Bank Charter

Business

Five Point Holdings Caps 'Record Year' Amid Housing Headwinds, Eyes Growth Through Land Banking and Entitlements

Despite a challenging housing market, Five Point Holdings (NYSE:FPH) reported record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land sales and the integration of its Hearthstone platform. The company navigated economic uncertainty with disciplined pricing and secured major entitlement approvals to fuel its long-term pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cullen/Frost Bankers Posts Strong Q2 Earnings, Driven by Texas Expansion and Loan Growth

The Texas-based financial institution reported a year-over-year increase in profits, deposits, and loans for the second quarter of 2025. While management highlighted the success of its organic branch expansion strategy, it also acknowledged intensifying competitive pressures in key lending markets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

FAT Brands' Bankruptcy Triggers Second Wave of Smokey Bones Closures, Accelerating Shift to Twin Peaks

Amid Chapter 11 proceedings, FAT Brands and its affiliate Twin Hospitality are shuttering an additional 14 Smokey Bones BBQ restaurants nationwide. The move follows earlier closures and conversions, highlighting a strategic pivot toward the more profitable Twin Peaks sports bar concept as the parent company restructures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Saks OFF 5TH Slashes Store Footprint, Closing Dozens of Outlets in Bankruptcy Restructuring

Saks Global, the parent of luxury retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, will shutter the vast majority of its Saks OFF 5TH off-price stores and all Last Call locations, marking a dramatic retreat from the discount luxury sector as it navigates Chapter 11.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Visa's Q1 Earnings Loom: Can Investors Bank on Dividends for Steady Income?

As Visa prepares to report its first-quarter results, investors are weighing its dividend strategy against earnings expectations. We break down the capital required to generate targeted monthly income from its payouts and what moving parts could affect the yield.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Trump's Crypto Empire: A Billion-Dollar Portfolio and Regulatory Shifts Under Scrutiny

A new report details how Donald Trump's family has amassed a vast cryptocurrency portfolio, coinciding with a regulatory pullback by the SEC and DOJ. The moves raise questions about conflicts of interest as a Trump-backed venture seeks federal banking approval.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

XRP at a Crossroads: Why a $50 Bet Could Pay Off as Crypto Winter Thaws

Despite a bruising year, XRP's legal clarity, banking ambitions, and technical upgrades position it as a speculative recovery play for investors eyeing the next market cycle.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SoFi Shatters Records with First $1 Billion Quarter, Charts Aggressive Crypto and AI Expansion

The digital financial services giant SoFi reported blockbuster Q4 2025 results, surpassing $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time. Fueled by explosive member growth and a booming tech platform, CEO Anthony Noto outlined an ambitious roadmap into crypto, stablecoins, and AI, signaling a new phase of aggressive expansion beyond traditional banking.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Analysts Warn of Potential Bitcoin Retreat to $60K Amid Market Correction, Eye Long-Term Institutional Shift

Bitcoin's recent slump below $74,000 has analysts weighing the risk of a deeper pullback toward $60,000. While Bernstein suggests the downturn may be a late-cycle correction rather than a new crypto winter, the firm points to shifting central bank policies and institutional adoption as keys to the next rally.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Columbia Financial to Acquire Northfield Bancorp in $597 Million Deal, Sets 2026 Timeline for Full Public Conversion

Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) has announced a definitive agreement to merge with Northfield Bancorp in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $597 million. The deal, slated to close in early Q3 2026, coincides with Columbia's planned "second-step" conversion to a fully public company, a move executives say will unlock value and create a leading regional bank in the New Jersey-New York metro area.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Subway Franchisee MTF Enterprises Seeks Chapter 11 Protection Amid Cash Flow Crisis

MTF Enterprises, a major operator of 43 Subway restaurants across four states, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing unsustainable debt burdens from merchant cash advance loans. The move highlights ongoing pressures within the franchise sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

FAT Brands Seeks Chapter 11 Protection Amid $1.3 Billion Debt Restructuring

The parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, and Twin Peaks files for bankruptcy in Texas, citing inflationary pressures and shifting consumer demand, while vowing to keep restaurants open.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Mortgage Market Finds Calm After the Storm: Where to Find the Best Rates in 2026

Following years of turbulence, mortgage rates have stabilised, with major lenders offering sub-4% deals. As the Bank of England signals further rate cuts, we analyse the best fixed and variable options for buyers and remortgagers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Columbia Financial Surges on $597 Million Northfield Bancorp Acquisition Deal

Shares of Columbia Financial (CLBK) rallied sharply after the community bank announced a definitive agreement to acquire Northfield Bancorp, a move set to create New Jersey's third-largest regional bank and significantly boost future earnings.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Spain's Golden Reserves Hit Record High, Echoes of 'Moscow Gold' Linger

The Bank of Spain's gold and foreign exchange reserves soared to nearly €94 billion in 2025, a historic peak fueled by global demand. As bullion's role evolves, the nation's complex history with its gold—from the Civil War-era 'Moscow gold' controversy to modern monetary strategy—offers a poignant backdrop.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Insider Confidence Signals: Three High-Growth Stocks to Watch as Markets Show Resilience

Amid a backdrop of cautious market optimism, companies with significant insider ownership are drawing investor attention. We examine three firms where those closest to the business are putting their money, spanning biotech, advanced semiconductors, and regional banking.

Feb 2, 2026

World

MSF Chief Warns of 'Catastrophic' Fallout as Israel Bans Aid Group from Gaza

The head of Médecins Sans Frontières warns that Israel's decision to terminate the group's operations in Gaza and the West Bank will deepen the humanitarian crisis, calling it a pretext to restrict vital aid.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

End of an Era: Eddie Bauer, 106-Year-Old Outdoor Pioneer, to Shutter All North American Stores

The iconic outdoor apparel brand Eddie Bauer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and close its physical stores across the U.S. and Canada, marking a decisive shift to a digital-first future while retaining some international retail presence.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

PING Capital Trims Stake in Banco BBVA Argentina Amid Volatile Year

The investment fund sold $3.87 million worth of shares in the Argentine bank, reflecting a strategic portfolio adjustment as the lender navigates a challenging economic environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Coastal Financial's Stock Slide Sparks Debate: Is the Pullback a Buying Opportunity or a Warning Sign?

Shares of Coastal Financial (CCB) have retreated sharply from recent highs, reigniting the debate over the fintech-focused bank's premium valuation. While long-term performance remains strong, current momentum is fading, leaving investors to weigh high growth expectations against traditional valuation metrics.

Feb 2, 2026