EX-8.1 3 tm2515540d4_ex8-1.htm EXHIBIT 8.1

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
1445 Ross Avenue
Suite 3700
Dallas, TEXAS 75202

 

Tel       214 · 468 · 3300
Fax      214 · 468 · 3599

 

www.huntonAK.com

   
June 4, 2025

 

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc.

5114 Buford Highway NE

Doraville, Georgia 30340

 

Re:Federal Income Tax Opinions Issued to MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. in
Connection with the Merger of First IC Corporation with and into
MetroCity Bankshares, Inc.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special tax counsel to MetroCity Bankshares, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Buyer”), in connection with (A) the merger of First IC Corporation., a Georgia corporation (“Company”), with and into Buyer, with Buyer surviving (the “Merger”), and the subsequent merger of First IC Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Company (“Company Bank”) with and into Metro City Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer (“Buyer Bank”), with Buyer Bank surviving (the “Bank Merger”), and (B) the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration Statement No. 333-287567) (the “Registration Statement”), which includes the proxy statement/prospectus, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2025.

 

The Merger shall be in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of March 16, 2025, by and between Buyer, Buyer Bank, Company, and Company Bank (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.03(c) of the Merger Agreement and in connection with filing the Registration Statement, you have asked us to render an opinion that the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

 

Set forth below are our opinions, together with the representations, assumptions and documents upon which we have relied in rendering our opinions.

 

ATLANTA  AUSTIN  BANGKOK  BEIJING  BOSTON  BRUSSELS  CHARLOTTE  DALLAS  DUBAI  HOUSTON
LONDON  LOS ANGELES  MIAMI  NEW YORK  RICHMOND  SAN FRANCISCO  TOKYO  TYSONS  WASHINGTON, DC
www.HuntonAK.com

 

 

 

 

 

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc.
June 4, 2025
Page 2

 

A.      Documents Reviewed

 

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have reviewed and relied upon the following documents:

 

1.      the Merger Agreement;

 

2.      the Registration Statement;

 

3.      the Certificates of Buyer and Company, delivered to us on or about June 4, 2025, with respect to various factual representations and certifications (collectively, the “Certificates”); and

 

4.      such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of these opinions.

 

B.      Representations

 

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have reviewed and relied upon the factual representations set forth in the Certificates.

 

C.      Assumptions

 

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have assumed that:

 

1.      all signatures on all documents submitted to us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, that all documents submitted to us as copies are accurate, that all information submitted to us is accurate and complete, and that all persons executing and delivering originals or copies of documents examined by us are competent to execute and deliver such documents;

 

2.      the Merger and the other transactions specified in the Merger Agreement will be consummated as contemplated in the Merger Agreement, without waiver of any material provision thereof;

 

3.      the Merger will be reported by Buyer and Company on their respective income tax returns in a manner consistent with the opinions set forth below; and

 

4.      the Certificates are true and accurate in all material respects as of the Effective Time of the Merger.

 

 

 

 

 

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc.
June 4, 2025
Page 3

 

D.      Opinions

 

Based solely upon the documents and assumptions set forth above and conditioned upon the initial and continuing accuracy of the factual representations set forth in the Certificates as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Effective Time of the Merger and subject to the limitations set forth herein, it is our opinion that (1) the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (2) the statements regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth in the Registration Statement under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” insofar as they constitute statements of law or legal conclusions, accurately describe the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger.

 

E.      Limitations

 

1.      Except as otherwise indicated, the opinions contained in this letter are based upon the Code and its legislative history, the U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), judicial decisions, and current administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, all as in effect on the date of this letter. These authorities may be amended or revoked at any time. Any such changes may or may not be retroactive with respect to transactions entered into or contemplated prior to the effective date thereof and could significantly alter the conclusions reached in this letter. There is no assurance that legislative, judicial, or administrative changes will not occur in the future. We assume no obligation to update or modify this letter to reflect any developments that may occur after the date of this letter.

 

2.      The opinions expressed herein represent counsel’s best legal judgment, is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts and is dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of the documents we have reviewed under the circumstances, the assumptions made and the factual representations contained in the Certificates. To the extent that any of the factual representations provided to us in the Certificates are with respect to matters set forth in the Code or the Regulations, we have reviewed with the individuals making such factual representations the relevant portions of the Code and the applicable Regulations and are reasonably satisfied that such individuals understand such provisions and are capable of making such factual representations. We have made no independent investigation of the assumptions set forth above, the facts contained in the documents or the factual representations set forth in the Certificates or the Merger Agreement. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such assumptions, facts or documents in a material way. Any material inaccuracy or incompleteness in these documents, assumptions or factual representations (whether made by Buyer or Company) could adversely affect the opinions stated herein.

 

 

 

 

 

MetroCity Bankshares, Inc.
June 4, 2025
Page 4

  

3.      No opinion is expressed as to any federal income tax consequence of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement except as specifically set forth herein, and these opinions may not be relied upon except with respect to the consequences specifically discussed herein. These opinions do not address the various state, local or foreign tax consequences that may result from the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

4.      This opinion letter is issued to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. No other person or entity may rely hereon without our express written consent.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
   
  Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP