain of their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies
from Green Dot’s stockholders in respect of the proposed transactions under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Green Dot’s directors and executive officers is available in Green Dot’s proxy statement for its 2025 annual meeting of
stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2025 (and available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1386278/000138627825000020/gdot-20250411.htm) (the “Green Dot 2025 Proxy”), under the headings “Corporate Governance and Director
Independence,” “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” “Our Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation” and “Transactions with Related Parties, Founders and Control Persons,” and
in Green Dot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2025 (and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001386278/000138627825000009/gdot-20241231.htm), and in other
documents subsequently filed by Green Dot with the SEC, which can be obtained free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Any changes in the holdings of Green Dot’s securities by Green Dot’s directors or
executive officers from the amounts described in the Green Dot 2025 Proxy have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 or on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC
subsequent to the filing date of the Green Dot 2025 Proxy and are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other
relevant materials to be filed with the SEC.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication relates to the proposed transactions and is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.