Bank M&A Today and Outlook for 2026
Guest: Dave Danielson, Kafafian Group
Podcast Show Notes:
Our This Month In Banking (TMIB) podcast features discussion with colleagues and other industry thought leaders on interesting banking topics. TMIB is available on the last Wednesday of every month here, and on Apple and Android podcast apps for your listening enjoyment. Join us on your commute, at your desk, or at home.
Topic: Bank M&A Today and Outlook for 2026
Today we are joined by Dave Danielson, a Managing Director at The Kafafian Group. Dave is our newest hire, having joined us this past August.
On this episode of This Month in Banking, The Kafafian Group welcomes a new colleague and industry veteran, David Danielson, who recently joined TKG’s Financial Advisory and Management Advisory practices. Leveraging his 25 years of experience across investment banking, corporate finance, and public accounting, David discusses the most critical issues facing community bank M&A. He provides his perspective on the key drivers of consolidation, the challenges of navigating the complex regulatory environment, and the importance of successfully managing the human element of bank mergers. David also shares insights on how community banks can accurately assess valuation and prepare for the technological and regulatory shifts that will define the next decade of banking. Listen and enjoy!
Biography
David Danielson joined The Kafafian Group in August 2025, bringing more than 25 years of experience advising financial institutions on strategic growth, financial performance, and enhancing shareholder value. As part of TKG’s Financial Advisory and Management Advisory practices, he leverages deep technical and leadership expertise to help clients navigate complex financial challenges and uncover actionable opportunities for improvement.
David’s career spans public accounting, investment banking, and corporate finance. He was an Audit Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, focusing on financial services clients, before joining Danielson Associates, where he advised community banks on strategic planning, M&A transactions, capital planning, and valuations. He continued his investment banking career with two other firms serving the community bank sector. Over the course of his investment banking tenure, he worked on more than 60 transactions totaling over $3.2 billion in deal value.
Most recently, David served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at an $11 billion community bank, where he led a full-scale implementation of a customized financial planning platform. He also served as Director of Investor Relations and led the Data Management & Reporting group. In these roles, he oversaw shareholder communications, enterprise-wide data reporting, and led initiatives that supported executive decision-making, budgeting, and board communications.
David holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a BA from Clark University. His board service includes terms on the audit and compensation committees of two community banks, where he provided governance during periods of strategic transition.
David lives in Rockville, Maryland, with his wife and daughter. Outside of work, he is a year-round soccer player, World Cup traveler, and a fan of hiking and musical theater.
Relevant Links:
David Danielson
This podcast episode relates to The Kafafian Group’s Management Advisory, Strategic Management and Financial Advisory services.
Watch for episode 120 of This Month in Banking to be released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and a new episode on the last Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for listening!