Congress must create legal clarity for decentralized blockchains
Banks are beginning to engage with decentralized financial infrastructure. But until lawmakers create a foundation for allowing legally recognized entities like LLCs and nonprofits to govern these networks, compliance burdens will hinder full adoption.
The seven largest banking data breaches of 2025
From credit bureaus to software providers, 2025 saw attackers bypass bank defenses by targeting the supply chain and using social engineering.
Top 10 payment stories of 2025
Articles about stablecoins, scams, fintechs, premium credit cards, and open banking were just some of the topics that struck a chord with American Banker subscribers in 2025.
5 times politics impacted banking in 2025
Banks typically prefer to steer clear of politics. But in 2025, politics would not steer clear of banks
How Brian Peret went from inmate to AI academy director
CodeBoxx Academy is filling a void for banks and other companies that desperately need AI experts. Peret’s time behind bars uniquely informed how he runs the school, he says.
It’s all on the line for the CFPB in 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will face an existential crisis in 2026 between the Trump administration’s efforts to shut down the agency and the employee union and consumer advocates who want to stop them.
2025 was a big year for a smaller FDIC
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has made big changes in 2025, including cutting headcount, walking back Biden-era rules and guidance and resetting the agency’s approach to emerging technologies and crypto.
OCC proposing interest on escrow preemption moves
The bank regulator is proposing to strengthen national preemption in the wake of conflicting decisions in related court cases.
With pennies scarce, Treasury weighs in on rounding prices
The Treasury Department issued guidance on how merchants can round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. Banks and retailers have been calling for more clarity from the government amid a penny shortage that stems from the Trump administration’s abrupt decision to halt production of the one-cent coins.
Visa, Fiserv boost agentic AI; U.K. tackles cash, card regs
The card network and bank technology seller partnered to expand AI protocols, while British payment companies face tougher fee disclosures but looser rules for contactless transactions. That and more in the American Banker global payments and fintech roundup.