After rapid changes in U.S. trade policy, banks and their clients are putting merger deals on ice until the dust settles.

Wholesale firm Ardri's acquisition of The Lending Spot comes after the company installed a mortgage industry veteran as its new president earlier this year.

The global asset manager wanted access to the smaller company's residential mortgage credit strategies, which will become available to a larger investor base.

Following a record-setting 2024, only one transaction involving a credit union buying a bank has been announced so far this year. Seller concerns about regulatory approval and pushback from bank industry groups have contributed to the slowdown.

Apollo will assume about $2.2 billion of private credit and renewable assets from Irradiant, while RRAM will add almost $11 billion of CLO assets to its firm.

The French bank foresees CLO growth in U.S. and Europe but cautions wariness around the current administration's potential impacts to inflation and the economy.

The confabs are a sign that Republicans are getting serious about negotiating the contours of a tax deal, even as the House and Senate are pursuing separate strategies.

Deal advisors said the Trump administration's tariff threats and the specter of inflation have given some bankers reason to pause on acquisition plans. Momentum could still mount, but uncertainty in Washington is a detriment early in the new year.

Borrowers to test court restrictions as record liability management exercises volume continues

Banks are expecting increased M&A activity across the financial sector, but are concerned about acquisition by credit unions and tech integration challenges.