Economy

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that actions that undermine the apparent stability of the U.S. economy could have lasting effects on its status as a global safe haven.

Markets welcomed the 90-day pause on President Donald Trump's tariff plan, but banker forecasts for mergers and acquisitions and earnings remain uncertain.

Federal Reserve Board member Christopher Waller said he would not be deterred from classifying inflation as "transitory" despite the board's recent experience underestimating inflationary pressures.

More than 1.4 million small businesses bank with U.S. Bank, according to the company, and it's now offering help with managing expenses and accepting payments.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it will not enforce or supervise nonbank financial firms that miss upcoming compliance deadlines for the nonbank registry of repeat offenders.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said to understand how banks are faring in the current environment of tariff-induced uncertainty, he'll be watching the relationship between credit spreads and equity markets.

Inflation cooled faster than expected last month, giving the Federal Reserve room to ease monetary policy if the economy weakens suddenly. But tariffs and other policy changes still cloud the outlook for monetary policy.

President Trump placed a 90-day pause on most of his sweeping tariff package, but for banks and other financial market participants, the threat of volatility remains.

In a speech at the American Bankers Association Washington Summit Wednesday morning, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed economic risks from tariffs, floated capital reforms and urged regulatory relief for community banks.

King, who spent 24 years at M&T Bank and departed with little explanation, will lead Fifth Third's operations in middle market commercial banking and wealth management.

Bankers are growing frustrated as President Donald Trump's trade policy causes turmoil in markets and confusion for clients. But banking trade groups in Washington — at least publicly — are remaining silent.

The sector includes construction companies and others that rely on materials from outside the U.S., which could challenge lending based on future payment flows.

Unemployment remained relatively stable amid declining consumer confidence and an emerging trade war, which have roiled markets.

As the risk of a recession rises, commercial real estate loans remain a major concern for banks and industry participants. One observer asked: "Is '25 the year where sellers start to capitulate, call a loser a loser, and move on?"

Financial services executives report seeing an increase in quantifiable value from AI investments in the fifth annual Broadridge survey.

The first year of Otting's tenure as the New York lender's CEO brought substantial change, but the job isn't done. His goal: to build a powerhouse, profitable regional bank.

With South Florida's economy expected to continue outperforming the rest of the nation, Banesco USA is laying plans to extend its reach into Broward, the wealthy and populous county just north of its Coral Gables home base.

Offices, apartment buildings and retail locations in Los Angeles face a tangle of difficulties as the smoke clears from January's wildfires. High on the list is inadequate insurance, a common problem in California.

The administration's 25% import tax on cars and parts can squeeze dealerships' parts and service revenue, one of their largest profit centers. Buy now/pay later lenders could see a windfall.

The government conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac wasn't meant to last forever, but releasing the companies is complicated and should involve a diffident Congress, housing policy experts said during a Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta housing panel.