Trump pauses strikes on Iranian power plants Gold rebounds off lows as Trump delays Iran strikes after "productive†talks Oil prices fall back below $100 as Trump notes "productive" talks with Iran Five things to watch in markets in the week ahead Private Credit Panic? This 7.7% Dividend Is Built for It By Contrarian Outlook Author Michael Foster Stock Markets Published 03/23/2026, 06:01 AM Private Credit Panic? This 7.7% Dividend Is Built for It View all comments (0)0 Contrarian Outlook Articles(1529)| My H ...

Cari Selects ZKsync’s Prividium As US Regional Banks Enter Stablecoin Race Cari Network, a permissioned blockchain platform led by former United States Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig, has selected Matter Labs’ Prividium infrastructure to power a bank-governed tokenized deposit network targeting US regional and mid-sized lenders. Built on ZKsync and anchored to Ethereum, the platform is designed to enable participating banks to issue and move tokenized deposits around the clock while keeping them o ...

ZKsync has announced the launch of Cari Network, a new platform developed alongside five regional banks that wants to bring tokenized deposits onchain. New Network: The Cari Network – developed by ZKsync in collaboration with Huntington Bancshares, First Horizon, M&T Bank, KeyBank, and Old National Bancorp – is built on ZKsync's "Prividium" stack, a flexible Ethereum L2 framework designed for financial institutions that prioritizes private execution and compliance. According to a press release, Cari Networ ...

Core Insights - The rise of stablecoins has prompted banks to seek alternatives for faster payment processing, with the added benefits of deposit insurance and protection against deposit outflows [1] - Tokenized deposits, which are digital representations of bank deposits, are gaining traction among banks, with nearly two-thirds of banks either offering or developing such products for corporate clients [3] Company Overview - Cari, founded by Eugene Ludwig, aims to create a network for tokenized deposits specifically for regional and community banks [4][6] - The network will utilize FDIC-insured deposit tokens issued on a distributed ledger, facilitating easier transfers across different regulatory environments [5] Market Dynamics - Five design partner banks, including KeyCorp and M&T Bank, are collaborating with Cari to support a range of payment options, emphasizing the need for faster cash settlements [7] - A minimum viable product (MVP) for Cari is set to launch on March 31, with a full production launch planned for the fourth quarter [8] Technological Infrastructure - Cari is partnering with Matter Labs to develop its network on ZKSync's Prividium, a private blockchain designed to meet the compliance and security needs of regulated banks [9] - The focus is on aligning the infrastructure with the standards required for banks from the outset [9] Challenges and Opportunities - Building a successful tokenized deposit network will require collaboration among banks to create a scalable digital payments infrastructure [10][13] - The market for tokenized deposits is expected to grow significantly, driven by increased adoption and demand for interoperable platforms [17] Industry Perspectives - Experts highlight the importance of creating a network for tokenized deposits, noting that larger banks can leverage their ecosystems, while smaller institutions may benefit from initiatives like Cari [15] - The success of tokenized deposits will depend on overcoming challenges related to standardization, regulatory clarity, and operational integration [18]

Company Overview - Old National Bancorp is the holding company of Old National Bank, the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest [2] - The company serves clients primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, with approximately $72 billion in assets and $37 billion in assets under management [2] - Old National ranks among the top 25 banking companies in the United States and has a history dating back to 1834 [2] - The bank focuses on building long-term partnerships with clients and supporting the communities it serves [2] - In 2025, Old National was recognized as one of "The Civic 50," an honor for the 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S. [2] Upcoming Events - Jim Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Old National, is scheduled to present at the 2026 RBC Capital Markets Financial Institutions Conference on March 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time [1] - Investors can access the live audio webcast through the Investor Relations section of the Old National website, with a replay available afterward [1]

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard. Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences. At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000 ...

Group 1 - Barclays is developing a blockchain platform for stablecoin payments and tokenized deposits, with plans to collaborate with technology suppliers starting in April [1][2] - The initiative is part of a broader trend among major banks exploring blockchain technology to enhance traditional banking systems [3] - A tokenized deposit network involving five banks and Cari Network is expected to launch in Q4, indicating growing interest in digital asset technology [4][8] Group 2 - The project aims to support programmable, on-chain cash for institutional market structures, with participation from various financial institutions and digital natives [9] - Research indicates that blockchain technology is transitioning from experimental phases to becoming integral infrastructure for financial institutions [10] - Integration of blockchain into existing financial systems is emphasized, aiming to create a continuous, on-demand ecosystem for clients [11]

