Patrick Vernon is a senior manager of advisory services at Crowe LLP, focusing on transaction and valuation services for financial institutions and investor groups regarding select asset acquisitions and whole bank and financial service firm acquisitions. Mr. Vernon has extensive experience with CECL implementation projects and solutions including risk assessment, model documentation and theory and technology solution evaluation. He has a background in external audit engagements with a primary focus on allowance for loan losses.
Why M&A Could Turn a Corner in 2025
Bank executives and directors are more positive on M&A in 2025, according to Bank Director’s 2025 Bank M&A Survey, buoyed by stronger bank stocks and expectations for lower interest rates. Possible buyers’ motivations haven’t changed much; they’re still interested in driving scale and adding low-cost core deposits, says Patrick Vernon, a strategy and transaction advisory senior manager at Crowe. Meanwhile, potential sellers might consider reducing commercial real estate concentrations or high cost, noncore deposits to maximize the price they could get in a sale.
Topics include:
- Motivations for M&A
- Low Cost Deposits
- Increased Competition by Nonbanks
- Positioning for Better Prices
Bank Director’s 2025 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 2025 issue of Bank Director magazine.