Items include
Mergers and Acquisitions
Nov 5, 2024
Sales data suggests a gap between buyer and seller price expectations in M&A. CFIs can maximize value by finding strategic business combinations that leverage both sides’ strengths and minimize weaknesses.
Sep 30, 2024
A growing number of credit unions are acquiring banks, expanding beyond traditional mergers with other credit unions. Industry analysts decode why banks are appealing acquisition targets for credit unions.
May 14, 2024
Bank M&A activity in 2023 was dismal, but early indicators have shown that activity should increase in 2024. Three bankers gave their take during a recent webinar hosted by Bank Director and Ardmore Banking Advisors Inc. We discuss which factors are driving M&A this year and what CFIs should consider before inking a deal.
Apr 16, 2024
The OCC and FDIC have each proposed rules to enhance transparency around their processes of reviewing M&A transactions under the Bank Merger Act. We summarize the details of each agency’s proposal and provide resources to review and comment on the suggested changes.
Jan 22, 2024
Bank Director’s 2024 Bank M&A Survey explores FIs’ attitudes towards M&A. Although enthusiasm for a deal is somewhat flat, stagnant earnings may motivate FIs’ management and their boards to partner with other institutions in search of low-cost deposits. We discuss possible M&A trends for this year.
Nov 9, 2023
CFIs face tough economic challenges led by rising interest rates. Finding a way forward may require strategic partners. We discuss M&A trends from 2023 and why consolidation might be a solution.
Jul 6, 2023
Should your CFI consider acquiring a struggling fintech? As many promising fintechs run up against financial woes and find their stocks underperforming, a number of institutions are looking at the M&A opportunities this situation presents. Here’s what you should know about the risks and benefits of acquiring fintechs and how to determine the prospects of individual fintechs.
May 1, 2023
What should the composition of a board of directors, post-merger, look like? If done correctly, pitfalls can be avoided and the resulting financial institution will have a better chance of succeeding. We provide some best practices so your next merger deal won’t go down that rabbit hole.
Jan 27, 2023
The regulatory environment for banking M&A is evolving. Regulatory agencies are assessing the current competitive environment with an eye toward improving measures of competitiveness. While much remains uncertain, the recent merger of U.S. Bank and Union Bank offers some insights that may benefit banking institutions.
May 13, 2022
With July’s executive order to review and likely modify M&A regulations, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC are beginning to review the current process for bank mergers. While this is still in its early stages, we evaluate how this development could affect the M&A strategies of community financial institutions.
Sep 12, 2019
In the past, bank mergers moved at a snail's pace through regulatory approval processes. These days the process is almost 20% faster. Is this a good thing?
Jul 9, 2019
In our third "Inquiry and Insight" issue, we share more interesting questions from our readers and provide relevant and insightful answers.
Mar 21, 2022
A record net 2,927 US bank branches closed in 2021. Is this all bad news? We give you the important facts on branch closures and look at the impact on community financial institutions. We also share some stories of how your peers have been dealing with this trend.
Jun 2, 2022
Mergers and branch consolidation have accelerated in recent years, leaving an increasing number of rural communities without access to bank branches. Could CFI’s turn these banking deserts into banking opportunities?
Mar 1, 2022
Looking for international business customers? You don’t need to look far. Many reside in your communities, but in places that you may not consider. According to JPMorgan Chase, 14% of SMBs plan on expanding beyond US borders in the next 3Ys. We uncover three places to find SMBs needing international services.
Oct 7, 2021
Credit unions have now acquired more than 100 community banks since 2013. We have seen this M&A activity ebb and flow, but right now it seems to be flowing. Here is an update with some of the advantages and disadvantages of these deals, while discussing the credit union tax exemption.
Dec 1, 2021
The pace of bank M&A this year has been high with 19 deals worth almost $12.5B in September alone. Community banks have been on both sides of the table in M&A activity this year. Here are the latest bank merger numbers along with some of the reasons to merge and the results of this continuing consolidation of community banks.
Dec 7, 2021
Bank mergers and acquisitions in the US hit $52B at the end of September, according to S&P Global and community financial institutions have been very active players. While exploring this option and developing your M&A strategy, it is important to not only consider the usual operational and credit risks, but also the potential for increased cyber risk. Here are three cyber risks to put on your radar.
