The Fincen NPRM gets the big picture right. Now fix the forms.
Fincen just proposed the most significant reform to AML compliance in a generation, but its reporting forms are still broken. A handful of key changes would meaningfully reduce compliance burden without reducing investigative value.
The myth of the resilient consumer
Market mavens love to wax poetic about the so-called resilient consumer, but the reality is consumer spending is largely underwritten with credit, so it makes sense to keep an eye on credit trends.
Stablecoin yield debate central in GENIUS rule comments
Public comments on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s GENIUS Act implementing regulations highlighted the rift between banks and crypto firms over the permissibility of yield on stablecoin holdings, an issue that has stalled crypto market structure legislation for months.
SEC backs Trump’s idea of allowing semi-annual earnings reports
The proposal is part of what SEC Chairman Paul Atkins calls his “Make IPOs Great Again” agenda.
Boston-area mutual bank agrees to buy New Hampshire lender
Opportunity favors the prepared, and Cambridge Savings Bank had been saving for years to buy a nearby rival. Now, as the mutual bank announces plans to acquire First Seacoast Bank, it says it’s found “the right deal at the right time.”
Fed’s Barr says gas prices could ‘bleed’ into inflation
Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said Tuesday that the U.S. energy sector is more insulated from shocks than Europe’s, particularly in natural gas prices. However, he warned that the war is pushing up gasoline prices, which could spill over into other parts of the economy.
PayPal reports first earnings under new CEO
The payments company said payment volume increased, but net income decreased compared to 2025.
Virginia bank eyes growth after ending feud with large borrower
Carter Bankshares wants to widen its footprint in the Carolinas and may look to buy a bank, especially in South Carolina, where it set up a loan production office in November. The Virginia bank recently resolved a long-running dispute with a major commercial borrower.
Coinbase cuts 14% of staff, citing crypto slump and AI
CEO Brian Armstrong said the company will flatten its org chart to five management layers and concentrate hiring around “AI-native” pods.
How banks reach for the ‘top of the wallet’
If a card is immediately not easy and safe to use in an external app, consumers will quickly turn to another card, executives from Regions Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners and Barclays warned American Banker’s Payments Forum.