Key takeaways It is common for at least a few banks to fail in a year. One bank has failed in 2026, to date, while 2025 and 2024 each saw two bank failures. Storing your money in an FDIC-insured bank will help protect your funds. Chicago-based Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust closed its doors on Jan. 30, 2026. The bank had total assets of $261.1 million and total deposits of $212.1 million as of last September, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). Deposits in the bank (excludi ...

Since taking office in 2025, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has been on a mission to shake the city out of a post-pandemic economic slump.    A political outsider, Lurie was previously best known as an heir to the Levi Strauss family fortune and a philanthropist focused on poverty-fighting initiatives. Now, Lurie has leveraged his connections across industries to boost the city’s reputation and economy following a slow recovery. Years after the pandemic, San Francisco’s downtown is still struggling with a ...

Core Insights - Bipartisan bills aimed at limiting the acquisition of failed banks by the largest financial institutions have passed the House Financial Services Committee, signaling a collaborative effort to address issues highlighted by recent bank failures [2][6]. Legislative Developments - The bills must still pass the full House and Senate and receive presidential approval, facing a tight legislative schedule ahead of the midterm elections [2]. - One significant bill, authored by Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., proposes to waive the least-cost resolution requirement of the FDIC when such a requirement would lead to increased bank consolidation [4][6]. Key Provisions - The least-cost resolution requirement mandates the FDIC to select the bid for a failed bank that results in the least loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund, but the new bill allows for exceptions in cases where larger banks would benefit disproportionately [4][6]. - Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., supports the reform but emphasizes the need for provisions to prevent large institutions from manipulating the bidding process [5]. Additional Measures - The committee also passed other bipartisan measures, including a bill requiring the FDIC and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to study modified bids in the failed bank bidding process [5]. - Another bill aims to restrict the use of concentration limit exceptions, which were previously utilized in JPMorgan's bid for First Republic Bank [5].

Core Insights - Bank stocks are positioned to benefit from favorable conditions as interest rates decline and investment banking rebounds, making them a solid choice for portfolio diversification [2] Group 1: JPMorgan Chase - JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the U.S. with total assets exceeding $3.8 trillion, nearly 50% larger than Bank of America and more than Citigroup and Wells Fargo combined [4] - The bank has a strong track record under CEO Jamie Dimon, successfully navigating economic challenges and emerging from the 2008 financial crisis [5] - JPMorgan's net interest income is projected to reach around $95 billion next year, reflecting a 3% increase from the current year, supported by robust capital market activity [8] - The bank effectively managed the rising interest rate environment in 2022 and 2023, leading to significant growth in net interest income [6][7] Group 2: Goldman Sachs - Goldman Sachs is expected to benefit from a rebound in capital markets, with a 40% increase in initial public offerings (IPOs) this year compared to 2024, raising total proceeds to $36.4 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase [11] - Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity has increased by 8.3%, with total deal value surging 146.5% year-over-year, indicating a strong recovery in deal-making [12] - The bank's CFO noted strong momentum in their backlog, the highest in three years, suggesting continued growth in M&A activity heading into 2026 [13] Group 3: Citigroup - Citigroup has lagged behind peers in key metrics like return on equity, attributed to its complex business structure and regulatory challenges [14] - Under CEO Jane Fraser, Citigroup is undergoing a transformation, including cutting bonuses and selling off less profitable units, such as a 25% stake in its Mexico retail bank for approximately $2.3 billion [15][17] - Citigroup trades at a price-to-tangible book value (P/TBV) of 1.14, making it more attractive to value-seeking investors compared to JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs [18]

Core Insights - The U.S. government intervened during the regional banking crisis in 2023, promising to protect uninsured depositors and limit contagion risks [1][2] - The resolution of PacWest Bancorp involved a private-sector rescue, with significant capital injections from private equity firms [3][12] - The Federal Reserve played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the sale of PacWest, incentivizing private equity firms to invest [4][10] Government Intervention - Following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the government took actions to protect depositors and stabilize the banking sector [1] - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provided 80% loss coverage on loans during the First Republic Bank acquisition by JPMorganChase [2] PacWest Bancorp's Situation - PacWest faced rapid deposit flight and liquidity issues, leading to its eventual sale to Banc of California [3][19] - The bank had sold $1 billion in securities at a loss and experienced significant deposit outflows following the collapse of SVB [19][20] Role of the Federal Reserve - Comments from banking lawyer Randall Guynn revealed that the Fed expedited the approval process for the TIAA bank sale, which was unrelated to the banking crisis, to facilitate a private-sector solution for PacWest [4][10][11] - The Fed's general counsel indicated readiness to approve the TIAA transaction quickly, influenced by private equity firms' willingness to invest in troubled banks [11][12] Private Equity Involvement - Warburg Pincus and Centerbridge Partners committed a combined $400 million to the PacWest deal, demonstrating the viability of private-sector solutions amid liquidity crises [3][23][25] - The involvement of private equity firms was complicated by regulatory scrutiny, as they cannot control banks under current regulations [9] Regulatory Environment - The approval process for bank mergers and acquisitions slowed under the Biden administration compared to previous administrations, impacting the timeline for TIAA's bank sale [8][9] - The rapid approval of the TIAA transaction highlighted that regulatory processes can be expedited when there is a perceived need for urgency [15][16] Industry Implications - The events surrounding PacWest and the role of the Fed may reignite discussions about the appropriateness of the Fed's involvement in private-sector deals during crises [10][37] - Concerns have been raised about the potential for conflicts of interest and the revolving door between government and private sectors, particularly involving former officials like Tim Geithner [32][36]

