Finance

The country's Big Six banks are seen as likely to continue struggling as they contend with deteriorating consumer finances and rising internal costs.

Consumer loan balances fell in July for the first time since 2020 as banks have tightened lending standards in response to rising rates and jettisoned assets to bolster liquidity and capital levels.

Community bankers anticipate that interest rates could soon level off and the broader economy may avert a downturn as a result. If that forecast proves true, lenders could minimize credit losses and enjoy stronger loan demand than they had expected earlier in the year.

The verdict ends a decade-long lawsuit over the Federal Housing Finance Agency's amendment to a stock repurchase agreement in 2012.

The firms are increasingly seeking to integrate generative artificial intelligence into their products, and banks are potentially interested customers. But such efforts are costly, the risks are high and "they want to make sure that they get it right," experts say.

UMB Financial hired an outside company to provide customer service in connection with some of its credit cards and debit cards. In a lawsuit, the Missouri bank alleges that the vendor suddenly stopped performing its duties, and that the bank's own employees had to step into the void.

During the recent banking crisis, both businesses and wealth management clients moved their money out of banks. Commercial deposits have since recovered, but those in wealth accounts continue to decline amid fierce competition from both inside and outside the banking system.

The fintech's second-quarter results showed narrowing losses as well as membership and revenue growth, even as it took on marketing expenses and paid a data breach settlement.

Seven of the 11 largest credit unions in the country by assets experienced a year-over-year drop in earnings in the second quarter, with increased deposit costs being a primary culprit.

Coinbase Global, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, said its second-quarter loss narrowed and revenue exceeded estimates.