Bank mergers fell sharply in the first quarter as the industry tried to digest the record deals of 1995.
Banks and thrifts announced 75 mergers during the first three months of this year, down from 99 a year earlier. But the dealmaking could well pick up in the months ahead, experts say.
"Deals do seem to start percolating in the summer, said James J. McDermott Jr., president of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc., New York. "It was true both last summer and in the mid-1980s."
Once the high expectations raised by last year's prices begin to fall, the deals will start rolling again, he said.
So far this year, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Montgomery Securities are leading in the merger and acquisition advisory derby - thanks to their roles in the historic Wells Fargo-First Interstate deal.
See M&A Review, starting on page 23 Bank mergers fell sharply in the first quarter as the industry tried to digest the record deals of 1995.
Banks and thrifts announced 75 mergers during the first three months of this year, down from 99 a year earlier. But the dealmaking could well pick up in the months ahead, experts say.
So far this year, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Montgomery Securities are leading in the merger and acquisition advisory derby - thanks to their roles in the historic Wells Fargo-First Interstate deal.
See M&A Review, starting on page 23
