Analysis-US bank M&A hopes revive under Trump regulators
Takeover speculation in Northern Trust has revived industry hopes of deals among large U.S. and regional banks, propelling exploratory conversations that could lead to consolidation, according to financial executives and analysts. Talk of potential mergers and acquisitions among Wall Street banks and large regional lenders has increased in recent weeks in a major shift under the Trump administration after regulators under the Biden administration opposed or blocked big deals, according to three senior financial executives who declined to name specific talks or be identified, citing confidential discussions. On Thursday, the Federal Reserve proposed changes to how it evaluates large banks, making it easier for firms to maintain a "well managed" rating by requiring deficiencies across multiple categories before being downgraded.