De novo group plans to open bank near Orlando early in 2026
Organizers of the planned Portrait Bank say they’re well ahead of initial capital-raising goals as they near completion on leasing a property to serve as headquarters
What PayPal gets from AI-powered browsing
The payment company is incenting users to adopt Perplexity’s Comet Browser, automating subscription management and shopping as card networks and other payment companies ramp up use of generative artificial intelligence.
Walmart-backed fintech OnePay now offering phone plans
The wireless service plans join a variety of banking and payment products offered by OnePay, a fintech company backed by the big-box retailer Walmart.
Colorado CU says AI helped approve $40 million in loans
Credit Union of Colorado is using Scienaptic AI to make about 60% of consumer loan decisions.
Navy Federal secures operational data after exposure
The database contained internal user emails, KPI report templates and other internal data, but no personal or financial customer data.
Trump Fed nominee won’t resign from White House
Stephen Miran will take unpaid leave from and might seek to return to President Trump’s Council of Economic Advisors, he said, raising conflict of interest questions in his nomination hearing for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board.
Justice Department probing Lisa Cook for mortgage fraud
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook and allegations of mortgage fraud, allegations that spurred President Trump to terminate her position on the Fed Board last week. Cook is challenging the president’s authority to remove her in court.
The debate over CBDCs overstates both their promise and their peril
Noelle Acheson points out that central bank digital currencies are neither the threat nor the solution many seem to think. What matters is how the technology is applied.
Banks’ reputations rebounded to historically high levels in 2025
Regional banks lead the comeback, large banks improved and survey respondents indicated firm reputations depend on banks exercising ethical conduct going forward, amid the Trump administration’s deregulatory push.
Top 20 banks by reputation according to customers
The industry made widespread gains in reputability this year, with regional banks in particular regaining trust and admiration at levels not seen in nearly a decade.