Investments

Vulnerabilities related to environmental, social and governance issues have become a serious threat vector when it comes to money laundering. Banks must recognize the danger and adapt their systems accordingly.

The Federal Open Market Committee cut the fed funds target again in December but signaled fewer cuts in 2025. There was some dissent. The markets are watching to see if the Federal Reserve pauses its easing cycle in January. Brian Rehling, head of global fixed-income strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, recaps and parses the previous day's FOMC meeting and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

Analysts are unsure what the Federal Open Market Committee will do with monetary policy in 2025. The panel projects two rate cuts, but some analysts expect more, and others see fewer.

The Louisiana-based bank reduced its dividend to a penny, the second reduction it has made this year as it tries to bring down expenses and generate more capital.

Members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board of directors Tuesday debated Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra's proposal limiting capital distributions system-wide during times of stress, as well as penalties for institutions caught engaging in money laundering.

The Honolulu-based bank is taking a $19.7 million pretax loss to rid its balance sheet of low-yielding investments. It joined a parade of banks that have made similar moves.

The Green Bay, Wisconsin-based bank will record a fourth-quarter loss after agreeing to sell $3 billion of low-yield loans and mortgages. The moves leave the bank well-positioned for 2025, CEO Andy Harmening said.

Economic forecasts include the possibility of higher inflation and slower growth that could stall future cuts to the federal fund rates.

Citigroup now operates Grupo Financiero Citi México and Grupo Financiero Banamex in Mexico. The New York-based bank is planning an initial public offering of Banamex as soon as regulators and market conditions allow for the public offering.

Industry observers say the U.S. securities industry's migration to next-day settlement in May 2024 was a technology success story, which has encouraged the U.K. and the EU to follow suit.