Bank Notes

The original cryptocurrency lies at the bleeding edge of the risk curve, and its cross currents say something about how feisty the market is feeling.

A private credit fund got suckered into the Aspiration Partners fraud; is that an 'it could have happened to anybody,' or a sign that the industry has low standards?

Even the Federal Reserve has limited visibility into the nonbank and private credit markets. That's a problem for banks that are increasingly lending to those sectors.

Bank CEOs pay is rising again, as the leaders of the largest banks all top $40 million now; the next Fed chair needs to contend with a splintered board.

There is a difference between combating discrimination and forcing bankers to ignore problems.

Reports show banks and the agencies that regulate them are both very vulnerable to fast-moving cyber attackers exploiting loopholes in computer systems.

The incredible demand for credit, numbers reaching into the trillions, is luring banks back into the very risk markets that got them in trouble 20 years ago.

The crypto industry thought it could do trust better than the banks, found out it couldn't and realized it needs rules to guarantee trust.

The trillions being poured into AI is putting pressure on the hyperscalers to produce a return on the investments.

AI could bring about the worst jobs market in the past century; the good news is we have time to figure out what to do about it.

Berkshire Hathaway is narrowing its bank exposure, and sitting on a mountain of money. That says something about the market.

The central bank said it had a new proposal for its so-called skinny accounts, right after the White House ordered essentially the same thing. Coincidence?

Banks are increasing their loan-loss provisions, though they say the additions are just precautionary. Are they really?

Plaid strikes a deal with OpenAI that would allow ChatGPT users to upload their bank-account data. Is that such a good idea?

Crypto firms are becoming the kinds of trusted third parties bitcoin was created to get around, raising the question of what digital currencies are even for.

Every business needs a competitive advantage. But for banks their core product, money, is by definition commoditized. So where do banks find an advantage?

There are a lot of worrisome things going on out there, but the credit markets overall appear to be okay. For now. And that, really, is all that matters.

The economy is already showing signs of stress from the oil crisis. How much longer will it last, and is there a red-line number that breaks the economy?

The cost of deposits has fallen but the trend may get short-circuited by a Fed that can't cut rates amid the inflationary pressures of the war in Iran.

The 21st century financial system that digital currency promised is being built, but by banks, not by the bitcoin crowd.