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.

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.