Data, delays and loss of focus: operational risks in M&A

When two become one

As a result of the financial crisis, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the financial sector have formed part of a defensive strategy in recent years. Deals forced on financial institutions by regulators mark a distinct break from the strategic expansion of firms prior to the crisis. Regulatory scrutiny of M&A since 2007 has reached a level where banks now consider regulators to be a third party to negotiations.

This increased attention coupled with lessons learnt from some of the forced M&As in