Core Viewpoint - Commerce Bancshares, Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of FineMark Holdings, Inc., enhancing its private banking and wealth management capabilities and expanding its geographical presence [1][2][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The merger positions Commerce with approximately $36 billion in assets and $90 billion in assets under administration, ranking it 15th among bank-managed trust companies based on pro forma data as of September 30, 2025 [1]. - FineMark National Bank & Trust will be integrated into Commerce Bank and will operate as FineMark Bank & Trust, maintaining existing client relationships and locations [3][5]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to accelerate growth and expand Commerce's reach in wealth management and private banking, particularly in Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina [2][5]. - John Kemper, CEO of Commerce, emphasized the cultural fit and shared client-centric approach between the two organizations, which is anticipated to enhance value for clients and shareholders [3]. Group 3: Leadership and Integration - Joseph Catti will serve as Chairman of Commerce Trust and lead the FineMark Bank & Trust division, with operational system integration planned for the second half of 2026 [3].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp is set to complete its acquisition of BankFinancial Corporation on January 1, 2026, enhancing its presence in the Chicago market with retail consumer-focused locations [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is an all-stock transaction that will add BankFinancial's 18 financial centers and its commercial loan, lease, and deposit lines of business to First Financial [2][3]. - Following the acquisition, First Financial will have $22 billion in assets and will expand its range of consumer, commercial, specialty lending, and wealth management services [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Growth - The acquisition aligns with First Financial's strategy to grow in the Midwest, having previously established a commercial lending presence in Chicago's Fulton Market and acquired Agile Premium Finance in 2024 [4]. - In November 2025, First Financial completed the acquisition of Westfield Bank, further enhancing its commercial banking and wealth management capabilities in Northeast Ohio [4]. Group 3: Operational Transition - BankFinancial locations will continue to operate under their existing name until the conversion process is completed, expected by June 2026, which will integrate the two banks' products and systems [3]. - Clients of BankFinancial will receive information regarding account conversions in the coming months, while First Financial clients will not be affected by the merger [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial Bancorp had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity [5]. - The company operates 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and has a wealth management division with approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management [5].

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 ...

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Fresno, California-based Community West Bank will acquire fellow Fresno lender United Security Bank in a roughly $191.9 million deal expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, the companies said Wednesday. Buying United Security would give Community West 13 added branches, push the bank’s asset total to around $5 billion, and make it “more robust and more visi ...

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 ...

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Activist investor HoldCo Asset Management urged Comerica shareholders to vote against the proposed acquisition of the bank by Fifth Third, according to a presentation issued Monday. “Voting the deal down does not terminate the merger – and Fifth Third is constrained from walking away,” HoldCo wrote Monday. “It is contractually obligated to try to re-cut and resubmit ...

Core Insights - PNC Financial Services Group has received all necessary regulatory approvals to acquire FirstBank Holding Company and its subsidiary, FirstBank, with the transaction expected to finalize by January 5, 2026 [1][2][3] Regulatory Approvals - The acquisition has been cleared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Colorado Division of Banking [1] Transaction Details - The deal includes approximately 13.9 million shares of PNC common stock and $1.2 billion in cash, totaling a transaction value of $4.1 billion [3] - FirstBank, based in Lakewood, Colorado, has assets amounting to $26.8 billion as of June 30, 2025 [3] Integration Plans - Upon closing, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national operations, enhancing services in treasury management, payments, and digital banking [2] - The full conversion of FirstBank's customer accounts is expected by mid-2026 [2] Strategic Expansion - This acquisition is anticipated to expand PNC's presence in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest, particularly in Colorado and Arizona, where FirstBank operates 95 branches [4]

Core Points - PNC Financial Services Group has received regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition of FirstBank Holding Company, including its banking subsidiary [1][2] - The transaction is expected to close around January 5, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [2] - This acquisition is seen as a significant milestone for PNC, enhancing its national presence and capabilities [2][3] Company Overview - PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the U.S., offering a wide range of retail and business banking services, corporate banking, wealth management, and asset management [4] - FirstBank, based in Lakewood, Colorado, is one of the largest privately held banks in the U.S. and will strengthen PNC's footprint in the Rocky Mountain region and the Southwest [3][4] Integration Plans - Following the closing of the transaction, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national platform, focusing on treasury management, payments, and digital banking capabilities [2] - Full customer conversion from FirstBank to PNC is anticipated to occur by mid-2026 [2]

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. The Federal Reserve approved PNC’s application to acquire Colorado-based FirstBank, the central bank said Thursday. The green light for the $4.1 billion deal – which would triple PNC’s presence in Colorado and expand it in Arizona, too – came 94 days after the bank announced the transaction. The timeline from deal announcement to regulator sign-off has quickened sig ...

Key Takeaways Fifth Third agrees to acquire Mechanics Bank's DUS business and $1.8B multifamily servicing portfolio.The deal would give FITB direct access to Fannie Mae's multifamily lending platform.FITB expects the acquisition to expand its multifamily capabilities in commercial real estate.Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mechanics Bancorp's subsidiary, Mechanics Bank’s Fannie Mae Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS") business line. The deal brings over ...