PNC Gets Regulatory OK to Acquire FirstBank

Core Viewpoint - PNC Financial Services has received regulatory approval for its $4.1 billion acquisition of FirstBank, marking a significant step in expanding its operations in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest [2][3][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition has been approved by the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Colorado Division of Banking [2]. - PNC anticipates closing the transaction around January 5, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, with full customer integration expected by mid-next year [3]. - FirstBank is recognized as one of the largest privately held lenders in the U.S., and this acquisition will enhance PNC's scale in Colorado and Arizona [4]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - PNC's CEO highlighted that recent efforts by federal banking regulators to reduce regulatory burdens will significantly benefit banks, potentially saving "hundreds and hundreds" of full-time equivalents (FTEs) [4][5]. - The OCC plans to continue regulatory reforms in 2026, focusing on liquidity risk management and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering regulations [6]. - These reforms are seen as a necessary step to address regulatory policies established after the 2008 financial crisis that have impacted effective supervision of the banking system [7].