Bank M&A

Business

Bank of America Doubles Down on Auto Finance, Expands Digital and Branch Strategy Amid New Retirement Program Push

Bank of America extends its partnership with Volvo Car Financial Services through 2030, solidifying its position in automotive lending. Concurrently, the bank joins JPMorgan Chase in matching contributions to the new federal 'Trump Accounts' child savings program, while advancing a dual-track expansion in digital services and physical branches.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lloyds Banking Group's Rally Sparks Valuation Debate: Is the Stock Still a Buy?

Shares in Lloyds Banking Group have surged over 18% in three months, reigniting investor interest. As the stock hovers near analyst targets, a key question emerges: does the UK banking giant still offer value, or has the market run ahead of itself?

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Signaling Aggressive Push for Bank Deregulation

President Donald Trump's selection of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank is widely seen as a move to accelerate the rollback of post-crisis financial rules and align regulatory policy more closely with White House objectives, analysts say.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Seacoast Banking Sees Strong Momentum After Villages Acquisition, Sets Ambitious 2026 Targets

Florida-based Seacoast Banking Corporation (SBCF) capped off 2025 with robust loan growth and margin expansion, fueled by its recent acquisition of Villages Bancorporation. Management outlined confident guidance for the coming year, forecasting significant earnings per share growth and improved returns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to Lead Central Bank, Signaling Hawkish Shift

President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor known for his hawkish views and nuanced stance on Bitcoin, to chair the central bank. The move sets the stage for a contentious Senate confirmation battle and could herald a significant shift in U.S. monetary policy.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Banking on a Traditionalist for an Unconventional Economic Moment

President Donald Trump announces his intent to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, seeking a policy shift aligned with his economic vision amid debates over inflation and the Fed's independence.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank Posts Record Profit Amid Broad-Based Growth, Shadowed by Fresh Legal Scrutiny

Deutsche Bank's 2025 net profit nearly doubled to €7.1bn, fueled by revenue gains and cost cuts across all divisions, even as German prosecutors launch a money-laundering investigation linked to the lender.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Lloyds Banking Group Announces £1.75bn Share Buyback and Dividend Hike Amid Regulatory Balancing Act

Lloyds Banking Group has unveiled a significant capital return to shareholders, launching a £1.75 billion share buyback and raising its dividend by 15%. The move follows robust full-year results and digital progress, but unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing regulatory scrutiny and strategic reinvestment needs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, Setting Stage for Clash Over Central Bank Independence

President Trump's nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank is seen as a pivotal test of its political independence, potentially aligning monetary policy more closely with White House objectives.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Schwab Consolidates Wealth and Banking Under Veteran Leader Neesha Hathi in Major Restructuring

Charles Schwab announces a strategic reorganization, merging its wealth advisory and banking divisions into a single unit led by long-time executive Neesha Hathi, alongside other key leadership changes.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for Central Bank's Top Job

President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and longtime critic of its recent policy, to be the next chair of the central bank, setting up a potential shift in monetary policy amid ongoing tensions over interest rates and Fed independence.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to Helm Central Bank

President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and critic of current monetary policy, to succeed Jerome Powell as Chair of the Federal Reserve, setting the stage for a potential shift in the central bank's direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brazil's Digital Banking Giant Nubank Clears Key Hurdle for U.S. Expansion with Conditional National Charter

Nubank, the Latin American fintech leader, has secured conditional approval from the OCC for a U.S. national bank charter, setting an 18-month timeline to launch and challenging incumbent banks with its digital-first model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to Succeed Powell, Signaling Major Shift for Central Bank

President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and longtime critic of current policy, as the next Fed chair. The move, seen as an effort to align the central bank more closely with White House priorities, could redefine its historic independence and monetary policy direction.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Northeast Bank's Loan Surge and New SMB Product Spark Investor Debate Amid Rising Charge-Offs

Northeast Bank's Q2 2026 results reveal a bank in transition: record loan growth and a promising new small business product are countered by rising charge-offs and a token dividend, leaving analysts divided on its investment narrative.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Deutsche Bank Eyes Return to Life Insurance with Potential Stake in Frankfurter Leben

Deutsche Bank and its asset manager DWS are in preliminary talks to acquire a significant minority stake in Fosun-owned Frankfurter Leben, signaling a strategic reversal a decade after exiting the sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bank of America Bullish on Apellis, Upgrades to 'Buy' on Strong Drug Launch and Kidney Disease Prospects

Bank of America has upgraded Apellis Pharmaceuticals (APLS) to 'Buy,' citing robust early adoption of its drug Empaveli and significant undervaluation of its potential in treating rare kidney diseases, despite a more cautious outlook from Wells Fargo.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Restaurant Chains Shutter Dozens of Locations Amid Bankruptcy Wave

A growing list of casual dining chains are turning to bankruptcy court and closing underperforming stores as heavy debt loads and shifting consumer habits take their toll. The latest casualty, FAT Brands, has moved to permanently close 32 locations and reject their leases.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cullen/Frost Bankers Beats Expectations in Q4 2025, Eyes Growth Amid Rate Uncertainty

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. reports strong quarterly earnings, driven by disciplined credit management and strategic expansion, while outlining a cautious yet opportunistic outlook for 2026 in a shifting rate environment.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

NewtekOne Caps Third Year as a Bank with Strong Deposit Growth, Eyes Credit Improvement

The technology-focused lender reported solid 2025 earnings, highlighted accelerating deposit inflows and a strategic shift away from its legacy SBA portfolio. Management forecasts continued growth for 2026, banking on its digital offerings and a key securitization success.

Jan 30, 2026