Financial News’ Post

Recent dealmaking momentum at the top end of the market suggests the upswing has already begun: the volume of deals greater than $1bn in value increased by 17% in 2024, and their average value rose. But we are also seeing some mixed signals: the volume of smaller and mid-sized deals fell by a meaningful 18% in 2024. While the deal environment is characterized by uncertainties, in Austria we see positive signs for deals activity in the second half of 2025 as distressed M&A transactions and refinancings picking up and the opportunity for CEOs to transform their businesses through M&A. These are the results of our M&A Trends 2025. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dDyS6iRZ #PwCDeals #IndustryTrends #MnA

Recent dealmaking momentum at the top end of the market suggests the upswing has already begun: the volume of deals greater than $1bn in value increased by 17% in 2024, and their average value rose. But we are also seeing some mixed signals: the volume of smaller and mid-sized deals fell by a meaningful 18% in 2024 While the deal environment is characterized by uncertainties, in Austria we see positive signs for deals activity in the second half of 2025 as distressed M&A transactions and refinancings picking up and the opportunity for CEOs to transform their businesses through M&A. These are the results of our M&A Trends 2025. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dQWBW8P7 #PwCDeals #IndustryTrends #MnA

❗ Big News in the Banking World! 🏛 CFPB Director Rohit Chopra recently spoke at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, advocating for a major overhaul of bank merger reviews. A light was shed on the critical need for a comprehensive review of bank merger protocols. With a call to action for the Attorney General to reassess the Department of Justice’s guidelines, established back in 1995, the landscape of bank mergers is poised for significant changes. 👉 Why This Is a Game-Changer: These changes could reshape the banking landscape, affecting everything from consumer choices and fair competition to how businesses strategize for growth. 👀 Stay Informed: At EDGE Legal we're keeping a close eye on these shifts to help you understand and navigate the potential impacts on your business or personal finances. #EDGELegal #banking #competition #consumers #financialinclusion #edgelegalconnect

Definitely no shortage of bank mergers in MA this year, including Eastern Bank and Cambridge Trust; M&T Bank & People's United Bank, N.A.; and now Berkshire Bank acquires Brookline Bancorp Inc. #mergers #M&A #boston https://lnkd.in/eZ_4zda8

Connecticut Department of Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez has signed off on Naugatuck-based Ion Bank’s merger with New Jersey-based NVE Bank. https://ow.ly/CWga50Ux0ko

Paul does a great job breaking down the state of M&A in banking (or lack thereof). A few key takeaways: 1. Premiums fell precipitously from 142% of tangible book to 110%. 2. This is no accident. I personally think we won’t see a return to glory days of high volume and high prices because it is far easier to spend on targeted marketing to steal the best customers rather than dealing with integration costs 3. The exception is when there is a compelling story. Being a smaller version of a larger bank is not a compelling story. Expertise in a vertical, novel products, modernized technology and people, those are compelling stories and assets worth paying for. 4. The acquirered banks were substantially larger than the sub billion dollar average last year. If a bank is chasing scale through inorganic growth, you need to make it work by actually scaling fast. Unless a bank is an acquisition machine (and I’ve recently met one that industrialized their integration process to handle close to a dozen transactions a year), the juice has to be worth the squeeze. 5. Paul points out that many of these sales were driven by the acquired bank exiting before passing the $10b cap and losing interchange. Let that sink in. If interchange is an essential part of profitability, there is a fundamental issue in the underlying business model

Look at the consolidation of just 1 major bank before the 2008 financial crisis. These types of mergers raise a host of concerns, and chief among them is the threat they pose to the financial system, the economy, and the standard of living for every American. That's why our latest comment letter calls on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to do more to protect Main Street from problematic bank mergers. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e8Ukai5M

Bank mergers can be an ATM operator's worst nightmare! Protect your ATMs by diversifying—open a backup account and spread your business across banks. Don’t get caught off guard during a merger—stay prepared and secure! #atmbusines #money #entrepreneurship #finance

Did You Know? There Are Over 9,000 Banks and Credit Unions in the USA! As of 2023, the U.S. is home to about 4,200 commercial banks and 4,800 credit unions! While the number of banks has decreased over the years due to mergers and acquisitions, the diversity of financial institutions remains strong, serving different needs across the country. Don’t you think a few of them would let you open a bank account with them online? Find them on LinkedIn and start asking! How do you prefer to bank? With a large national bank or a local credit union? Let me know your thoughts! #Banking #Finance #USABanking #MoneyMatters #LinkedIn #Networking

As we near January, we've created a customer resource guide for our upcoming merger of equals with Gorham Savings Bank at https://ow.ly/T4j750Uq8IU. It includes helpful information and tips to ensure a smooth transition as we become one bank on January 1, 2025. The guide was recently mailed to our customers and is available at all branch locations. See FAQs at https://ow.ly/T4j750Uq8IU.