How JPMorganChase plans to jolt ‘on-chain’ finance
The bank’s Kinexys blockchain unit processes a fraction of the institution’s overall payment volume. It’s betting that an appetite for the technology’s promise of speedy processing and liquidity will make that larger.
Will the slow pace of new bank formation pick up in 2026?
Just a handful of de novo banks opened in 2025. But there are signs of renewed activity, with eight banks currently actively in formation and more than 10 charter applications on file with the FDIC.
Fed’s Kashkari flags concern about labor market
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said on CNBC that both sides of the central bank’s dual mandate show signs of imbalance, with the labor market appearing more vulnerable.
A fragmented landscape of bespoke stablecoins will serve nobody
The real value of stablecoins lies in their ability to provide instant and secure transfers of value. But, in a world where every company has a bespoke stablecoin, that promise begins to break down quickly.
New Pinnacle CEO aims to prove merger skeptics wrong
Bank investors are typically wary of mergers of equals. Kevin Blair, CEO of the newly combined Synovus and Pinnacle, maintains that this deal is different, but also acknowledges that it’s now time to prove it.
Wisconsin’s Bank First finalizes acquisition of in-state rival
Bank First in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has completed its acquisition of Centre 1 Bancorp in Beloit; Citi plans to shed its remaining Russian operations; Heritage Financial in Olympia, Washington, has received regulatory approvals to acquire Olympic Bancorp; and more in this week’s banking news roundup.
Baltimore mayor sues fintech Dave for ‘usurious’ fees
The lender traps consumers in an “exploitative cycle of debt,” Brandon Scott said.
Tech executive departs UBS to become CEO of N26
Mike Dargan, former chief operations and technology officer for UBS, stepped down at the end of 2025 and will become the CEO of neobank N26 this spring.
Payment fintechs push stablecoin tech for 2026
Following the passage of federal legislation, stablecoins are generating a lot of buzz, but are still seeking uses beyond investment. Payment firms are pushing technology to entice merchants and consumers to support the digital asset.
Pinnacle emerges as $117B bank after completing Synovus deal
The merger of equals, which received a chilly reception from investors when it was announced in July, closed faster than analysts had expected.