---
title: Is a Massive M&A Wave on the Way?
description: bank, investments, fintech, M&A, merger, valuation, markets, community bank, investment banking, liquidity, deposits, loans, genopp
image: https://gen-opp.com/hubfs/12.18.20.png
---

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# Is a Massive M&A Wave on the Way?

[Joseph Fenech](https://gen-opp.com/genopp-insights/author/joseph-fenech)

 Fri, Dec 18, '20

As featured on the website Travilliannext.com on December 18, 2020

**[Click Here For Article](https://www.travilliannext.com/2020/12/18/is-a-massive-ma-wave-on-the-way/)**

## **Pre-COVID, the bank sector was ripe for consolidation**

I remember thinking heading into this year that it was likely to be an active one for M&A, for a variety of reasons. 

- First, there were notable fundamental challenges. Interest rates were heading lower, pressuring margins; loan growth was likely to remain muted given late cycle credit concerns; and increased technology spend – on infrastructure and talent — was a certainty, amidst encroachment from fintech and market share gains by the big banks. Thus, cost takeouts via M&A were among the few fundamental levers available to be pulled to help drive earnings growth in the coming years.
- Second, there were the typical and ongoing succession issues in the C-suite and in boardrooms at many banks across the country, which has long been a catalyst for bank sector consolidation.
- Third, following the longest economic expansion on record, the perception was that at some point, a downturn was inevitable, which would likely lead many to conclude that an exit now was preferable to waiting out a recession of unknown length and severity.

  (continued [here](https://www.travilliannext.com/2020/12/18/is-a-massive-ma-wave-on-the-way/))<https://www.travilliannext.com/2022/04/21/are-fintech-credit-lenders-about-to-face-their-first-real-test-written-by-joe-fenech/>

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[GenOpp Insight](https://gen-opp.com/genopp-insights/tag/genopp-insight) [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://gen-opp.com/genopp-insights/tag/mergers-acquisitions)

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### [Wed, Jun 16, '21 Counter-Trend M&A Can Often Prove The Wisest Course In The Long Run](https://gen-opp.com/genopp-insights/06162021)

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