Finding the Right M&A Partner in 2026
Bank M&A activity is likely to continue its strong upward trajectory in 2026, buoyed by a favorable regulatory environment and robust profitability in the industry. According to Bank Director’s 2026 Bank M&A Survey, the big question for many prospective acquirers is whether they can find a suitable merger partner. To some degree, it’s a numbers game as industry consolidation whittles away banks between $1 billion to $7 billion in assets, says Patrick Vernon, partner with Crowe. Aside from scale, buyers are on the hunt for targets with strong deposit bases, solid credit quality and attractive markets.
Topics discussed include:
- Drivers of M&A
- What’s on Buyers’ Wishlists
- Acquirers’ Pricing Expectations
- Organic Growth Prospects
Bank Director’s 2026 Bank M&A Survey, sponsored by Crowe, studies current growth strategies, including banks’ appetite for deals and plans for organic growth. The survey results are also explored in the 1st quarter 2026 issue of Bank Director magazine.
Patrick Vernon
Patrick Vernon is a partner in the consulting group at Crowe. He specializes in valuation services, transaction advisory and structuring, and acquisition accounting. Patrick has more than 12 years of experience with providing valuation and accounting of acquired loans, debt instruments, and other financial instruments as well as the valuation of intangibles acquired through financial services business combinations. He also engages in CECL implementation consulting services, assisting financial services organizations in the preparation and implementation of CECL reserves.