While stablecoins aren't widely used for merchant payments, blockchain tech firms such as BVNK and Polygon Labs are seeking opportunities to add speed to slow-moving international transfers.

The combination of the banks is the latest in a trend of deals closing on speedier timelines, and signals the industry's hunt for scale.

U.S. Bancorp shuffles management as COO Souheil Badran announces his retirement; Stock Yards Bancorp agrees to buy Field & Main Bancorp; Citi's wealth business hires Mercer's Olaolu Aganga for a newly created role; and more in this week's banking news roundup.

Acquiring Stellar Bancorp will create the second-largest Texas-headquartered bank, with a No. 5 deposit share in the massive Houston marketplace.

A Delaware judge denied HoldCo Asset Management's emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to stop the deal from closing. Fifth Third plans to complete its purchase on Feb. 1.

The bank technology seller closed the sale of its payment processor to Global Payments, which sold its card issuing unit to FIS. Helping banks get a handle on artificial intelligence is a big part of FIS' plan to reach banks.

The Boston bank, which has been targeted by an activist investor over its M&A strategy, isn't pursuing deals, CEO Denis Sheahan said Friday. Instead, the company is focused on organic growth and share buybacks.

The McLean, Virginia-based bank plans to close the deal in mid-2026, about a year after it sealed its landmark purchase of Discover Financial Services.

The acquisition will improve how clients can use agentic artificial intelligence to attract and reel in consumers.

Three weeks after completing its "merger of equals" with Synovus Financial, Pinnacle Financial Partners said it plans to hire 225 to 250 revenue-generating bankers in 2026 across its newly expanded Southeast footprint.

Executives surveyed by American Banker said companies vying to wrestle market share from banks are a major threat to operations in the coming year.

The Cleveland-based bank announced changes Tuesday to its board of directors, including the appointment of a new lead independent director. Last month, activist investor HoldCo Asset Management urged the bank's board to not re-nominate its longtime lead independent director.

The Huntsville, Alabama-based regional bank is well positioned to defend its Southeast footprint, according to CEO John Turner. It's hiring more bankers in growth markets, it has strong brand recognition and it has a long history in its core markets, he said.

"We're coming into your market," PNC Chief Executive Bill Demchack said Friday. "If you're not coming into our market to come fight us, we're coming to your market to come fight you, and we're going to get some percentage of your market."

Community Financial in Syracuse has agreed to purchase a small bank that's built its business model around end-of-life planning.

The Federal Reserve announced it had approved the merger, marking the final regulatory hurdle the banks needed to clear. But a lawsuit seeking to stop the deal is still ongoing.

The Minneapolis-based bank has collaborated with BTIG since 2014. The investment bank's leadership team will join U.S. Bancorp following the deal's expected completion in the second quarter.

The $24.3 billion acquisition and $13.5 billion divestiture deal enables Global Payments to focus more on its core payments technology.

Coastal Financial in Washington State has acquired GreenFi, one of its fintech partners. The move is designed to buy time in order to figure out the best long-term strategy for the struggling neobank.

San Diego County Credit Union and California Coast Credit Union, which last year announced plans to merge, are now duking it out in court. SDCCU alleges there are widespread compliance problems at Cal Coast, which Cal Coast denies.