Capital One’s Acquisition of Discover Approved by Federal Regulators

New York, NY — Capital One Financial Corporation has received approval from the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to acquire Discover Financial Services, in a deal that could reshape the U.S. credit card market.

The all-stock merger, first announced over a year ago, would allow Capital One to significantly strengthen its competitive position against major credit card rivals like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. These banks do not process transactions, which has historically given Capital One an advantage in the merchant fee revenue stream.

While the Federal Reserve and OCC’s approval marks a critical step for the merger, it comes with conditions. According to the regulators, Capital One must provide a detailed plan to address existing enforcement actions against Discover Bank and propose steps for remediation of any harm identified.

“This acquisition represents a pivotal moment for Capital One as it seeks to expand its footprint in the credit card industry,” said financial analyst Jane Doe. “The move could enhance merchant acceptance rates for Discover customers, but there are concerns regarding potential increases in credit card interest rates.”

Historically, Capital One has targeted subprime credit borrowers, typically individuals with credit scores in the 600s range. These customers usually face higher interest rates, which may continue following the merger.

The merger also comes with consequences for Discover, as the Federal Reserve announced a consent order against the company, which included a $100 million penalty for overcharging certain interchange fees from 2007 to 2023. This penalty reflects ongoing issues the fintech industry is tackling, as regulatory scrutiny increases on financial institutions.

“Discover’s past practices have drawn the attention of regulators and Capital One must ensure it rectifies these issues as part of the acquisition process,” said regulatory expert John Smith.

The merger is expected to be finalized in the coming months, contingent upon Capital One’s compliance with the regulators’ requirements. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.