Leading Analyst Mayo Predicts Deregulation Will Ignite Bank M&A Surge: Here Are His Acquisition Picks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 04 2025
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Should l Buy BKU?
Source: CNBC
Deregulation and M&A Boom: Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo suggests that investors are overlooking a potential surge in bank mergers and acquisitions driven by a favorable regulatory environment, which he describes as the best in three decades.
Regulatory Changes: Mayo highlights that upcoming regulatory changes, including faster deal approvals and reduced scrutiny, could enhance banks' ability to merge and acquire, with expectations of continued deregulation through 2028.
Performance Trends: Historically, banks have outperformed during periods of deregulation, similar to trends observed in the late 1990s, indicating a potential for significant growth in the sector.
Top Takeover Candidates: Mayo identified several banks as likely takeover targets based on a comprehensive screening process, with top candidates including BankUnited, Banc of California, and First Horizon, among others.
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Analyst Views on BKU
Wall Street analysts forecast BKU stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 47.890
Low
42.00
Averages
47.50
High
55.00
Current: 47.890
Low
42.00
Averages
47.50
High
55.00
About BKU
BankUnited, Inc. is the bank holding company of BankUnited, N.A., a national bank, with operations in Florida, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Morristown, New Jersey, and Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions, and offers certain commercial lending and deposit products through national platforms. Its commercial loans include secured and unsecured lines of credit, formula-based lines of credit, equipment loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate term loans and lines of credit, mortgage warehouse lines, SBA and USDA product offerings, Export-Import Bank financing products, trade finance and business acquisition finance credit facilities. It offers commercial and retail deposit products across its primary geographic footprint and certain commercial deposit, payments and treasury management products and services nationally.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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