Dec 24, 2021
De novo applications and new bank launches have been trending up in 2020 and 2021. Favorable signs include rising investor confidence in new banks and government encouragement of new banks in rural and underserved areas. This year, there were nine new banks for every 100 lost, compared to only two banks for every 100 lost during the previous decade. While this is good news, is it a trend? Here is our insight.
Jan 3, 2022
As we kick off 2022, let’s look ahead at some of the key economic, regulatory, and market trends that may affect community bankers and their clients this year. The uncertainty surrounding inflation, potential interest rate hikes, and the outlook for M&A activity all are likely to play an impactful role this year. Others that we believe could begin to grow even more prominently are the digital race and ongoing changes to the ways of working. Here is our assessment of things to come in 2022.
Aug 31, 2022
The banking sector recently saw a strong resurgence in M&A deals, although activity is now slowing down. We look at the key drivers and trends shaping banking M&A in 2022, along with industry-specific factors including the acquisition of digital capabilities, the downward trend in net interest margins, and the ongoing blurring of the lines between fintechs and banks.
Sep 7, 2022
Merger and acquisition activity soared last year and this business strategy could be the answer your CFI needs. Financial institutions are teaming up not only to create more scale, but also to broaden their scope as they seek ways to increase their stability in the face of challenging industry winds.
Mar 29, 2023
After a dearth of M&A deals within the financial services sector last year, what will 2023 activity look like? We provide six tips on how institutions can both successfully strike a deal and then see it through.
Jun 4, 2021
With 53 announced bank deals this year through April 2021, bank M&A has started off strong out of the gate. Will that trend continue? To help answer that question, we examine the current surge, the industry outlook, how deal value ratios are improving, and how liquidity management will affect merger valuations.
Mar 30, 2021
Community banks and credit unions may not always see eye-to-eye on a variety of issues. But, they are more willing to work together on mergers and acquisitions these days. We lay out the reasons why community banks are selling, how deals are increasing, the community bank benefits, and why branch sales could be a win-win.
Mar 19, 2021
In 2020, 2,563 branches were lost. Branch closures seem to have accelerated with the pandemic. But, does that mean the branch is doomed? We look for the answers to this question through continuing digital engagement, bank mergers, and needed cost reductions.
Mar 5, 2021
M&A deals dropped 56% last year. So, how do things look in 2021 for bank M&A? We provide highlights from the Bank Director’s 2021 M&A Survey to give you the answer and cover: who’s in the market, the status of technology acquisitions, expectations for a recovery, and thoughts on deal opportunities.
Dec 9, 2020
Bank M&A hit a low point this year. Yet, it is expected to ramp up in 2021. We review the M&A landscape.
Oct 21, 2020
The Department of Justice is reviewing its bank merger guidelines. The results could help smaller institutions.
Sep 8, 2020
The pandemic has caused the number of bank M&A deals to plunge by almost two-thirds and the deal value ratios to plummet. What should community banks know about M&A today and into the future?
Jul 28, 2020
The economic downturn has been tough for financial institutions, but mergers are occurring during the pandemic. We explore a few recent mergers that provided new opportunities for both parties.
Jun 12, 2020
Even with the latest canceled M&A deals, the urge to merge still may be there. We lay out the current M&A landscape.
Feb 11, 2020
While the slower pace of M&A deals in Q4 2019 may be an omen for what is to come in 2020, the urge to merge remains strong. Is M&A still worthwhile?
Nov 22, 2019
Do you know how to deal with an unsolicited offer? We provide tips to help.
Jun 4, 2019
Regional and community banks are definitely feeling pressure to consolidate these days. But, should you give in to this pressure?
Mar 29, 2019
What is the current outlook on M&A? To acquire or be acquired - is that the question?
Dec 13, 2018
Some banks have been busy prioritizing M&A. We give you the M&A highlights for the year.
Jan 30, 2018
As community banks find themselves deliberating M&A, some banks have found other workable and interesting alternatives.
Jan 17, 2018
Your bank may not be thinking M&A is in your near future. Yet it could be worthwhile to have a plan just in case. What to include in your planning.