U.S. banks saw higher third-quarter 2025 profits due to increased merger and acquisition activity and related fees.

A surge in merger and acquisition activity has significantly boosted profits for major U.S. banks in the third quarter of 2025, driven by increased corporate deal volume and higher fees from advisory services. Financial institutions reported stronger-than-expected earnings, with revenue from investment banking rising notably. The trend reflects growing confidence in the economy and increased corporate restructuring efforts.