Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp (AUB) has announced the acquisition of Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc (SASR) for $1.6 billion, marking the fourth regional bank deal exceeding $1 billion this year. The deal will strengthen Atlantic Union’s presence in Northern Virginia and Maryland, creating a regional powerhouse with a combined $39.2 billion in assets. The transaction is expected to significantly boost Atlantic Union’s earnings per share by 2026.