The two Southeast banks agreed to combine in a transaction valued at $8.6 billion. Synovus CEO Kevin Blair would be chief executive of the combined bank, but a slim majority of board members would come from Pinnacle.

A "large institutional investor" will provide funding to assist Rithm in acquiring as much as $1.5 billion worth of residential transition loans.

A July pickup in activity is just a start, experts say. The banking industry's drive for scale and greater efficiency is expected to drive a renewed wave of consolidation, pushing the institution count lower.

Capital One closed the deal to buy the credit card provider in May and as part of the review process, decided to exit its home equity lending business.

Last October's structural reorganization prepped the firm for this year's volatility.

The CEOs of Bank of New York Mellon and Northern Trust have had at least one discussion about a potential merger, according to a Wall Street Journal article. On Monday, a spokesperson for Northern Trust said the bank "is fully committed to remaining independent."

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau pinpointed five rules that it wants the White House budget office to review. Details, however, are sparse.

Citigroup Inc. is structuring the so-called collateralized fund obligation, which will include both debt and equity portions.

This potential transaction would be part of a broader trend of mortgage lenders and servicing players converging, such as Rocket's recent acquisition of Mr. Cooper.

In remarks at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference, the trade group's CEO also acknowledged the need for some guardrails to remain in place.