The proposed combination of Vermont State Employees Credit Union and New England Federal Credit Union would create a $3 billion-asset institution. Some past leaders worry that the deal will erase one institution's local touch.

Moves by bank lobbyists to try to restrict credit union-bank mergers could wind up depriving many consumers of needed financial services.

Citigroup agreed to sell its India retail banking business for about 123 billion rupees ($1.6 billion) cash to Axis Bank, as the U.S. lender seeks to consolidate its operations in identified markets.

The $168 million deal would mark the third acquisition of 2022 for Seacoast and continue a years-long effort to bulk up via M&A.

The acquisitive Massachusetts company said it would pay $146.5 million to acquire Randolph and its $800 million-asset subsidiary, Envision Bank.

The pace of deal activity in 2022 is far lighter than it was a year earlier. "Going forward as an industry, we're going to be more selective because of the elongated approval process,” said Jim Ryan III, CEO of Old National Bancorp. Additionally, rising interest rates have led sellers to demand bigger payouts.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has submitted its request for information — which asks whether banks should bear the burden of proof in merger applications and how much input the CFPB should have in approving deals — to the Federal Register.

Citizens Financial Group is mulling the acquisition of a wealth manager or even a lender in Florida following a deal spree by the bank last year, CEO Bruce Van Saun said.

The niche railcar leasing unit, which the North Carolina company inherited with its acquisition of CIT, may generate roughly 25% of the combined entity's noninterest income, executives said. They vowed to slow the sale of boxcars that had been underway at CIT.

Farmers National Banc Corp. in Canfield has agreed to buy Emclaire Financial in neighboring western Pennsylvania — its first move across state lines.