The discussions, which have taken place over the last several months, suggest a strategic shift as banks look to deepen their grip on the underlying technology powering modern transactions. While terms of a potential deal remain undisclosed, the market reacted sharply to the news, pushing Fiserv shares up 4.3% in after-hours trading.

Neither the banking institutions nor Fiserv have issued formal confirmation of the negotiations. The interest highlights a broader trend of financial incumbents seeking to reclaim territory from independent fintech players, aiming to integrate proprietary network capabilities directly into their existing consumer and commercial banking ecosystems.