Major banks are reportedly exploring acquiring Fiserv's debit-card networks, STAR and Accel. This potential acquisition aims to circumvent federal caps on debit-card transaction fees for large banks. A law limits these fees when transactions are routed through outside networks, but not on bank-owned networks. By owning a network, banks can bypass this regulation and potentially increase their revenue. The acquisition of Discover by Capital One demonstrated the advantage of owning a network that eliminates intermediaries. These network fees represent billions of dollars annually across the industry. Banks argue that current fee caps hinder their ability to offer customer rewards and services. While discussions have occurred, no deal is certain, and some banks have expressed doubts about proceeding. Concerns about potential backlash from lawmakers, regulators, and merchants are also a significant factor.