The CFPB head, Roy Chopra, has warned US bankers that regulators concerned about financial stability should expect severe scrutiny in merger approvals after the March banking crisis.

Chopra stated that the agency is continuing enforcement despite federal judges delaying CFPB lawsuits due to a Supreme Court challenge.

He hoped for a shift from cheerleader to umpire from regulators, as deals to strengthen the struggling mid-size bank sector have had three of the four largest US bank collapses this year.

Bank executives worry that regulators’ delay and regulatory reform uncertainty have slowed merger activity among healthy banks to historic lows.

Chopra also requested an FDIC bank merger criterion change in May, but declined to discuss prospective changes.

He noted that the FDIC has not delayed divestitures to address competition concerns or placed non-compete clauses on personnel who might work at competitor banks.

Federal judges have halted at least six of the CFPB’s 20 active enforcement proceedings until the Supreme Court rules on its funding.