The purpose of this thesis is to examine the trend and impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the European and Italian banking sector. The study will provide a comprehensive overview of the M&A activity in the European banking industry and then focus on the Italian banking sector to provide a more in-depth analysis. The research will be based on both primary and secondary sources and will include a review of academic literature, regulatory data, and case studies. The findings of the study will highlight the key drivers and challenges of M&A in the banking sector and the impact of these transactions on stakeholders such as shareholders, employees, and customers.