The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency cleared the final regulatory hurdle for Huntington Bancshares’ acquisition of Cadence Bank on December 22, 2025, setting the transaction on track to close on February 1, 2026. The approval confirms that Huntington will absorb Cadence’s balance sheet, which at the time of the original acquisition announcement in October 2025 comprised roughly $53 billion in assets and $44 billion in deposits.
The merger expands Huntington’s geographic reach into Texas and the broader Southern United States, complementing its recent purchase of Veritex Community Bank. Combined, the banks will rank among the top ten U.S. banks by assets, with projected totals of about $276 billion in assets and $220 billion in deposits. Huntington’s management projects pre‑tax cost savings of roughly $365 million and has pledged that no branch closures will occur during integration.
Financially, Huntington posted a Q3 2025 net income of $629 million, up from $530 million in Q4 2024, while Cadence reported $130.9 million in net income for Q1 2025. The addition of Cadence’s consumer and community banking base is expected to diversify Huntington’s revenue mix and enhance its commercial lending capabilities.
CEO Steve Steinour described the deal as a “transformational step” and a “significant milestone” in Huntington’s growth strategy. He emphasized that the integration plan is well mapped, that the combined entity will operate without branch closures, and that the complementary nature of Cadence’s consumer focus and Veritex’s commercial orientation will strengthen the bank’s overall franchise.
Market participants reacted positively to the approval, with analysts noting the strategic benefits of entering high‑growth Texas markets and the potential for significant revenue and margin synergies. The transaction is viewed as a key component of Huntington’s dual‑acquisition strategy, positioning the bank for continued earnings momentum and an expanded regional footprint.
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