Understanding the Potential Impact of Capital One’s Acquisition of Discover

On February 20, 2024, Capital One Financial Corporation (“Capital One”) shook the financial landscape by announcing its ambitious plan to acquire its rival, Discover Financial Services (“Discover”), in a landmark $35.3 billion all-stock transaction . This proposed merger, if approved by regulators, will herald the convergence of two giants in the credit card industry, promising significant implications for consumers, businesses, and the broader financial and electronic payments ecosystem.