Banking

Equifax agreed to resolve allegations that it failed to conduct proper investigations of consumer disputes, ignored evidence and allowed previously deleted inaccuracies to be reinstated on credit reports. The credit reporting bureau also shared inaccurate credit scores and data about consumers with lenders.

The investment banking giant has been the subject of regulatory probes regarding the way it vets prospective clients. So far, that's not driving away potential clients, executives say.

A midweek rally followed robust bottom-line results from JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and several other large banks. But further interest rate cuts may be needed to sustain momentum.

The bank is "very optimistic" that Trump will appoint financial regulators who are "more balanced" than current agency heads, CFO Daryl Bible said.

The chairman of the financial institutions panel of the House Financial Services Committee said his newly reintroduced bill has a considerable chance of passing with Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, told analysts she's not going to sacrifice growth-related investments for short-term gains. "You shouldn't want me to do that," she said.

Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf validates some of the optimism, telling analysts he feels "really great about our progress." But he said executives "don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

The $4 trillion-asset bank posted its highest-ever annual profit but also said its CEO succession plan is still in the works.

Advisors predicted that more banks will do deals and those transactions will be larger in 2025 amid expectations for lighter regulatory scrutiny.

The largest U.S. bank by assets has elevated Jennifer Piepszak to chief operating officer, in preparation for Daniel Pinto's retirement in 2026. But Piepszak is not interested in being CEO, the company said.