President Donald Trump's shrinking of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau add to bankers' uncertainty into May.

The top five banks saw an average rise in their assets of almost 31% between 2023 and 2024.

Trump's return to the Oval office, and his administration's vocal disdain for climate and DEI issues, has acted as a brake on ESG hiring across America.

The top five banks and thrifts had combined assets of more than $13 trillion as of Dec. 31.

The all-cash deal would solidify the $50 billion-asset regional bank's position in the fast-growing Lone Star State and offer double-digit earnings accretion.

After the Washington bank's rocky integration with Umpqua, investors are wary of its plan to acquire Pacific Premier Bancorp in Southern California.

The acquisition of the $5.7 billion-asset HarborOne Bancorp would be Eastern's third purchase of a Boston-area bank in the last five years.

Ranjana Clark is the newest member of Texas Capital Bancshares' board of directors; Minnesota's Wings Credit Union and Colorado's Ent Credit Union are merging; Regions Bank adds Angela Santone to its C-suite; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Tacoma, Washington-based Columbia Banking System said it will buy Pacific Premier Bancorp, accelerating its growth in Southern California by about a decade. The deal is Columbia's second major acquisition in three years.

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based company, which has been acquisitive in recent years, is more than halfway through a $3.6 billion share-repurchase plan. Executives said it's the best way to return capital to shareholders, but mergers remain part of its long-term strategy.

Credit unions are continuing to buy community banks, although at a slower pace than in 2024.

The Wall Street giant's say-on-pay resolution garnered 66% support, down from 86% last year. Other banks' pay packages are also facing opposition from proxy advisory firms.

Capital One outlined some of its to-do items as it integrates with Discover, which include long-haul investments in technology, global marketing and risk management.

The Evansville, Indianapolis-based company now expects to complete its $1.4 billion acquisition of Bremer Financial in Minnesota on May 1, instead of mid-year.

The Sunshine State deal comes following a banner year for credit union-bank combinations, despite pushback from community banking advocates.

House Financial Services Committee ranking member Maxine Waters, D-Calif., led a group of Democrats in challenging Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the current state of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

Global Payments' agreement to divest its issuer unit is the latest in a series of changes in a complex ownership strategy.

Both the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency signed off on the $35 billion transaction, which has faced opposition since it was announced last February.

Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union announced plans to buy Lewis & Clark Bank in Oregon City; Citizens Financial Group tapped veteran McKinsey banker Azra Pravdic to join its executive committee; the Federal Reserve Board approved United Community Banks' merger with ANB; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Fifth Third Bancorp revised its guidance, but still expects record net interest income for 2025, even as commercial clients signal that economic volatility will drive up inflation.