The credit card giant says that it is "proactively meeting" with advocacy organizations to gather feedback that would help with the creation of a community benefits plan. The National Community Reinvestment Coalition, which has negotiated 21 such deals since 2016, opposes Capital One's proposed acquisition of Discover.

First National has agreed to buy Touchstone Bankshares. The combined company would have more than $500 million each of deposits and loans.

The FDIC's newly unveiled policy statement on bank mergers could add strain to an already bleak outlook for mergers in the banking industry, particularly for larger banks.

Harborstone Credit Union in suburban Lakewood, Washington, plans to buy Savi Financial. That's seven deals in less than three months this year; the highest full-year total was 16 in 2022.

The blockbuster merger is now in the hands of banking agencies and the Department of Justice, which will have to evaluate its impact on competition.

The FDIC proposed a new policy to intensify scrutiny on U.S. bank mergers Thursday that emphasizes the resulting institutions' financial stability and ability to serve its community's needs.

Bank mergers and acquisitions have slowed in recent years amid recession fears and other economic uncertainties. But bank consolidation is a century-old trend that's expected to rev up again as early as this year due to higher costs, tougher regulation and fierce competition.

If former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin follows through with a purchase of the controversial social media app, it will be the second high-profile deal he will have marshaled this year after leading a $1 billion equity investment in the troubled New York Community Bancorp.

Bank M&A activity has been in the doldrums in recent years, but a number of CEOs are predicting an increase in bank consolidation in 2024.

Sound Credit Union said it would acquire Washington Business Bank in a cash deal slated to close in the fourth quarter.