MCLEAN, Va. - Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: NYSE:COF), a $66.5 billion market cap financial giant and prominent player in the Consumer Finance industry according to InvestingPro, has received approval from the Office of the Delaware State Bank Commissioner to proceed with its acquisition of Discover Financial Services (NYSE: NYSE:DFS) and its subsidiary bank, Discover Bank. This regulatory approval, announced on December 18, 2024, marks a significant step towards completing the merger, with both companies having a strong presence in Delaware.
The acquisition is anticipated to finalize in early 2025, contingent on additional closing conditions, including approvals from both companies’ stockholders and federal regulatory bodies such as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Capital One’s intent to acquire Discover was first publicized in February 2024, and in July 2024, the company unveiled a $265 billion community benefits plan over five years. This initiative, developed with input from community groups, aims to provide a suite of community-focused solutions. As part of the plan, Capital One has committed $35 million in grants to nonprofit organizations based in Delaware and will maintain Discover’s branch in Sussex County.
Both Capital One and Discover have substantial assets and deposits, with Capital One reporting $353.6 billion in deposits and $486.4 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2024. Discover is known as a major card issuer in the United States and operates the Discover Global Network®.
The completion of the merger is subject to various conditions and approvals, and there is no guarantee that the transaction will occur as planned or within the anticipated timeframe. According to InvestingPro’s analysis, Capital One currently shows a GOOD overall financial health score, with analysts maintaining positive earnings forecasts for the upcoming period. For comprehensive insights and detailed financial analysis, including Fair Value estimates and additional ProTips, investors can access the full Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers. This news is based on a press release statement and does not endorse any claims made by the involved parties. The information provided is intended for factual reporting only.
In other recent news, Capital One Financial Corporation has been the center of several developments. The company has reported its monthly charge-off and delinquency statistics for November 2024, key credit performance indicators that are closely watched by investors. Baird has maintained a Neutral stance on Capital One, noting a rise in domestic card net charge-offs. On the other hand, Citi has kept a Buy rating on the company’s shares, increasing the price target to $225, reflecting optimism about potential earnings growth following Capital One’s planned acquisition of Discover Financial Services.
Capital One has also announced dividends for both common and various series of preferred stock, continuing its history of quarterly dividends. However, the company is also facing potential enforcement action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over allegations of misrepresentation regarding its savings accounts.
A significant development for Capital One is its proposed acquisition of Discover Financial Services, valued at $35.3 billion, which is currently under scrutiny for potential antitrust violations. These are some of the recent developments at Capital One, as the company continues to navigate the financial landscape.
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