Chicago Business

Business

Chicago's Downtown Core Faces Unprecedented Office Vacancy Crisis, Raising Economic Alarm

Chicago's downtown office vacancy rate soared to a historic 28.2% at the close of 2025, more than double pre-pandemic levels, as remote work trends and business climate concerns drive a 14th consecutive quarter of record vacancies. Analysts warn of a deepening economic spiral with implications for city services and residents.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Collapses, Marking First U.S. Bank Failure of 2026

For the second consecutive year, a Chicago-based financial institution has become the nation's first bank to fail. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC swiftly arranged for Detroit's First Independence Bank to assume most deposits and assets, ensuring customer funds remain secure.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Metropolitan Capital Bank Fails, Marking Second Consecutive Year of Early U.S. Banking Collapse

For the second year running, a Chicago financial institution has become the nation's first bank failure. Regulators shuttered Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust on Friday, citing unsafe practices and depleted capital. The FDIC facilitated a swift takeover by Detroit's First Independence Bank, ensuring depositors are protected.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Centene's $2.2M Chicago Housing Grant Fuels Debate on Corporate Strategy and Stock Valuation

A major grant from Centene's foundation aims to tackle housing insecurity for justice-involved individuals in Chicago, spotlighting the healthcare giant's community investments as its stock faces persistent headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Bunge Global Earnings Preview: Can the Agribusiness Giant Beat Expectations After a Volatile Year?

Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) is set to release its quarterly earnings Wednesday morning, with investors keen to see if the agribusiness leader can sustain its momentum amid shifting commodity markets and analyst skepticism.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Business Insider to Unveil 2026 VC Rising Stars: Live Q&A with Top Young Investors

Business Insider prepares to release its annual list spotlighting venture capital's most promising young talent. Join a live session with the journalists behind the report and one of the honored investors for insights into career paths and emerging opportunities.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

North Carolina Crowned 'State of the Year' for Business, Marking Third Top Honor Since 2020

Business Facilities magazine has named North Carolina its 'State of the Year' for business climate and economic development, the state's third such win in six years, following a surge of multi-billion dollar investments from tech and manufacturing giants.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond Survival: Eight Trends Redefining Small Business Success in 2026

A new report highlights how small and medium-sized businesses are leveraging AI, hyper-personalization, and sustainable practices not just to adapt, but to lead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Hong Kong Business Confidence Rebounds as Firms Adapt to Geopolitical Headwinds, AmCham Survey Finds

A new survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong reveals a significant uptick in business optimism for 2026, with over half of senior executives expressing a positive outlook despite persistent U.S.-China tensions and global uncertainty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago Capital Trims $12.5M Stake in Surgically Focused Robotic Firm PROCEPT BioRobotics

Amid a steep 60% annual share price decline, investment firm Chicago Capital has significantly reduced its position in PROCEPT BioRobotics, a developer of robotic systems for urological surgery, signaling a portfolio risk reassessment.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

First Business Financial Services Caps 2025 with Strong Quarter, Navigates Isolated CRE Challenge

First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) reported robust 2025 results, driven by resilient margins and core deposit growth, while detailing a contained credit issue in its commercial real estate portfolio and outlining double-digit growth targets for the coming year.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bunge Shares Surge to Three-Year Peak as Agribusiness Giant Rides Market Momentum

Global agribusiness leader Bunge Ltd. (BG) reached a fresh three-year high this week, buoyed by strong technical indicators and sustained momentum in the essential food supply chain sector, even as analyst price targets remain widely dispersed.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Business Partners Charts Course as a New Corporation After 'Excellent' Year

Brookfield Business Partners (BBU) reports a strong 2025 defined by strategic capital moves and operational gains across its portfolio. The company is on the cusp of a major corporate reorganization into a single listed entity, aiming to boost liquidity and attract a wider investor base.

Jan 30, 2026

World

U.S. Treasury Targets Iranian Minister and Businessman in Latest Sanctions Push

The United States has sanctioned Iran's Interior Minister and a prominent businessman, accusing them of human rights abuses and money laundering, as Washington intensifies pressure on Tehran amid ongoing regional tensions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brookfield Business Touts Record Capital Recycling, Nears Corporate Reorganization Milestone

Brookfield Business Partners reported a robust 2025, generating over $2 billion from asset sales, reducing debt, and making strategic acquisitions. The firm is on the cusp of a major corporate restructuring into a single listed entity, aiming to boost liquidity and investor appeal in a shifting global landscape.

Jan 30, 2026

World

UK PM Starmer Lands in Shanghai Amid US Trade Tensions, Leading Largest Business Delegation in Years

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Aon's Q4 Net Profit Soars 136% as Risk Business Drives Strong Performance

The global professional services firm Aon posted a net income of $1.7 billion for the final quarter of 2025, fueled by robust growth in its commercial risk and reinsurance divisions, while full-year revenue climbed 9% to $17.2 billion.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Peloton Slashes 11% of Workforce in Bid to Stem Losses and Refocus on Core Business

Peloton Interactive announces a major restructuring, cutting jobs primarily in tech and corporate roles as new CEO Peter Stern prioritizes cash flow and operational efficiency over expansion, amid a prolonged stock slump and intense competition.

Feb 3, 2026

US

After 14-Year Cold Case, DNA Breakthrough Identifies Man Found Under Chicago Overpass

Forensic genealogy has finally put a name to remains discovered in 2012, closing a long-standing mystery for Illinois authorities and a family.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Kratos Defense Stock Slump Continues: Valuation Concerns Eclipse Strong Drone Business

Despite its leadership in high-demand defense sectors like drones and hypersonics, Kratos Defense & Security's shares face sustained pressure as investors question its sky-high valuation and cash flow.

Feb 2, 2026