The US Comptroller of the Currency is making it easier for banks to merge. It is bringing back a faster review process for merger applications and getting rid of a policy that made the review more thorough.
Why it matters
The government agency that oversees national banks is making it simpler to combine banks. This means fewer hurdles for banks looking to grow through acquisition. It also means less scrutiny on how these mergers might affect competition or local communities.
The signal
Watch for an increase in bank merger applications and approvals in the coming months, particularly for smaller regional banks.