NEW YORK (AP) — Capital One said Wednesday it plans to offer $265 billion in loans, investments and philanthropic projects as part of its pending $35 billion merger with Discover Financial. The plan is aimed at appeasing federal banking regulators, who were initially skeptical about approving the merger, which would create the world’s largest credit card company if it goes through.
The $265 billion, five-year community plan consists of several Capital One initiatives, including a plan to lend $200 billion to low- and moderate-income consumers, $44 billion in community development work, and hundreds of millions of dollars to nonprofits, small businesses and minority-owned financial institutions.
Capital One announced in February that it plans to buy and merge with Discover Financial Services, creating the nation’s seventh-largest bank and the largest credit card company. Capital One would also acquire Discover’s payments network, a rare asset.
Regulators, however, have been lukewarm about the deal, and several community and consumer groups have expressed concern or concerns about the size of the merged company, fearing it could reduce competition and limit Capital One and Discover’s exposure to the credit card market.
Notably, Capital One is including credit card lending as part of its plan. The McLean, Virginia-based company plans to offer $125 billion in credit card loans to low- and moderate-income consumers, as well as $75 billion in auto loans. Historically, banks would offer small business and mortgage lending programs, but Capital One doesn’t have a mortgage lending division to do that.
Consumer groups are expected to put heavy pressure on the Biden administration to ensure the deal is good for both consumers and shareholders.
“There’s an irony to the reason Capital One isn’t making mortgage commitments here: They got out of the mortgage business seven years ago and broke the promises they made the last time they bluffed regulators into going through with a merger,” said Jesse Van Tol, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a group that often works with banks to develop these community loan programs. NCRC didn’t work with Capital One on this plan, but has worked with Capital One on similar programs in the past when it has done mergers.
Capital One said the plan was developed in partnership with the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, NeighborWorks America, the Opportunity Finance Network and the Woodstock Institute.
“Throughout this process, we were encouraged by Capital One’s ownership of areas for improvement and openness to discussing ideas outside of their comfort zone. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver on the plan’s commitments and help direct capital to the communities that need it most,” said Harold Pettigrew, president and CEO of OFN.
Capital One also pledged not to close any branches as part of the merger and to continue to open more branches in low-income neighborhoods. The bank also pledged to keep a third of its branches in low- to moderate-income census tracts, with plans to open more cafes — a type of branch that serves as a community center, coffee shop and meeting space — in those neighborhoods as well.
“This plan delivers impactful, scalable solutions for low- and moderate-income communities, and its commitments and ambitions reflect the robust, candid dialogue that drove its development,” said Andres Navarrete, executive vice president and chief external affairs officer at Capital One, in a statement.