Financial Performance - Old National's net income applicable to common shareholders for 2025 was $653.1 million, or $1.79 per diluted common share, with adjusted net income of $808.6 million, or $2.21 per diluted common share [230][231]. - Net income available to common shareholders increased to $653,122, reflecting a 24.8% growth compared to $523,053 in 2024 [239]. - The return on average common equity for Q4 2025 was 10.44%, up from 9.01% in Q3 2025 [237]. - Diluted net income per common share increased to $1.79 in 2025 from $1.68 in 2024, a growth of 6.5% [251]. - The effective tax rate was 20.5% in 2025, slightly down from 20.8% in 2024, influenced by tax benefits from tax credit investments [275]. Growth and Acquisitions - The completion of the Bremer acquisition on May 1, 2025, solidified Old National's position as a premier mid-size bank [230][233]. - Total deposits grew by 35% in 2025, with a loan-to-deposit ratio of 89% [230]. - The company plans to focus on disciplined organic growth and continued investment in technology and client-facing capabilities in 2026 [235]. - The company's assets grew to $72.2 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $18.6 billion from $53.6 billion at December 31, 2024, mainly due to the Bremer acquisition [276]. Income and Expenses - Net interest income increased by 34% to $2.1 billion, driven by strong loan growth and the Bremer acquisition [232]. - Noninterest income rose from $354.7 million in 2024 to $466.5 million in 2025, primarily due to the Bremer acquisition and higher mortgage banking revenue [232]. - Total noninterest expense reached $1.5 billion in 2025, a 35.7% increase from 2024, including $140.9 million of merger-related expenses [272]. - The total interest expense for 2025 was $1,211,979 thousand, compared to $1,070,868 thousand in 2024 [260]. Asset and Loan Growth - Old National's total loans reached $48.76 billion by December 31, 2025, up from $36.29 billion a year earlier [237]. - Total loans grew significantly to $48,764,162, a 34.4% increase from $36,285,887 in 2024 [239]. - Average loans, including loans held-for-sale, increased by $8.7 billion in 2025, primarily due to the acquisition of Bremer loans totaling $11.1 billion [265]. - The loan portfolio totaled $48.8 billion at December 31, 2025, reflecting a 34.4% increase from $36.3 billion at December 31, 2024 [283]. Capital and Equity - Shareholders' equity reached $8.5 billion, or 12% of total assets, at December 31, 2025, up from $6.3 billion at December 31, 2024, due to equity raised from the Bremer acquisition [305]. - Tangible book value per share grew by 15% in 2025, with a focus on driving further growth in 2026 [230][234]. - The tangible common book value per share rose to $13.71, compared to $11.91 in 2024, reflecting improved capital strength [239]. Credit Quality and Losses - Provision for credit losses increased to $197,721 in 2025, up from $110,619 in 2024, reflecting a rise of 78.5% [251]. - The allowance for credit losses on loans increased to $569.5 million at December 31, 2025, up from $392.5 million at December 31, 2024, reflecting adjustments related to the Bremer acquisition [297]. - Total charge-offs for the year 2025 amounted to $125.0 million, significantly higher than $71.3 million in 2024 [332]. - The net charge-offs to average loans ratio for total loans was 0.25% in 2025, compared to 0.17% in 2024, indicating a deterioration in credit quality [333]. Operational Metrics - The efficiency ratio improved to 55.10%, reflecting disciplined expense management [230]. - The efficiency ratio improved to 55.10%, down from 55.85% in 2024, indicating better cost management [239]. - The number of full-time equivalent employees increased to 4,971, up from 4,066 in 2024, indicating growth in operational capacity [239]. Risk Management - The company maintains frameworks to mitigate operational risks, including cybersecurity threats and internal control weaknesses [358]. - Compliance and regulatory risks are managed through established policies and oversight to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations [359]. - Legal risks are addressed through corporate governance practices that comply with legal requirements and market standards [360].

Core Viewpoint - Old National Bancorp (ONB) has announced a significant increase in its share repurchase program, doubling it to $400 million, which will be effective until February 28, 2027, replacing the previous $200 million program set to expire on February 28, 2026 [4] Group 1 - The new share repurchase program is aimed at enhancing shareholder value [4] - The program reflects the company's confidence in its financial position and future growth prospects [4] - The extension of the buyback program indicates a strategic move to utilize excess capital effectively [4]

Dividend Announcement - The Board of Directors increased the quarterly cash dividend on common stock by 3.6% to $0.145 per share, payable on March 16, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2026 [1] - A quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per share was declared on the 7.0% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A and Series C, payable on May 20, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 5, 2026 [2] Share Repurchase Program - The Board of Directors approved doubling the share repurchase program, authorizing up to $400 million for repurchasing outstanding shares of common stock, replacing the previous $200 million program set to expire on February 28, 2026 [3] - The new share repurchase program will be in effect until February 28, 2027 [3] Company Overview - Old National Bancorp is the holding company of Old National Bank, the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest, with approximately $72 billion in assets and $37 billion in assets under management [4] - The company focuses on building long-term partnerships with clients and supporting the communities it serves, offering services in consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and capital markets [4] - In 2025, Old National was recognized as one of "The Civic 50," an honor for the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States [4]