Deal gives Santander ‘final step change’ needed for U.S. growth
The Spanish banking giant is accelerating its U.S. growth plans with the pending acquisition of Webster Financial in Connecticut. The combined entity will be the second-largest foreign-owned bank operating in the country.
Klarna joins Google’s AI protocol; Payoneer expands footprint
The search giant has added Klarna to its growing list of companies that are supporting standards for agentic commerce. Also, Payoneer has added Indonesia and Mexico to its collections network and more in American Banker’s global payments and fintech roundup.
Insider threat cited in $22M Iowa bank fraud case
Prosecutors allege Curtis Weston and a bank insider used fraudulent loans to fund stock market trades, leaving the bank with $20 million in losses.
Bessent offers deregulatory vision, but few specifics
In a contentious House Financial Services Committee oversight hearing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sidestepped questions on the Trump family crypto conflicts of interest and inflation with pugnacious responses to Democratic lawmakers’ questions.
Block doubles down on European ambitions
The payment company opened a new office in Dublin to battle rivals like Adyen, Stripe and PayPal.
Pulte: GSE stock move odds ‘strong,’ but ‘we don’t have to’
Pulte says a GSE stock offering remains likely in 2026, but other policy paths are in play. NMN survey data shows the industry expects broader changes first.
Survey: Bankers say competition for deposits is heating up
Community bankers say credit unions and new fintech entrants are increasing the competition for deposits and loans, even as deregulation is lowering capital and compliance costs, according to a new survey from deposit broker IntraFi.
Global stablecoin uptake could cement the dominance of the US dollar
The “exorbitant privilege” the U.S. has long enjoyed because of the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency would be supercharged if global adoption of stablecoins leads to greatly increased demand.
Banks are not prepared for the industrialization of crypto theft
The proliferation of so-called “Drainer-as-a-Service” platforms that allow low-skilled attackers to execute sophisticated fraud schemes present a challenge to banks as cryptocurrencies go more mainstream.
How one CDFI is navigating the chaos in Minneapolis
WomenVenture, a Minneapolis-based Community Development Financial Institution, was already under strain from stalled federal CDFI funding. The recent immigration crackdown added significant uncertainty for its customers as well.