Major U.S. Bank M&A Deals Close Significantly Faster

Major U.S. bank mergers require reviews by regulators including the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Scrutiny intensified under the Biden administration, and deals often took more than a year to complete. After the Trump administration took office in 2025 and restored previous standards, approval times became an important gauge of banking consolidation and capital allocation.

A research report found that U.S. bank mergers valued at more than $500 million took an average of just 126 days from announcement to completion in 2025, down 243 days, or about 66%, from 369 days in 2024. The largest transactions are now the fastest to close, underscoring a marked shift in the regulatory environment after the Trump administration accelerated reviews.