Though the economy is going through a rough patch the climate still looks good for mergers and acquisitions, as financial institutions seek to build on competitive advantage, broaden customer base and embrace a future guided by AI. On this episode, the first of two parts, Stevemn Ramirez of Beyond the Arc (left) and Joe Sullivan of Market Insights (right) and break down the ins and outs of the M&A climate and delineate what drives success in this marketplace niche.