M&A activity has been going through a slump recently, but despite regulatory challenges and fears of a recession, the appetite for deal-making remains strong.

PhonePe backs away from a buy now/pay later acquisition, Germany fines EY for Wirecard scandal, and more.

The equity deal means that Acorns will gain a foothold in the U.K. and Europe, where GoHenry, the challenger bank it acquired, also operates.

The neobank purchased the fintech lender in an all-cash offer, but did not disclose the price tag.

Two years ago, the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank promised $11.2 billion in community development support. Activists want First Citizens, which acquired much of the failed bank, to fulfill the commitment.

Since 2011, and in ever-growing volume, credit unions have been buying community banks. Some see it as the free market at work while bankers say this is another example of credit unions' unfair advantage.

Diversity, equity and inclusion has only grown in importance to the financial services industry over the last few years. For that reason, DEI philosophies are becoming a bigger concern as buyers and sellers try to determine how their corporate cultures might mesh.

Pismo's platforms allow banks and financial technology companies to rapidly launch products for cards and payments, digital banking, digital wallets and marketplaces.

The unusual financing is meant to help First Citizens meet liquidity needs that arise in the next two years as it integrates SVB into its operations, the Raleigh, North Carolina, lender said in a regulatory filing.

With the acquisitions of CIT Group and a large portion of the failed Silicon Valley Bank, the North Carolina company has doubled in size for the second time in a little more than a year and joined the class of super regionals.