First Citizens Specializes in Distressed Bank Acquisitions

First Citizens has quadrupled its asset base from 2021 to 2023 through two large acquisitions: CIT Group and Silicon Valley Bridge Bank. After spending much of 2022–24 on integration and client-retention efforts, the bank is now focusing on improving its funding profile and continuing its investments in risk management and technology. We also expect First Citizens to remain open to future acquisition opportunities, albeit with strict price discipline. That said, SVBB was a very unique transaction, and it will be difficult to replicate a similarly value-creating deal at that scale.