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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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 rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BKU is 47.50 USD with a low forecast of 42.00 USD and a high forecast of 55.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 46.940
Low
42.00
Averages
47.50
High
55.00
Current: 46.940
Low
42.00
Averages
47.50
High
55.00
About BKU
BankUnited, Inc. is a bank holding company of BankUnited (the Bank). The Bank provides a full range of commercial lending and both commercial and consumer deposit services through banking centers located in Florida, the New York metropolitan area and Dallas, Texas, and a comprehensive suite of wholesale products to customers through an Atlanta office focused on the Southeast region. The Bank’s lending products include commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, residential mortgages and other consumer loans. It offers traditional deposit products including commercial and consumer checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts and certificates of deposit with a variety of terms and rates, as well as a robust suite of treasury, payments and cash management services. The Bank provides certain commercial lending and deposit products through national platforms and certain consumer deposit products through an online channel.
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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