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Tuesday, November 3, 2026

M&F Bank shareholders are set to vote Wednesday on Optus merger

Plus, Duke routs Boston College 47-2 and Manny Diaz answers the Florida State rumors.

The 5AM Durham team2 stories21 sources5 min read

BusinessTop story

M&F Bank shareholders are set to vote Wednesday on merging with Optus

The Optus deal would create the nation's largest Black-owned bank

$105 million
roughly, for the Optus deal
$1.3 billion
in assets for the combined bank
10
branches across North Carolina and South Carolina
1907
year M&F was founded in Durham's Hayti district

If you bank at M&F, or care about Durham's story, this one's for you. M&F shareholders are scheduled to vote Wed., Nov. 4 on a roughly $105 million merger with Bank of South Carolina. CEO Jim Sills calls the deal “a sign of strength.”

It isn't a done deal. Greensboro's has made four offers since August, the latest on Oct. 8 at $53.50 in cash per share. M&F's board told shareholders Oct. 19 that Triad's offer is “not a superior proposal to the Optus merger.” Triad's plan calls for preserving M&F's name, charter and minority depository status.

  • Name: M&F keeps it for two years after closing
  • Lending limit: $11 million now, up to $20 million combined
  • Layoffs: expected on both sides; number not shared
  • Approval: federal regulators; closing expected by year's end

M&F's shareholder vote follows a months-long bidding fight

  1. July agrees to pay $105 million in cash for M&F.
  2. Oct. 8Triad submits its fourth offer: $53.50 in cash per M&F share.
  3. Oct. 19M&F's board tells shareholders Triad's offer is not a superior proposal.
  4. Nov. 4M&F shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Optus deal.

Duke Football

Duke routs Boston College 47-⁠2 as Nate Sheppard scores five touchdowns

Duke crushed Boston College 47-2 at on Saturday. That moved the Blue Devils to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the ACC, and made them bowl-eligible for a third straight year under Manny Diaz. Sophomore running back Nate Sheppard ran for five touchdowns, a Duke single-game record. The defense held BC to 78 rushing yards.

5rushing touchdowns by Nate Sheppard on Saturday, a Duke single-game record

He carried 20 times for 97 yards. His 18 total touchdowns are also a school record for a season.

Then came the Florida State chatter. FSU fired Mike Norvell on Nov. 1, and Diaz, a Florida State graduate, was immediately linked to the job. He addressed the rumors Monday, saying he's “really, really happy here” and that anything beyond beating NC State is “a distraction.”

  • Sheppard this season: 972 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns
  • Diaz at Duke: 24-11, including the 2025 ACC title
  • Boston College on third down: 2-of-13

Duke plays three of its last four regular-season games on the road

OpponentWhere
NC State, Sat., Nov. 7Away
No. 1 MiamiAway
ClemsonHome
No. 14 Wake ForestAway

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Durham answered.

Asked

How will you follow Duke at NC State on Saturday, Nov. 7?

Be the first to answer.

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News Notes · More

Schools

More than two months into the school year, Durham Public Schools was still looking for 68 more teachers, and nearly half of those vacancies are in special education. That's an improvement from last year, district administrators told the school board. The INDY

Drought

Durham officials say worsening drought could bring stricter water restrictions. have been in place since June 15, and the city could move to Stage 3 if conditions don't improve. ABC11 News

Housing

In 2019, a typical Durham rental household would have needed to save for nine years to cover a down payment and closing costs. Seven years later, those timelines have nearly doubled. The News & Observer

Hoops

No. 2 Duke opened its season with an 84-50 win over Army on Monday night, its 27th straight season-opening victory. Dame Sarr scored 16 points, and freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, the youngest player in Division I at 17, had 15 in his collegiate debut. Duke led 33-18 at halftime after a 7-of-7 start from the field. Army committed 24 turnovers. CBS 17Ball Durham

No. 2 Duke beat Army 84-⁠50 in its season opener

  • Army50
    Duke84 (won)
    FinalDuke's 27th straight season-opening win

Source: CBS 17

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle. Advertising from Amazon.

The Buy

Product find alert: You’ve never used a steamer like this vacuum clothes steamer, which heats up in 30 seconds and offers powerful, even steaming and vacuum suction to remove dust and wrinkles. Use it on clothes like this women’s batwing sweater for a crisp, polished fall look. Advertising from Amazon.

Job

You have job openings; our job is filling them. List your available positions with our Self-Service Ad Portal and connect with top talent citywide. Submit here in seconds. Sample advertising from 6AM City.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Around North Carolina · More

Football

UNC lost 38-35 to No. 1 Miami in Chapel Hill on Saturday night, falling to 4-4 and 2-3 in the ACC. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 341 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The Tar Heels recovered two onside kicks in the final two minutes, but penalties negated both. CBS 17The News & ObserverThe Asheville Citizen Times

UNC lost to Miami by three and beat Western Carolina by eight

  • Miami38 (won)
    North Carolina35
    FinalSaturday night in Chapel Hill
  • Western Carolina72
    North Carolina80 (won)
    FinalMalone's debut, Monday night

Sources: CBS 17, ABC11 News

Basketball

Michael Malone's UNC debut ended with an 80-72 win over Western Carolina on Monday night. Matt Able scored 18 points, Terrence Brown had 14 and Neo Avdalas 13, and a 13-2 run in the final six minutes built a double-digit lead. Malone said afterward, “We have 11 new players.” The News & ObserverABC11 NewsChapelboro

Quoted

The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.

— David Foster Wallace

The Buy

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Durham answered.

Asked

Are you cutting back on water at home while Durham's drought continues?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Things to Do

Things to Do

Durham, NC

Tuesday, Nov. 3

See every Durham eventFeature your event

Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Lost and found

Update George is back home!!!

“We caught him in a live trap. Thank you to everyone who kept an eye out for him and gave me advice on how to bring him home.”

— A neighbor, GreyCliff
Photo from the neighbor’s post

215 likes · 16 comments

View post

The Wrap

Durham just got a new place to browse for Asian snacks, beauty products, toys and collectibles. TESO Life, a national retailer, opened its Durham store on Saturday, Oct. 31, on Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. A Cary store is also on the way, though it hasn't announced an opening date. Happy treasure hunting.

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  6. The Duke Chronicledukechronicle.com
  7. Duke Blue Devils On SIsi.com
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  9. The Asheville Citizen Timescitizen-times.com
  10. The INDYindyweek.com
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  13. CBS 17cbs17.com
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  17. The Asheville Citizen Timescitizen-times.com
  18. ABC11 Newsabc11.com
  19. The News & Observernewsobserver.com
  20. Chapelborochapelboro.com
  21. Durham events calendar5amdurhamnc.com

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5AM Durhamto me · Tues., Nov. 36:00 a.m.

M&F Bank shareholders are set to vote Wednesday on Optus merger

Plus, Duke routs Boston College 47-2 and Manny Diaz answers the Florida State rumors.

The TLDR

  1. M&F Bank shareholders are set to vote Wednesday on the Optus merger
  2. Duke routs Boston College 47-2, and Diaz says he's happy in Durham
  3. No. 2 Duke opens basketball season with an 84-50 win over Army
Read this edition

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