Bankers fear economic struggle in 2026
American Banker research highlights growing concerns about an economic downturn, regulatory volatility and open-banking risks.
Fifth Third-Comerica deal easily wins shareholder approval
The deal still faces a lawsuit from activist investor HoldCo Asset Management, which contends that Comerica didn’t properly shop itself before agreeing to sell to Fifth Third.
FDIC watchdog pushes back on Ernst whistleblower claims
The FDIC inspector general said internal and external reviews found little evidence to support a whistleblower’s allegations of fraud, retaliation and abuse within the FDIC’s watchdog office.
Why the CFPB’s EWA opinion won’t dramatically impact fintechs
Earned wage access fintechs say the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s advisory opinion provides important clarity on the finance product, but legal experts warn that its practical impact could be minimal.
Fed’s Barkin optimistic about market uncertainty in 2026
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin said economic uncertainty should ease in the coming year as businesses gain confidence in sustained demand and adapt to the new policy environment.
The CFPB’s small-dollar lending rule has clearly backfired on consumers
The effort by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, meant to benefit borrowers, has instead led to higher delinquency rates, increased defaults and more loans being sent to collections.
Overdraft fee income is on the rise at these big banks
Several large U.S. banks reported an uptick in overdraft-related income for the first three quarters of 2025. Economic pressure on consumers may be to blame, some banks and industry observers say.
Marquis breach toll rises to 80 banks, 824,000 consumers
New disclosures show the ransomware attack on the marketing vendor affected far more community banks and credit unions than initially estimated.
For now, Maduro’s capture changes little for US banks
Even as oil stocks jump and lawmakers clash over Trump’s decision to intervene in Venezuela, experts say U.S. banks face little short-term risk, and any energy payoff is years away.
First Federal purchases Fidelity’s mortgage division
First Federal Bank stretched its retail mortgage operations into Louisiana and Mississippi, following its expansion into the Midwest and Arizona in 2023.