The proposed merger of Fifth Third Bancorp and Comerica moved a step closer to completion Tuesday (Jan. 6) as shareholders of the two banks voted to approve the combination.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins re ...

Relaxed rules in the U.S. around banking mergers have reportedly caught the eye of activist investors.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.That’s according to a report Tuesday (Dec. 30) by The Wall Stree ...

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Key insight: The recommendation is another signal in favor of Fifth Third closing its massive acquisition of Comerica.What's at stake: The combined company would be one of the largest banks in the country by assets, though the deal is one of the fastest to come together in 15 years.Supporting data: Both Fifth Third's and Comerica's stock prices have gone up since the deal was announced, a sign that investors are in favor of the transaction.Update: This story has been updated with additional information abou ...

Key insight: A few days after the OCC approved Comerica's blockbuster sale to Fifth Third, the seller made an amended regulatory disclosure that provides more details about how the deal came together.What's at stake: The $10.9 billion deal is the largest bank acquisition announced in 2025.Forward look: The deal still needs approval from the two banks' shareholders, the Federal Reserve Board and the Texas Department of Banking.Comerica aimed high in its whirlwind negotiations to be acquired, the Dallas bank ...

Key insight: The OCC's approval is the first of three regulatory signoffs that Fifth Third needs to acquire Comerica.What's at stake: The acquisition is the largest bank transaction announced in 2025, and comes during a frothy period for bank dealmaking.Forward look: The deal is being challenged by an activist investor in a Delaware court. The plaintiffs argue that Comerica will be able to strike a better deal if the Fifth Third merger gets rejected.Fifth Third Bancorp has cleared another hurdle in its miss ...

HoldCo Asset Management is urging Comerica (CMA) shareholders to vote against a planned sale to Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB). HoldCo, which has a 1.6% stake in Comerica, argues that shareholders should insist on a higher price or a superior alternative transaction, the investor said ...

Key insight: Key CEO Chris Gorman said Tuesday that the Cleveland-based company has no interest in acquiring another bank.What's at stake: HoldCo's reports calling out banks this year have made waves in the industry. The hedge fund called for Comerica to sell itself just months before that bank inked a deal with Fifth Third Bancorp.Forward look: Key is focused on organic growth and can buy back at least $800 million of shares next year as part of its repurchase program, Gorman said.KeyCorp CEO Chris Gorman ...

Key insight: Banks are seeking scale by inking merger agreements, despite investor concerns about tangible book value dilution.What's at stake: So far, 2025 is on track to be the biggest year for bank deals since before the pandemic.Supporting data: The stock prices of banks that shrink their share counts are likely to outperform their peers over time, according to a Truist Securities analysis.All banks are "opportunistic."At least, when asked about whether they plan to ink a merger deal, most bank leaders ...

Core Insights - Customers Bancorp is expanding its presence by opening five new offices in California and Nevada, marking its first locations west of the Rocky Mountains [1][2][7] - The new offices aim to enhance the company's footprint in high-opportunity regions and cater to more business owners and entrepreneurs [2][3] Company Strategy - The expansion aligns with Customers Bancorp's strategy to transition from a regional Mid-Atlantic institution to a national business bank, following previous expansions into North Carolina, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver [3] - The new locations are classified as limited purpose offices focusing on commercial clients, while also offering deposit and loan services [4] Industry Context - Customers Bancorp's expansion is part of a broader trend among regional and money-center banks pursuing significant growth initiatives, with other banks like PNC Financial Group and Bank of America also planning to open numerous new branches [5][6] - The emphasis on brick-and-mortar locations is seen as a key strategy for building new relationships and enhancing product cross-selling opportunities [8] Performance Metrics - In the third quarter, Customers Bancorp reported a net income of $73.7 million, a 71% increase from the same period in 2024, driven by growth in loans and deposits [10] - The company has onboarded seven banking teams in 2025, totaling 30 bankers, contributing to its growth strategy [9][10]