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The Banker
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- 1India central bank's FX intervention drains nearly $20 billion in liquidity▼India central bank's FX blitz drains nearly $20 billion from surplus liquidity, bankers say
The Reserve Bank of India's heavy intervention in foreign exchange markets has drained close to $20 billion from the country's surplus liquidity, according to bankers. The central bank has been selling dollars to support the rupee, absorbing rupee funds in the process and tightening cash conditions in the banking system.
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Speculation about an Anthropic initial public offering is picking up in the US. On CNBC, veteran banker Robert Kindler argued that an Anthropic listing would not drive the broader market, signaling that Wall Street sees the AI company's potential debut as significant but not market-moving. No filing or timeline has been confirmed, and attention remains on how the high-profile AI firm would be valued.
- 3Fed's Cook warns of further inflationary pressures ahead▼Fed's Cook sees further inflationary pressures ahead
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook said she expects additional inflationary pressures ahead, a signal that US central bankers remain cautious about the pace of price growth. Her comments add to debate over how long the Fed will hold interest rates steady and whether further policy tightening may be needed.
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Brazilian companies dealing in cryptoassets are facing a new set of regulatory requirements, according to a report by The Banker. The rules tighten oversight of crypto activity in one of Latin America's largest digital asset markets, and the banking sector is watching how compliance obligations will affect firms operating there.
- 5Coldwell Banker CEO: Housing Is in a Soft Period▼Mortgage Rates and Inflation Are Cooling Housing Demand — Coldwell Banker CEO Says ‘We Are Definitely in a Soft Period Right Now’
Coldwell Banker's chief executive says the US housing market is 'definitely in a soft period right now', pointing to elevated mortgage rates and persistent inflation cooling buyer demand. The comments add to a string of cautious assessments from industry leaders as high borrowing costs keep many would-be buyers on the sidelines and slow home sales across the country.
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A Dutch central banker has called on the government to show fiscal restraint, warning against loosening public spending. The appeal adds to a broader debate in Europe over budget discipline, as governments weigh costly spending priorities against concerns about inflation, debt levels and the independence of monetary policy.
- 7Erik Thedéen on QE, Central Bank Independence and Digital Payments▼Erik Thedéen on QE, Central Bank Independence, and Digital Payments
Erik Thedéen, Sweden's central banker, is featured discussing quantitative easing, the independence of central banks, and the future of digital payments. The conversation touches on how monetary policy tools used since the financial crisis are being reassessed, alongside ongoing debates over political pressure on central banks and the shift toward digital means of payment.
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South Korea's finance minister and the Bank of Korea governor held a meeting, according to Yonhap News Agency. The regular financial chief-central banker meeting is being watched for signals on coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, particularly around inflation, currency pressures and the direction of interest rates as markets assess the country's economic outlook.
- 9London bankers and lawyers earn over £1bn in takeover boom●London’s investment bankers and lawyers make more than £1bn in takeover frenzy By Lauren Almeida Bumper fees paid in the
Investment bankers and lawyers in London have made more than £1bn in fees from a surge in takeovers, according to a report by Lauren Almeida. The bumper mergers and acquisitions payouts have sparked anger over high City pay at a time when many households are struggling with the cost of living crisis.
- 10London bankers and lawyers earn over £1bn in takeover boom▼London's investment bankers and lawyers make more than £1bn in takeover frenzy https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026
London's investment bankers and lawyers have earned more than £1bn in fees from a surge in takeover deals, according to the Guardian. The windfall reflects a busy period for mergers and acquisitions activity in the UK capital, with advisers on both sides of deals collecting substantial payments as companies pursue acquisitions.
- 11FDIC declares Old Glory Bank severely undercapitalized▼Old Glory Bank is 'severely undercapitalized,' FDIC says The bank has struggled to turn a profit despite growth in depos
The FDIC has determined that Old Glory Bank is severely undercapitalized, according to American Banker. The Oklahoma-based bank, founded as a conservative-focused institution, has grown deposits rapidly, from $10 million in 2023 to more than $245 million by the end of 2025, but has struggled to turn a profit despite that expansion. Regulators now face questions about the bank's financial footing and its ability to meet capital requirements.
