Bank M&A activity expected to rise in second half, says Morgan Stanley

Published 20/05/2025, 09:14
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- The second half of the year could witness an increase in bank mergers and acquisitions (M&A), according to a recent report from Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) analysts.

The team, led by Manan Gosalia, suggests that risks of a recession are fading, which could set the stage for more activity in the banking sector.

The report indicates that uncertainties related to tariffs and macroeconomic factors have only temporarily delayed the uptick in bank M&A activity. Traditionally, there have been approximately 200-300 bank M&A deals announced annually.

However, since 2021, the industry has seen a significant decrease in such deals, with numbers falling to around 100-150 each year over the past three years.

In the last three years, there have been no deals involving targets with over $50 billion in assets. Morgan Stanley analysts attribute this to the stricter regulatory stance and more rigorous merger review criteria under the previous administration.

The report also points out that regulatory signals and secular industry trends are indicating a broader pickup in M&A activity starting in the second half of the year. The analysts believe that the easing of recession risks could create a more favorable environment for bank M&A activity in the upcoming months.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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