The Banker

The OCC’s approval of trust bank charters for Circle, Ripple and others signals digital assets’ deeper entry into US banking. Critics warn of consumer confusion, while experts say risks are limited under the GENIUS Act framework.

https://ft.trib.al/9plJZBb

The Gates Foundation will end its financial inclusion work by 2030, saying it is “on track” to meet its goals. With 75% of adults in developing economies now banked, experts warn that sustaining gains without philanthropic support will be a major test.

https://ft.trib.al/QgSCYLs

UK banks’ profits fell 9% in 2025 as restructuring costs, legal bills and the motor finance scandal hit results. BoE’s easing of capital rules offers some relief, but weak growth and low business confidence cloud 2026 prospects.

https://ft.trib.al/loqb5i1

Markets may soon test the value of Fed independence as Donald Trump’s pending appointment of a new chair calls it into doubt. When the Bank of England gained autonomy in 1997, yields fell 100bps. Could the US doing the reverse have a similar-sized impact?

https://ft.trib.al/fq5zP1f

Monzo expands into Europe with a new Dublin HQ and its first EU banking licence, as it acquires Habito to strengthen its mortgage business. The moves come alongside shareholder unrest over leadership changes at the UK’s largest digital bank.

https://ft.trib.al/hC9FGqK

Goldman Sachs ends 2025 as the world’s top M&A adviser, with $4.3bn in revenue and 39 megadeals. Landmark deals like EA’s $55bn leveraged buyout and Kenvue’s $48.7bn sale highlight a record year for megatransactions.

https://ft.trib.al/8nCgSjs

Central banks are buying gold at record levels despite bubble fears. Driven by diversification and dollar-reduction goals, the surge shows a structural shift in reserve strategy likely to persist into 2026.

https://ft.trib.al/W2q1giJ

HSBC’s new east–west structure is fuelling speculation of an eventual Asia spin-off. CEO Georges Elhedery denies a split is coming, but analysts say the reorganisation gives the bank flexibility if geopolitical or market pressures intensify.

https://on.ft.com/44rWJRh

The FCA has fined Nationwide £44mn for failing to manage financial crime risks between 2016 and 2021, as UK regulatory penalties surge 400% amid tighter scrutiny of banks’ compliance systems.

https://on.ft.com/4q945S8

The ECB plans to simplify capital rules for EU banks, cutting buffers from four to two while preserving resilience. Vice-president Luis de Guindos says the move strengthens the single rule book, easing burdens without lowering capital.

https://on.ft.com/48xEzQv

Asia-Pacific’s banks are redefining cyber resilience through real-time detection, regulatory rigour and AI-driven defence. The region has become a live testbed for secure digital banking. What can global banks learn from Asia’s approach?

https://on.ft.com/4pVIkVx

ING’s Bahadir Yilmaz says the bank is testing agentic AI to cut mortgage processing times from months to minutes — but insists human oversight remains vital as ING balances innovation with responsibility.

https://on.ft.com/4a6dODQ