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Fifth Third Bancorp will acquire Comerica in an all-stock deal valued at $10.9 billion, creating one of the 20 largest U.S. banks with nearly $288 billion in assets. It’s the biggest regional-bank merger since the 2019 BB&T–SunTrust tie-up, marking a comeback for consolidation after years of regulatory caution. Executives cited efficiency, scale, and customer reach as driving forces, and a more accommodating regulatory mood has opened the door for deals that once would have drawn heavy scrutiny.

The broader message is that midsize banks are being pushed to bulk up or risk being left behind. With higher funding costs, deposit competition, and surging tech-spend needs, scale is now a prerequisite for survival. If this merger sets precedent, it could trigger a new wave of regional consolidation, reshaping how capital, credit, and competition flow through America’s banking system.