Who will have the most impact on the banking, fintech and payments world in 2026? American Banker's reporters and editors compiled this alphabetical list of the 26 people we expect to make a difference — positive or negative — for bankers in the coming year. Processing Content John AllisonChairman and CEO, Home BancSharesHome BancShares in Conway, Arkansas, has returned to the bank merger-and-acquisition arena, and from all appearances John Allison, the company's longtime chairman and CEO, couldn't be mo ...

Key Takeaways PNC received approvals from the Fed, OCC, and Colorado regulators to move forward with the FirstBank deal.The $4.1B transaction includes PNC stock and $1.2B in cash, with shareholders choosing cash or shares.The deal will triple PNC's Colorado branches and expand its presence in Denver, Arizona, and nearby regionsThe PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) has secured the regulatory approvals needed to complete its previously announced $4.1 billion cash-and-stock acquisition of FirstBank Hold ...

GENYOUth, the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, VisitPITTSBURGH, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh Public Schools Announce Community Impact Initiative to Support Student Nutrition, Physical Activity PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GENYOUth, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping schoolchildren live well-nourished and physically active lives, joined Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8, purpose-driven partners and Steelers great Maurkice Pouncey today to kick off a major community impact initiative aligned with t ...

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is recognized as the most significant technological disruption since the Internet, fundamentally altering work, creativity, and decision-making processes [1] - Major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, are investing billions in AI to enhance productivity and adapt to evolving client needs [1] AI Integration in Banking - AI is moving from pilot projects to being integrated into daily banking operations, viewed as a productivity and headcount lever by executives [2] - Banks are leveraging AI as a force multiplier to improve operational efficiency, accelerate software development, and enhance client service, leading to higher output per employee [3] JPMorgan's AI Initiatives - JPMorgan has reported a productivity increase from approximately 3% to 6% due to AI, with operations specialists seeing potential productivity gains of 40% to 50% as tasks become more automated [4] - The bank maintains a substantial technology budget of around $18 billion annually, with a $2 billion investment in AI aimed at achieving measurable returns on investment [5] Citigroup's AI Strategy - Citigroup is scaling internal generative AI tools to enhance developer productivity, freeing up about 100,000 developer hours weekly, with 180,000 employees accessing these tools [6] - The bank has an annual technology budget of approximately $12 billion, indicating strong organizational support for AI integration across functions [7] Bank of America's AI Spending - Bank of America has committed $4 billion of its roughly $13 billion technology budget to AI, linking this investment to tangible productivity improvements in both frontline and tech teams [8] - The bank's AI initiatives, including the virtual assistant Erica, are designed to handle high-volume service interactions, allowing human employees to focus on more complex tasks [9] Wells Fargo and PNC Financial's Approach - Wells Fargo and PNC Financial are also focusing on AI to enhance efficiency, with Wells Fargo indicating a potential decline in headcount as a result of automation [10] - PNC Financial's CEO has suggested that AI will accelerate existing automation efforts, potentially stabilizing headcount while scaling the business over the next decade [12] Overall Efficiency Gains from AI - The transition to AI-driven productivity is expected to yield sustainable expense leverage, with early evidence showing improvements in operations, software development, and client support [13] - The long-term success of AI integration will depend on the ability to embed it into everyday decisions and workflows while maintaining regulatory compliance [14]

Core Insights - PNC Bank has launched PNC Simple Checking, a low-cost and straightforward banking account aimed at simplifying money management for customers at all life stages [1][2][3] Product Features - PNC Simple Checking eliminates overdraft and nonsufficient fund fees, offering multiple ways to avoid a low monthly service charge, making it accessible for everyday financial needs [1][2] - The account includes robust digital tools such as customizable transaction and balance alerts, unlimited direct deposits, teller transactions, check writing, and withdrawals, along with no charge for cashier's checks [2][4] - A $5 monthly service charge can be waived for PNC employees, customers under 25 or over 62, or those with a qualifying direct deposit [4] Target Audience - The account is designed for a wide range of clients, including teens, students, and retirees, reflecting PNC's commitment to financial wellness [3][4] - PNC Simple Checking will serve as the new student banking solution, offering no monthly service charges until the age of 25, helping students manage their finances responsibly [3][4] Certification and Availability - PNC Simple Checking is Bank On certified, meeting national standards for low-cost, no-overdraft-fee accounts that promote financial inclusion [5] - Account opening is available across all PNC channels, making it easy for customers to apply [5]

Core Insights - PNC Financial Services Group has received all necessary regulatory approvals to acquire FirstBank Holding Company and its subsidiary, FirstBank, with the transaction expected to finalize by January 5, 2026 [1][2][3] Regulatory Approvals - The acquisition has been cleared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Colorado Division of Banking [1] Transaction Details - The deal includes approximately 13.9 million shares of PNC common stock and $1.2 billion in cash, totaling a transaction value of $4.1 billion [3] - FirstBank, based in Lakewood, Colorado, has assets amounting to $26.8 billion as of June 30, 2025 [3] Integration Plans - Upon closing, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national operations, enhancing services in treasury management, payments, and digital banking [2] - The full conversion of FirstBank's customer accounts is expected by mid-2026 [2] Strategic Expansion - This acquisition is anticipated to expand PNC's presence in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest, particularly in Colorado and Arizona, where FirstBank operates 95 branches [4]

Core Viewpoint - PNC Financial Services has received regulatory approval for its $4.1 billion acquisition of FirstBank, marking a significant step in expanding its operations in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest [2][3][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition has been approved by the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Colorado Division of Banking [2]. - PNC anticipates closing the transaction around January 5, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, with full customer integration expected by mid-next year [3]. - FirstBank is recognized as one of the largest privately held lenders in the U.S., and this acquisition will enhance PNC's scale in Colorado and Arizona [4]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - PNC's CEO highlighted that recent efforts by federal banking regulators to reduce regulatory burdens will significantly benefit banks, potentially saving "hundreds and hundreds" of full-time equivalents (FTEs) [4][5]. - The OCC plans to continue regulatory reforms in 2026, focusing on liquidity risk management and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering regulations [6]. - These reforms are seen as a necessary step to address regulatory policies established after the 2008 financial crisis that have impacted effective supervision of the banking system [7].

Core Points - PNC Financial Services Group has received regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition of FirstBank Holding Company, including its banking subsidiary [1][2] - The transaction is expected to close around January 5, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [2] - This acquisition is seen as a significant milestone for PNC, enhancing its national presence and capabilities [2][3] Company Overview - PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the U.S., offering a wide range of retail and business banking services, corporate banking, wealth management, and asset management [4] - FirstBank, based in Lakewood, Colorado, is one of the largest privately held banks in the U.S. and will strengthen PNC's footprint in the Rocky Mountain region and the Southwest [3][4] Integration Plans - Following the closing of the transaction, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national platform, focusing on treasury management, payments, and digital banking capabilities [2] - Full customer conversion from FirstBank to PNC is anticipated to occur by mid-2026 [2]

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. The Federal Reserve approved PNC’s application to acquire Colorado-based FirstBank, the central bank said Thursday. The green light for the $4.1 billion deal – which would triple PNC’s presence in Colorado and expand it in Arizona, too – came 94 days after the bank announced the transaction. The timeline from deal announcement to regulator sign-off has quickened sig ...

The US Federal Reserve gave PNC Financial Services Group Inc. the nod to purchase Colorado-based FirstBank Holding Co https://t.co/AZSx1U8r3k ...