Capital One Bank

Capital One Financial Corporation, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a prominent player in the banking industry, serving over 100 million customers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as of November 2025. Founded in 1994 by Richard Fairbank and Nigel Morris, the company began as a spin-off from Signet Banking Corp. with a focus on credit card lending. This strategic entry allowed Capital One to quickly establish a strong presence in the U.S. financial services sector.

Over the years, Capital One has expanded its offerings beyond credit cards, venturing into auto finance and retail banking. A pivotal moment in its history was the acquisition of Hibernia National Bank in 2005, which marked its entry into full-service banking and branch operations. This move was followed by other significant acquisitions, such as HSBC’s U.S. credit card business in 2011 and ING Direct’s U.S. operations in 2012, further solidifying its footprint in consumer and commercial banking.

As of November 2025, Capital One operates around 300 branches and 50 Capital One Cafés. These locations are strategically concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, Louisiana, and select urban markets. The company is known for its innovative branch formats that combine traditional banking services with café-style community spaces, offering a unique customer experience.

In February 2024, Capital One announced its acquisition of Discover Financial Services, a move poised to make it the largest U.S. credit card issuer by purchase volume. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance its payments network and accelerate growth in credit card issuance.

Capital One continues to focus on digital transformation and customer experience, while maintaining a selective approach to physical expansion. Its priority growth markets include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston. For commercial real estate professionals, Capital One’s established scale, brand credibility, and evolving branch concepts position it as a significant anchor tenant and a trendsetter in retail banking.