Washington Mutual Inc. wobbled a little more last week as Moody’s Investor Service sliced its debt rating to one level above junk, but warned of further moves if the bank has shore up its loan-loss provisions further as the housing market deteriorates. The bank didn’t think this downgrade or a previous rating cut by S&P deserved official comment, although press reports cited spokespeople attesting to Washington Mutual’s financial health.
The corporate cash management fintech acquired ATOM to extend treasury management services to its business customers and raised funds from PNC and State Street.
BankUnited hires Wells Fargo's James Mackey to be its new chief financial officer; Ponce Bank President and CEO Carlos Naudon is named chairperson of the Community Development Bankers Association; Jefferson Bank announces the retirement of longtime President and CEO Danny Butler; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
The New York bank is the latest to offer generative AI to all its employees and agentic AI to developers. Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti explained the bank's next steps with the technology.
Investor reaction to the proposed $8.6 billion deal has been sour, with both banks' share prices falling more than 11% as of Friday afternoon. The response appeared to reflect the market's distaste for mergers of equals and the risks associated with crossing the $100 billion-asset threshold.
The Community Investment and Prosperity Act would increase the statutory cap for bank investment into community development projects, unlocking "billions in capital" that can be directed to affordable housing.
Given FHFA Director Bill Pulte's history of making regulatory pronouncements via X, some theorize the release of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could occur in the same way.
