Employer.com has made a surprise offer to acquire Level, a fintech startup that abruptly shut down last week after failing to find a buyer, according to a report by The Information. This move comes on the heels of Employer.com's acquisition of accounting startup Bench, which also shut down suddenly, leaving thousands of customers locked out of their accounts.

Level, founded in 2018 by early Square employee Paul Aaron, had raised a significant $30.8 million in funding from high-profile investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures. The startup offered dental and vision benefits products to companies, but was forced to shut down after failing to secure a buyer. The exact reasons behind Level's demise remain unclear.

Employer.com's Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Charney, confirmed the offer, stating that it is currently "with legal." This implies that the acquisition is still in the negotiation phase, and its outcome is uncertain. If successful, the acquisition would mark Employer.com's second major deal in just over a week, following the acquisition of Bench.

The acquisition of Bench, which was announced on December 30, is still being finalized, with details yet to be disclosed. According to sources, Bench struggled in part due to its push to embrace AI and other automation tools in recent years. The sudden shutdown of both Level and Bench has left thousands of customers scrambling to find alternative providers.

The fintech industry has been experiencing a wave of consolidations and acquisitions in recent years, as companies seek to expand their offerings and improve their competitive edge. Employer.com's aggressive expansion strategy, marked by its acquisition of two struggling startups in quick succession, is likely to have significant implications for the industry.

As the fintech landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Employer.com's acquisitions will shape the market. One thing is certain, however: the company's bold moves have sent a clear signal of its intention to become a major player in the fintech space.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, and for more fintech news, sign up for TechCrunch Fintech here.