- 12Bangladesh Bank's KPI framework for bank CEOs draws overreach concerns▼BB directs KPI framework for bank CEOs, spurs regulatory overreach concerns
Bangladesh Bank has directed banks to adopt a KPI framework for their chief executives, a move intended to tie leadership performance to regulatory expectations. The directive has prompted concerns among bankers and observers that the central bank is overstepping into management decisions that should rest with boards and shareholders.
- 13Raymond James Names Dan Connolly To Lead Tech Investment Banking●Raymond James Hires Dan Connolly To Lead Technology & Services Investment Banking
Raymond James has hired Dan Connolly to head its technology and services investment banking business. The move signals the financial services firm's push to strengthen its advisory practice for technology companies, a sector where dealmaking competition among banks remains intense.
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Goldman Sachs has automated the voting options available to retail investors, according to Private Banker International. The move means individual shareholders can have their proxy votes processed and submitted without manual handling. Details on the technology used, rollout scope and client adoption were not provided, and Goldman Sachs has not publicly commented beyond the announcement.
- 15Banking Group Head Urges Transparency on College Costs●ICYMI: CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson Calls for Greater Transparency, Data Reporting Around College Costs and Outcomes
Lindsey Johnson, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, is calling for greater transparency and data reporting around college costs and student outcomes. The statement urges colleges to disclose clearer information on what students pay and the results they achieve, a debate that touches directly on student lending and higher education accountability.
- 16Fed's Musalem stresses transparency over policy promises▼Fed's Musalem (2028 voter) says central bankers needn't make promises, but should tell the public how and why central bank makes policy decisions
St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem, a voting member on the rate-setting committee through 2028, said central bankers do not need to make promises about future policy, but should explain clearly how and why decisions are made. His remarks feed the ongoing debate about how much forward guidance the Federal Reserve owes markets and the public, especially as officials weigh the path of interest rates.
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A new essay in the CEU Review of Books examines the role of Jewish immigrant bankers in building American finance, arguing their contributions have not received proper recognition. The piece revisits how immigrant financiers shaped credit markets and banking institutions in the United States. It is prompting discussion about historical memory and the origins of American financial power.
- 18Critics slam central banks for raising rates over Gulf war inflation●The madness of raising # interest rates to tackle # inflation caused by the war in the Gulf continues worldwide. # Centr
Commentators are attacking central banks worldwide for continuing to raise interest rates in response to inflation driven by the Gulf war. Critics, including economist Richard Murphy via the Tax Research blog, argue the policy is irrational because rate hikes cannot address a supply-side price shock caused by conflict, and instead deepen economic pain. The debate frames central bankers as persisting with a misguided playbook despite the different origins of this inflation.
- 19Wall Street's Hopes for a Blockbuster IPO Season Fade●Wall Street's Hopes for a Blockbuster IPO Season Are Starting to Fade https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/wall-streets-ho
Wall Street's expectations for a strong initial public offering season are cooling, according to the Wall Street Journal. Bankers and investors had hoped a wave of high-profile company debuts would revive the IPO market, but those hopes are dimming as conditions shift. The report is drawing attention among markets watchers tracking whether new listings can regain momentum.
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Goldman Sachs has launched a retail voting initiative, per Private Banker International. Details on how the scheme will work or which clients it targets were not immediately provided. The move points to growing attention on retail investors' say in corporate governance, and it is likely to draw scrutiny of how the bank will represent small shareholders' votes.
- 21How tokenisation is reshaping global banking●How tokenisation is changing the future of global banking
Banking industry analysis is examining how tokenisation — the conversion of assets such as bonds, funds and deposits into digital tokens on blockchain-based infrastructure — is changing global finance. Commentary from The Banker suggests tokenised assets could streamline settlement, cut costs and open markets to new participants, while banks and regulators weigh how to adapt custody, compliance and payment systems to this shift.
- 22Peers say Parliament at mercy of UK finance regulators●Parliament at the ‘mercy’ of UK finance regulators, say peers
Members of the House of Lords warn that Parliament has been left at the 'mercy' of UK finance regulators, arguing that lawmakers lack sufficient oversight over bodies that set and enforce financial rules. The criticism, reported by The Banker, highlights concerns about democratic accountability in the regulation of Britain's financial services sector following the UK's post-Brexit repatriation of regulatory powers.