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 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."

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.

House Financial Services Committee ranking member Maxine Waters, D-Calif., led a group of Democrats in challenging Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the current state of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

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.