Investor reaction to the proposed $8.6 billion deal has been sour, with both banks' share prices falling more than 11% as of Friday afternoon. The response appeared to reflect the market's distaste for mergers of equals and the risks associated with crossing the $100 billion-asset threshold.

The Dallas-based bank is the subject of a scathing new report by HoldCo Asset Management, which says it should take advantage of current market conditions to sell itself. The investment firm accused Comerica's management of making poor decisions and failing to address its lagging stock price.

BankUnited hires Wells Fargo's James Mackey to be its new chief financial officer; Ponce Bank President and CEO Carlos Naudon is named chairperson of the Community Development Bankers Association; Jefferson Bank announces the retirement of longtime President and CEO Danny Butler; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

The two Southeast banks agreed to combine in a transaction valued at $8.6 billion. Synovus CEO Kevin Blair would be chief executive of the combined bank, but a slim majority of board members would come from Pinnacle.

"During my tenure as CEO, we have never entertained discussions regarding the sale of the company with any financial institution," CEO Michael O'Grady told analysts Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the two banks' CEOs had at least one conversation about a potential merger.

The credit card giant must reckon with the high costs of integration before it can start reaping the benefits from its landmark acquisition. CEO Richard Fairbank said Tuesday that those costs will exceed the company's original $2.8 billion guidance.

The Columbus, Georgia-based bank is working with a financial adviser and has recently held merger talks with at least one rival, people familiar with the matter said.

The Evansville, Indiana-based bank has hired Tim Burke to oversee commercial and community banking, along with wealth, credit and marketing.

Eastern Financial Corp. provides a rich source of low-cost deposits that the larger Mercantile Bancorp can put to work in funding its much stronger loan growth.

A July pickup in activity is just a start, experts say. The banking industry's drive for scale and greater efficiency is expected to drive a renewed wave of consolidation, pushing the institution count lower.

Administration of the Community Development Financial Institution Fund at the Treasury Department will be led by the CDFI Fund's legal counsel following the resignation of the fund's director.

The banking subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation is discarding six brand names to unify under the Western Alliance Bank moniker; longtime JPMorgan advisor Vishal Idnani will join Western Alliance as its next CFO; First Community in Lexington, South Carolina, will acquire Signature Bank of Georgia; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Prosperity Bancshares announced plans to buy Corpus Christi-based American Bank Holding Corp. in an all-stock deal.

A Wells Fargo customer was surprised to receive a "cryptic notice" and a cashier's check from the firm compensating him for float fees charged more than a decade ago. A lawsuit followed.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati wants to become a bank for crypto platforms. Its CEO believes that stablecoins pose minimal threat to the U.S. deposit market.

A spike in the bank's noninterest income powered its better-than-expected net income and revenue in the second quarter.

The Pittsburgh-based bank's average loans increased 2% from the prior quarter, its largest jump since the end of 2022.

As the $4.6 trillion-asset bank looks to deploy its excess capital, investing in growth is the top priority. But there aren't many tempting acquisition opportunities for the megabank right now, CEO Jamie Dimon said Tuesday.

The Office of the Comptroller of Currency said it will no longer include examinations for disparate impact liability but will still perform fair lending risk assessments on a regular basis.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company plans to acquire Veritex Holdings, which has grown into one of the Lone Star State's biggest commercial banks over the past 15 years.