Core Insights - The recent government shutdown has led to increased interest in data from the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) to assess the banking system's strength [1][5] - Cash loans to commercial banks from FHLBs decreased by 6% in Q3 to $693.5 million compared to $736.1 million a year earlier, with net income remaining flat at $1.5 billion [2][6] - Experts caution against interpreting the decline in advances as a sign of abundant liquidity in the financial system [3][6] Financial Data and Trends - The dip in FHLB advances is attributed to a lack of financial data due to the government shutdown, affecting the collection of key economic indicators [5] - The Federal Reserve's decision to end quantitative tightening on December 1 suggests a tightening liquidity environment [4] FHLB Operations and Historical Context - FHLBs provide loans, known as "advances," to financial institutions that pledge collateral, typically mortgage loans and U.S. Treasuries [2][11] - The FHLB system has been a reliable source of liquidity, especially during financial crises, such as the regional bank crisis in early 2023 [9][10] - During the pandemic in March 2020, advances peaked at $807 billion, but subsequently declined as federal stimulus increased deposits in financial institutions [10] Regulatory and Governance Issues - The FHLB system's dual mission of providing liquidity and supporting housing has faced scrutiny, leading to proposed changes during the Biden administration [12] - Recent studies indicate that FHLB advances contribute to the stability of the banking system, with a net subsidy to FHLB members estimated at $6.9 billion for fiscal 2024 [14]

Core Insights - A healthy organizational culture is essential for a bank's long-term success, influencing employee behavior and collaboration [3][9] - The saying "Culture eats strategy for breakfast" highlights the importance of culture in achieving strategic goals [2] Peapack-Gladstone Financial - Peapack-Gladstone Financial, with $7.4 billion in assets, has prioritized culture during its expansion in New York City, hiring many bankers from failed banks [5][6] - The company increased its workforce by 30% over 18 to 24 months, emphasizing clear communication to integrate diverse cultures [6][10] - Peapack's New York expansion has resulted in nearly $2 billion in new deposits and significant growth in client relationships and assets under management [11][12] Pinnacle Financial Partners - Pinnacle Financial Partners, ranked fourth on the Best Banks to Work For list, faces cultural challenges amid its merger with Synovus Financial [13] - Concerns exist regarding the preservation of Pinnacle's unique corporate culture and its ability to maintain growth post-merger [14][15] - Both CEOs have committed to preserving Pinnacle's recruiting and compensation models during the integration process [15][17] BankIowa - BankIowa's values statement has significantly impacted its performance, contributing to improved retention rates and financial results [18][19] - The bank reported a net income of $5 million in the first half of 2025, with a return on assets exceeding 1.2% [20] - The alignment of the company's values with its operations has fostered a supportive culture, enhancing employee satisfaction [21][22]

Since the 2008 financial crisis, U.S. bank failures have become relatively rare — but they haven’t disappeared. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) maintains a detailed record of every bank that has closed its doors. The following is a look at bank failures from 2015 through 2025, offering a snapshot of how stability within the banking industry has evolved over the past decade. What does it mean when a bank fails? A bank failure occurs when a bank is closed by a federal or state regulatory ...

Core Insights - First Western Financial, Inc. has appointed Alex McDougall as Regional President for its Arizona offices, bringing over 18 years of experience in private banking and wealth management [1][2] - McDougall previously held senior roles at JPMorgan and First Republic Bank, where he achieved significant growth in market share and deposits [1][2] - His appointment reflects First Western Trust's strategic investment in Arizona, emphasizing community engagement and support for local businesses [3][4] Company Strategy - First Western Trust aims to strengthen its presence in Arizona, a key growth market, by focusing on client service and community involvement [3][5] - The firm continues to support local entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations through partnerships and philanthropy [4][5] - Leadership at First Western believes that exceptional client service and personal connection are critical differentiators in the banking industry [4] Leadership and Experience - Alex McDougall has received multiple industry accolades, including the President's Circle Award and Top Contributions to Banking Award, highlighting his ability to drive client satisfaction and business growth [2] - His leadership style aligns with First Western's philosophy of serving as trusted advisors, which is expected to enhance the firm's client-focused approach in Arizona [4][5] - McDougall holds a Business Administration degree and has served on various nonprofit boards, indicating a commitment to community service [5]

When Weill left American Express in 1985, Dimon followed . The pair ran Commercial Credit, a company they would build into the financial-services conglomerate Citigroup .Dimon's finance skills were clear from early on. At the behest of his mentor, the financier Sandy Weill , he turned down offers from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to accept a job at American Express after graduating from Harvard.Dimon graduated from Tufts University, where he majored in psychology and economics. After a stint as a manage ...