Ken McCarthy

Whether the number of deals for 2020 can come close to last year's record-setting level will come down to one question: Can community banks generate strong enough profits in the second half to justify their independence?

An increase in credit union acquisitions of banks has been a blow to the morale of many commercial bankers, and some of their trade organizations are trying to slow down the trend. There may be little they can do.

Christopher Maher is kicking the tires on an "acquisition of size" that would propel the New Jersey bank across the $10 billion-asset mark.

Record oil production has lenders contemplating acquisitions in the region.

The Connecticut company, which will top that asset milestone when it buys United Financial, says it could acquire more banks in coming months.