Banking

China’s financial regulators have directed the nation’s major banks to halt new loans to five oil refiners recently sanctioned by the United States over their dealings with Iranian crude. This move marks a significant escalation in the economic...

UniCredit has stepped up efforts to gain control of Commerzbank, launching a takeover move that reflects intensifying consolidation pressures across the European banking sector. The Italian lender is aiming to increase its stake beyond the key 30%...

China’s decision to defy US sanctions has placed global banks at the centre of an escalating financial conflict, creating a complex compliance dilemma for institutions operating across both jurisdictions. The dispute centres on Chinese refiners...

The Bank of Ireland UK has been fined £3.78 million by the UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) for failing to implement the Confirmation of Payee (CoP) system by the required deadline. The fine comes after the bank missed the 31 October 2023...

The possibility of higher taxes on UK banks is re-emerging as policymakers grapple with tightening public finances, placing the sector back in focus as a potential source of revenue. The discussion reflects growing fiscal strain alongside renewed...

The UK government is in discussions with Anthropic to grant banks controlled access to its advanced Mythos AI model, signalling a shift in how financial institutions approach cybersecurity and operational resilience. The talks involve close...

Nexi and Visa have formed a partnership to modernise card issuing infrastructure for banks in Germany, signalling a shift in how financial institutions manage payments operations. The collaboration introduces a fully managed issuing model, allowing...

Barclays has reinforced its legal leadership with a senior regulatory appointment, signalling a sharper focus on compliance, capital discipline, and supervisory engagement as pressures on global banks continue to intensify. The move reflects a...

Rachel Reeves has called in the bosses of some of Britain’s biggest banks for talks this week on how to limit the impact of the Iran war on the UK economy. HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander are among the lenders expected to attend, as...

U.S. banks are expected to report strong earnings for the first quarter of 2026, driven by sustained loan demand and higher interest rates. Major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are likely to see solid revenue growth,...

UK digital bank Monzo has announced its exit from the US market, ending its four‑year attempt to build a presence in the highly competitive and regulated banking sector. The move is part of a strategic shift to concentrate on the UK and European...

BNP Paribas has expanded its retail offering to include bitcoin and ethereum-linked exchange-traded notes, signalling a deeper integration of digital assets within regulated banking channels. The move reflects how banks are adapting their product...

UBS is facing continued legal scrutiny over its cash sweep practices, as a US court allows key claims in a class action lawsuit to proceed, highlighting risks within bank-led wealth management models. The case centres on UBS Financial Services and...

Morgan Stanley has warned that apparent resilience in US equities is masking underlying fragility, as a growing divergence emerges between headline index performance and individual stock trends. The view highlights a more complex market environment...

The Bank of London and its parent company have been fined by UK regulators, highlighting mounting scrutiny on governance standards and transparency within financial institutions. The Prudential Regulation Authority imposed a £2 million penalty on...

The British pound weakened against the US dollar as shifting expectations around Bank of England policy highlighted growing uncertainty within the banking and monetary environment. Currency movements reflect how central bank decisions and interest...

UBS has obtained a US national bank charter, marking a significant shift in its banking strategy as it expands its presence in the American financial system. The approval allows the Swiss lender to convert its existing US unit into a nationally...

The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates unchanged as rising energy prices complicate the UK’s inflation outlook and delay expectations of monetary easing. Policymakers are widely anticipated to maintain a cautious stance, balancing...

A group of global banks has launched the sale of a multibillion-dollar loan package to finance the leveraged buyout of video game publisher Electronic Arts, highlighting renewed activity in leveraged finance markets. The transaction forms part of...

The U.S. Federal Reserve is considering a proposal to ease capital requirements for major banks, signalling a potential shift in regulatory policy for the American banking sector. The proposal, introduced by Federal Reserve Vice Chair for...