Across 2025, banking institutions, insurance firms, and investment management firms in prominent global financial locations publicly reported 2,236 transactions , a marginal rise from the 2024 total of 2,219 transactions, which signified a decade’s peak. Simultaneously, the quantity of substantial transactions rose considerably: 93 transactions valued above $1 billion were declared in 2025, contrasting with 54 analogous transactions in 2024. Major deals represented 81% of the combined worth of all transactions within the financial domain.
Roughly 10% of transactions in 2025 were commenced by private capital and venture funds, whereas the remaining transactions were conducted between corporate participants.
According to Omar Ali, the global director of EY’s financial services division, challenging market dynamics in 2025 did not lessen the desire to invest in the industry. Despite a slight increase in the number of transactions, their total worth increased substantially, with the number of transactions surpassing $1 billion growing by more than 70%. Every global region registered a surge in the aggregate worth of mergers and acquisitions.
Europe: pronounced escalation in transaction values
Within Europe, the quantity of mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector expanded by 6% annually to 759 transactions . The complete disclosed transaction value almost tripled from $49.5 billion in 2024 to $141.2 billion in 2025 , attributed to 30 transactions exceeding $1 billion , of which two went beyond $10 billion .
North America: fewer transactions — elevated value
Inside the US and Canada, the transaction volume diminished by 5% , to 947 deals , but the overall mergers and acquisitions worth amplified from $166.9 billion to $188.7 billion . This signifies a market consolidation on more substantial and strategically vital transactions.
Asia and Oceania: consistent expansion
Across Asia and Oceania, the number of transactions grew by 0.8% , to 360 deals , and the total worth increased from $40.4 billion to $65.5 billion .
Industry dynamics
Within Europe, banking transactions rose from 183 to 219, and their valuation from $17.5 billion to $73.5 billion . Within the insurance domain, the number of transactions declined slightly, but their cumulative worth soared more than fourfold to $49.2 billion . Inside the asset management sector, the number of transactions expanded, but their consolidated worth shrank.
Throughout North America, the most significant growth was observed within the banking sector, where transaction value climbed to $119.1 billion , while insurance and asset management exhibited a reduction in total transaction worth.
Across Asia and Oceania, mergers and acquisitions value appreciation was noticed in the banking and insurance segments, alongside cross-border transactions involving regional actors.
EY analysts highlight that reduced inflation and interest rates within major economies could additionally amplify investor assurance in 2026, building the foundation for further escalation in mergers and acquisitions activity in the international financial sector.