Investment Bankers Drive $1.43 Trillion M&A Surge

In 2024, Wall Street experienced a resurgence in dealmaking, with U.S. companies announcing over $1.43 trillion in mergers and acquisitions, the highest since 2021. This increase, fueled by economic growth and more relaxed regulations, signals an end to the M&A freeze that began in 2022. Notably, 96 megadeals exceeding $5 billion were announced globally, generating approximately $33.4 billion in advisory fees, a 7% rise from the previous year. The top private equity bankers in Europe, such as HSBC’s Kamal Jabre and Bredin Prat’s Olivier Assant, also benefitted significantly from the robust deal activity. Investment banks are optimistic about the potential for a continued uptick in M&A, with industry leaders foreseeing a return to historical averages in deal volume. The combination of these factors positions both American and European markets for a dynamic year ahead in private capital financing and deal-making activities.