- The long-awaited regulatory approval of the M&T Bank's purchase of Hudson City Bancorp, and the relatively quick green light for BB&T's acquisition of Susquehanna Bancshares has lifted M&A animal spirits in the regional bank sector.
- Another possible buyer could be Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) - its done well on its annual stress tests, and has expressed a willingness to look into deals. There's also Memphis-based First Horizon National (NYSE:FHN), though at least one activist believes the bank is more target than hunter.
- Possible sellers include First Niagara Financial (NASDAQ:FNFG), which has already put itself on the block.
- A target for BBT or Regions might be Georgia's Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV), with $27B in assets, and an activist investor pushing for a sale.
- Another target might be Astoria Financial (NYSE:AF), with $15.3B in assets, and a neighbor in New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB) which might be on the hunt for acquisitions.