Financial institutions M&A:
Sector trends
January 2019
We highlight the key European M&A trends in the second half of 2018, and provide our insights into the outlook for M&A in 2019
Introduction
As 29 March 2019 draws closer, and the possibility of a ’no deal’ Brexit becomes ever more real, many financial services businesses across Europe are contending with operational uncertainty of monumental proportions. The same businesses are also shouldering the growing strain of market fragmentation, digital transformation, disruptive financial regulation, large-scale IT meltdowns and cybersecurity attacks.
Notwithstanding these pressures, many financial institutions have hardened their resolve that ‘the show must go on’.
Against this backdrop, we analyse M&A activity across 5 main financial services subsectors: Banks, Fintech, Asset/Wealth management, Market infrastructure and Consumer finance. In this report, we highlight the key trends across Europe and the UK in 2018, and provide our insights into the outlook for M&A in 2019 and beyond.
European financial services
M&A trends
Regional and domestic consolidation tops the agenda
Regional and domestic consolidation tops the agenda.
Smaller and medium-sized asset/wealth managers consolidate at a feverish pace
By Gavin Weir
Smaller and mediumsized asset/wealth managers consolidate at a feverish pace.
The relentless march of fintech
2018 has been a transformational year for fintech M&A. Deal values and volumes have reached new heights as established financial institutions pin hopes on well‑placed bets to deliver competitive edge and market share. VC and late‑stage investment firms are also actively stoking the fintech fire.
The face of consumer finance is changing
Deal activity involving credit card businesses blooms— trade consolidators, financial sponsors and big banks see opportunities.
Market infrastructure — deal-making bucking the doom and gloom of Brexit
By Jan Jensen, Hugues Mathez, and Franck De Vita
Payment services M&A retains its spark on the financial services landscape. Stock exchanges poise for strategically significant deals. And, brokers resort to M&A to combat the impact of disruptive regulation.
Videos
Consolidation tops the agenda
White & Case partner Patrick Sarch discusses European financial services M&A and how consolidation tops the agenda.
The relentless march of fintech
White & Case partner Hyder Jumabhoy discusses the impact of fintech on European financial services M&A.
What’s hot and what’s not for financial sponsors across Europe
White & Case partner Gavin Weir discusses what's hot and what’s not for financial sponsors across Europe.
Country hotspots for financial sponsors across Europe
White & Case partner Gavin Weir discusses the key country hot spots for financial sponsors across Europe.