Fincen’s failure to write whistleblower rules damages its mission
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is charged with protecting the U.S. financial system, but its failure to implement a whistleblower program authorized in 2022 leaves the agency unable to capitalize on a key source of intelligence.
It’s taken a while, but the future of money is here
Trading bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is fine, but it’s a sideshow: blockchain is the underlying innovation that has the potential to change the way markets operate.
Community and regional banks are sleepwalking into AI risk
By welcoming AI-driven vendor platforms into their banks, small and midsize institutions are introducing risks that are poorly understood and potentially interrelated. Boards of directors need to start paying attention.
Basel reproposal’s impact on non-bank mortgage lenders
A first look at the capital plan suggests it moves the real estate finance industry closer to changes it lobbied for, but the devil may be in the details.
Forget rate drops — here’s where mortgage volume will come from
Housing economists at ICE Experience 2026 predict mortgage growth but also say the home finance industry has yet to fully adapt to the disruption of this decade.
Why Vast Bank is advancing on tokenized deposits
The Oklahoma community bank partnered with two digital asset companies to create a cross-border form of tokenized U.S. dollar deposits.
Michigan’s Independent ends M&A drought with in-state deal
Grand Rapids-based Independent Bank Corp. has agreed to buy HCB Bancorp for $70.2 million — the buyer’s first deal since 2017.
Custodia’s tokenized deposit to be used in 600-bank network
Participate, a loan participation network, has agreed to use tokenized dollars issued by Custodia Bank and Vantage Bank.
RBC says its focus on AI is paying dividends
Royal Bank of Canada is rolling out AI across its businesses in an effort to become more efficient and generate more revenues. The Toronto-based bank recently created an internal AI accelerator that directly reports to CEO Dave McKay.
Inflation drives mortgage rates to 2026 high point
For the second week in a row, the 30-year fixed increased by 11 basis points, Freddie Mac found, a result of reaction to oil price hikes from the Iran conflict.