Major European neobanks like Revolut, Monzo, and bunq are renewing their push for a U.S. banking license, betting on regulatory shifts and market potential. Yet, the path is fraught with complexity, geopolitical uncertainty, and fierce competition.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is poised to grant its inaugural stablecoin issuer licenses next month, a key step in the city's comprehensive push to establish a regulated digital asset ecosystem. The move follows a rigorous application process and signals a new era of oversight for the burgeoning sector.
The banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector is poised for a pivotal transformation. As the initial wave of AI and cloud experimentation subsides, 2026 is emerging as the year the industry moves decisively toward operationalizing technology with robust governance, explainability, and compliance at its core.
Fifth Third Bancorp has finalized its acquisition of Comerica Incorporated, a move that consolidates the Midwest banking landscape and creates the nation's ninth-largest bank with nearly $300 billion in assets.
A multi-year investigation in North Georgia has led to the indictment of nine individuals accused of running a sophisticated scheme that falsified vehicle paperwork, enabling unlicensed drivers to illegally purchase and register cars while netting over $1 million.
Senior executives from the cryptocurrency and traditional banking sectors are set to meet with White House officials this week, as policymakers seek to bridge a critical divide over stablecoin regulations following a sharp market downturn.
SEI Investments reported robust fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, driven by growth in private banking and investment management. The firm's strategic moves, including the first close of its Stratos partnership and a key executive hire, signal a focused push to deepen its reach in financial institution channels.
Ripple has obtained a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's CSSF, granting it passporting rights across the European Union. This marks a significant regulatory milestone following recent UK approval and a period of aggressive fundraising and acquisitions.
Fintech startup Jelou has raised $10 million in Series A funding to scale its AI-driven conversational banking platform, Brain, from Latin America to the U.S., enabling payments, verification, and credit services directly within messaging apps.
The Geely-owned electric vehicle maker Polestar has secured a major $400 million equity investment from a consortium led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Standard Chartered Bank, signaling crucial financial backing as it navigates a competitive market.
Bahrain's Tarabut, a regulated open banking platform, acquires AI engineering specialist Servable to embed advanced financial AI capabilities—from risk assessment to fraud detection—directly into its infrastructure for banks and fintechs across the Middle East.
The Austrian government has granted a two-year renewal for the Wolfsberg lithium mining license, with a final decision on production expected by end-2026 as lithium prices rebound strongly.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is poised to grant its inaugural stablecoin issuer licenses in March, with approvals expected for only a select few firms. The move transitions the city's digital asset framework from sandbox testing to a formally regulated market, focusing on stringent risk controls and credible use cases.
HSBC Holdings is aggressively rebuilding its investment banking operations in Hong Kong and key Asian hubs, reallocating senior talent and capital to capture growth in IPOs and capital markets, as its strategic focus shifts decisively eastward.
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth signals the energy giant could significantly ramp up processing of Venezuelan crude at its U.S. refineries, following a pivotal Treasury Department license that eases trade restrictions with Caracas.
In a strategic move to modernize financial services, DXC Technology partners with Ripple to embed digital asset custody and payment solutions directly into legacy core banking systems, aiming to facilitate institutional adoption of blockchain technology.
The banking sector has surged 12.5% in six months, outpacing the broader market. Yet, beneath the headline gains, selectivity is key. We analyze one bank with a unique value proposition poised for sustainable growth and flag two others where the risk-reward appears less compelling for investors.
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?
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.
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.
