First Internet Bancorp (INBK) reported a robust 21% surge in quarterly revenue, successfully managing an uptick in criticized loans while laying the groundwork for growth in its fintech and SBA lending segments for the coming year.
Klarna Group confronts a wave of class action lawsuits alleging it downplayed rising loan loss risks in its buy-now-pay-later portfolio ahead of its 2025 NYSE debut. The legal challenges cast a shadow over the fintech's post-IPO performance and have sparked a broader debate about transparency in the rapidly growing BNPL sector.
B.Riley initiates coverage on BrightSpire Capital (BRSP) with a Buy rating, highlighting its robust cash position and improved credit quality as key drivers for future loan originations, while its stock trades at a discount to book value.
Klarna Group faces a dual challenge: surging commercial demand for its 'buy now, pay later' services and intensifying legal scrutiny over alleged IPO disclosure failures regarding credit risk. The stock's sharp decline shifts investor focus to upcoming quarterly results and credit quality metrics.
Barclays raises Astera Labs' price target to $165, naming it a top pick for AI integration plays in its 2026 semiconductor outlook, while contrasting analyst views highlight the evolving debate on AI's infrastructure demands.
S&P strips Whirlpool of its investment-grade rating, citing financial pressures, as the appliance giant books significant impairments while gearing up for a major 2026 product showcase.
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.
A major stake increase by O'Donnell Financial in the iShares AAA CLO Active ETF (CLOA) highlights institutional interest in high-grade, actively managed securitized credit as a source of yield in a complex rate environment.
In a strategic push beyond traditional lending, Ares Management has seized operational control of a multi-club football group and orchestrated a $1.6 billion financing to create a new global personal care platform, Evermark. The moves signal the firm's aggressive expansion into high-profile, control-oriented credit opportunities.
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.
While the financial sector remains the economy's cornerstone, policy headwinds have capped its recent performance. We analyze one credit rater and a fintech disruptor that show resilience, alongside a legacy asset manager facing challenges.
Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH) posted a mixed fourth quarter, with revenue falling short of expectations but adjusted earnings soaring past estimates. The company credits its disciplined operational focus and expanding product portfolio for the profit strength, even as it navigates a softer top-line environment.
London-based Silphium Asset Management has liquidated its entire $6.2 million position in the Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT), a move that raises questions about institutional appetite for long-duration credit amid shifting economic forecasts.
American Express reported a 10% revenue surge to $72 billion for 2025, driven by strong premium card demand and disciplined credit. Executives project 9-10% growth for 2026, betting on younger customers and strategic tech investments to sustain momentum.
Allegro MicroSystems (ALGM) has restructured its credit facilities, securing $285 million in new term loans maturing in 2030. The move provides the semiconductor firm with fresh capital for corporate initiatives as it navigates a capital-intensive sector while maintaining a premium market valuation.
B. Riley initiates coverage of Adamas Trust (ADAM) with a Buy rating and a $9 price target, citing the REIT's strategic portfolio pivot towards higher-quality Agency RMBS as a key driver for potential revaluation.
LendingClub Corp. (LC) shares tumbled sharply this week, extending losses for a third consecutive session after the company announced a shift to fair value accounting. The move, aimed at aligning revenue with credit costs, spooked investors despite the fintech firm reporting a 164% surge in annual net income.
Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH) delivered robust fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, meeting expectations through strategic partner expansions, improved credit health, and strengthened capital positioning. Management outlines a 2026 roadmap focused on sustainable growth, deposit mix optimization, and leveraging AI across operations.
Axos Financial (NYSE: AX) reported strong fiscal Q2 2026 results, with net income jumping to $128.4 million. Driven by broad-based loan growth and contributions from Verdant Commercial Capital, the digital bank highlighted expanding margins, improved credit metrics, and a confident outlook for continued mid-teens annual loan growth.
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.
