M&A

Banks will be "more aggressive" in cutting their exposure to energy companies next month, during spring redeterminations, says Megan Snyder, an analyst with Moody's.

Establishing an active dialogue with major shareholders can help banks get ahead of activist campaigns, according to Josh Hinkel, a partner with Bain & Co.

Though bank analysts like Matthew Schultheis generally expect M&A activity to continue at a brisk pace for several years to come, stock market volatility could prove to be an issue for potential dealmakers in the near term.

Though bank analysts like Matthew Schultheis generally expect M&A activity to continue at a brisk pace for several years to come, stock market volatility could prove to be an issue for potential dealmakers in the near term. With a lower stock price, buyers may end up not being able to pay as much as sellers now expect, says Schultheis, who covers the financial services sector for Boenning & Scattergood. Here’s his outlook on bank M&A, including the number of deals he anticipates will happen this year and whether big banks might be among the buyers.

The regulatory red lines of $10 billion and $50 billion affect banks well before they pass them, and add to the pressure to buy or sell, says FIG Partners analyst Chris Marinac.

Fear is one causing many small banks to sell, says FIG Partners analyst Chris Marinac. Deals will likely be slow in the early going next year but pick up as the spring begins.

Deals by M&T, KeyCorp and BB&T opened the door to big-bank M&A, even if investors balked at the prices. There are a few other regionals that look poised to make a big splash, says Chris Marinac of FIG Partners.