Southside Bancshares (SBSI)

[31set]

Seeking Alpha has an article about SBSI dated 5-19-14 entitled "Southside Bancshares: Great Bank, Sold Off For Shortsighted Reasons". The author writes favorably about the proposed merger with OABC and seems to think well of SBSI's prospects whether or not the merger goes through. If the merger doesn't go through, the stock may well pop back up in the short term. If the merger does get approved by shareholders, the author believes SBSI will be a stronger more diversified bank likely to prosper even more in the longer term, expecting a 33% premium to current prices by the end of 2015. I may reconsider my initial impression that I should vote against the merger.

SBSI closed today at $25.73 below the $26.13 to 26.45 price range where according to the article, 3 directors and the CEO of SBSI recently bought additional shares on May 6th, which one would have to view as a vote of confidence.

I'm still long SBSI and certainly intend to stay that way at least until the merger vote takes place. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the Seeking Alpha article or any other information they deem important?