FHFA, Treasury amend GSE conservatorship agreements
The changes add some steps that would have to be taken before Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could exit following statements from a Trump ally indicating plans for a near-term release.
Morgan Stanley is latest to leave climate-banking group
Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs have also withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in the past month, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Hedge fund billionaire certain of near-term GSE exit
Bill Ackman, founder of Pershing Square Capital Management, predicts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be removed from conservatorship within the next two years.
Mortgage rates likely to go back over 7% as they rise again
The Freddie Mac mortgage rate tracker on Thursday morning showed the conforming 30-year fixed rate mortgage creep closer to the 7% level last seen in May.
SouthState closes Texas acquisition, passing $50 billion of assets
The Florida company completed its purchase of Independent Bank, increasing its liability sensitivity and jumping to $65 billion in assets.
Patriot National recruits new president to assist with capital raise
The Stamford, Connecticut-based bank hired Steven Sugarman to be its president. The former bank CEO, who now heads one of the country’s largest mission-based lenders, will help drive an effort to close a capital gap.
AI drives tech companies to take the nuclear option
Data center operators and users such as banks need to plan now for AI’s growing power needs.
CFPB’s lawsuits against banks: Five cases to watch in 2025
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has sued some of the largest U.S. corporations and banks before the changeover to the Trump administration later this month
Hawaiian Electric sells bank in wake of wildfire devastation
The Honolulu-based utility sold a 90.1% stake in American Savings Bank. The deal valued the lender at $450 million.
Banks must focus on ESG issues to win the money-laundering fight
Vulnerabilities related to environmental, social and governance issues have become a serious threat vector when it comes to money laundering. Banks must recognize the danger and adapt their systems accordingly.