Land Banking

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

Frost Bank Charts Independent Course as Texas Banking Landscape Consolidates

Amid a flurry of bank mergers and acquisitions reshaping Texas, San Antonio-based Frost Bank is doubling down on its organic growth strategy. CEO Phil Green asserts the bank has "zero interest" in M&A, positioning itself to win customers dislocated by industry upheaval.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fifth Third Wraps Up $10.9B Comerica Takeover in Record Time, Reshaping U.S. Banking Landscape

Fifth Third Bancorp has finalized its acquisition of Comerica in under four months, a swift consolidation that underscores a new era of accelerated bank mergers driven by regulatory shifts and the relentless pursuit of scale.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

European Fintech Giants Eye U.S. Market, But Banking License Hurdles Loom Large

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Jelou Secures $10M to Bring AI-Powered Banking to WhatsApp in U.S. Expansion

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Polestar Secures $400 Million Lifeline from Banking Giants, Bolstering EV Ambitions

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tarabut Bolsters Open Banking Platform with Strategic Acquisition of AI Firm Servable

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Truist Financial's Steady Q4 Amid Mixed Bag for Diversified Banking Giants

As major U.S. banks wrap up their fourth-quarter earnings, a clear divergence emerges. While PNC and Bank of America post strong results, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase face headwinds. Truist Financial charts a middle course, meeting revenue expectations as the sector navigates a complex economic landscape.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

HSBC Doubles Down on Hong Kong Investment Banking Amid Strategic Pivot

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.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Weyerhaeuser Navigates Brutal Lumber Markets, Bets on Land and Climate for Growth

Despite posting a quarterly loss in its core wood products unit amid 'extremely challenging' markets, Weyerhaeuser closed 2025 with strategic pivots. The forestry giant is doubling down on its land management and nascent 'Climate Solutions' business, while managing a disciplined capital return to shareholders.

Jan 31, 2026

Business

Banking on Value: One Regional Gem Shines as Sector Outperforms, While Two Others Raise Caution

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.

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

Timberland Bancorp Boosts Quarterly Dividend to $0.29, Signaling Financial Strength

Timberland Bancorp (NASDAQ:TSBK) announces a dividend increase to $0.29 per share, reflecting sustained profitability and a commitment to shareholder returns. The move aligns the regional bank's yield with industry averages while maintaining a conservative payout ratio.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Landlords' Guide: Navigating the Buy-to-Let Mortgage Market in February 2026

As interest rates show signs of stabilization, we analyze the current landscape for buy-to-let mortgages, examining the best deals, key considerations for investors, and expert insights on navigating a market still shaped by recent volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Sanctioned Russian Military Transport Lands in Cuba Amid Heightened U.S. Pressure

A U.S.-sanctioned Russian cargo aircraft, linked to prior military support in Venezuela, landed at a Cuban military airfield. The arrival coincides with a declared U.S. national emergency over Cuba and fuels concerns over Moscow's strategic activities in America's backyard.

Feb 2, 2026

White House Convenes Crypto and Banking Leaders Amid Market Turmoil

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.

Feb 2, 2026

US

Portland Streets Gridlocked as Hundreds March Against ICE, Clash with Federal Agents

A major protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brought parts of downtown Portland to a standstill Sunday, culminating in a tense confrontation with federal officers outside a detention facility.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Sicilian Town of Niscemi Teeters on the Brink as Landslide Exposes Decades of Neglect

A catastrophic landslide has torn through the historic Sicilian town of Niscemi, forcing mass evacuations and exposing a legacy of bureaucratic delays and unheeded geological warnings that left the community perilously vulnerable.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

India Unveils Sweeping Financial Sector Overhaul, Eyes Banking Reforms for 2047 Vision

India's latest budget proposes a high-level committee to reshape the financial landscape, alongside major reforms in foreign investment rules and bond markets, aiming to fuel the country's next growth phase.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Nvidia's Landmark $100 Billion OpenAI Deal Hits Roadblocks Amid Strategic Rethink

A landmark investment proposal between AI titans Nvidia and OpenAI has stalled, with both companies reassessing terms amid internal concerns and a shifting competitive landscape, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Feb 2, 2026