Fed’s Cook calls recent inflation numbers ‘disappointing’
Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook said in a speech Wednesday night that the central bank’s credibility depends on its ability to bring inflation back to its 2% target.
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.
SBA re-tightens its eligibility rules, hitting noncitizens
The latest directive, which takes effect in March, allows only U.S. citizens and nationals to seek government-guaranteed financing. It’s drawing criticism from Democrats in Congress, small-business advocates and some lenders.
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.
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.
Block doubles down on European ambitions
The payment company opened a new office in Dublin to battle rivals like Adyen, Stripe and PayPal.
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.
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.
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.
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.