Bank Mergers Face Fresh Antitrust Heat at Justice Department (1)

Top Justice Department antitrust lawyers are weighing a revamp of how they scrutinize bank mergers, complicating further consolidation for an industry that’s facing some of its biggest challenges since the financial crisis.

Four banks have collapsed this year and regulators are seeking to thread a difficult needle. Although US officials have said they’re going to maintain a tough line, there has been significant consolidation — including the purchase of First Republic Bank by JPMorgan Chase & Co., which was already the biggest American lender.

President Joe Biden has made more competition a key policy priority of the administration, but ...