Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin sold over $8 million worth of tokens from his personal wallet over the weekend, onchain tracking platform Arkham shows. And he’s still unloading Ether in big batches at time of reporting. Onchain data shows Buterin continues to liquidate five-figure clips up to $85,000 worth of Ethereum for stablecoins through the decentralised exchange Cow Swap. Buterin’s move extends his $7 million in Ether selling from earlier in February. He said that selloff aimed to fund new ini ...

Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB) Group’s 2025 net profit held steady at SFr166.5m ($214.9m) , with acquisition activity driving an increase in its assets. In 2024, the company had reported a net profit SFr167.2m. Operating income reached SFr611.6m, marking an 8.1% growth from SFr565.8m in 2024. The group’s increase in income was largely due to the acquisition and integration of the former ZKB Österreich. In 2025, LLB closed the acquisition of Zürcher Kantonalbank Österreich. Net fee and commission ...

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Centerview Partners has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed against the boutique investment bank by a former junior banker who was terminated after telling the firm she needed eight hours of sleep a night to manage a mood and anxiety disorder. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Trial in the case was set to begin Monday and could have been closely watched – pa ...

IDFC First BankShares of IDFC First Bank tanked 20% on Monday before ending that day at Rs 70.09, down 13%. The stock fell after the lender informed exchanges that certain employees at its Chandigarh branch were allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions amounting to Rs 590 crore from accounts linked to the Haryana government. The bank has suspended four officials and said that it will pursue strict disciplinary action. ...

Sweden’s financial regulator has initiated a review into Swedbank’s compliance with anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations, focusing on whether the bank’s customer vetting processes were adequate, reported Reuters. In a statement to Retail Banker International, the Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) said: "The investigation covers the bank’s measures to obtain and maintain adequate customer due diligence." The probe will assess Swedbank’s due diligence measures from December 2023 through November 20 ...

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Monday (February 23, 2026), tracking gains in PSU bank, auto and financial stocks, as investors' sentiments improved after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's sweeping tariffs.The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 479.95 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 83,294.66. During the session, the benchmark jumped 671.44 points, or 0.81%, to hit an intraday high of 83,486.15.Also Read | Tariffs in trouble: On the U.S. Supreme Court and Donal ...

JPMorgan Chase has confirmed that it terminated bank accounts belonging to former US resident Donald Trump and several businesses associated with him in the weeks following the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The bank’s disclosure was made through a recent court filing in response to an ongoing lawsuit brought by Trump against both JPMorgan and its CEO, Jamie Dimon. Trump’s suit seeks $5bn in damages and claims that his accounts were closed due to political motivations, which he argues interrup ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on February 23, 2026, with S&P 500 futures down approximately 0.5% and Nasdaq 100 futures showing similar trends due to proposed increases in global tariffs from 10% to 15% [1] - The S&P 500 index fell to around 6,873 points, a decline of 0.53% from the previous session, yet remains nearly 15% higher than a year ago, indicating long-term resilience [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average is near the historic 50,000 milestone, benefiting from a rotation into "real economy" sectors, while the Nasdaq Composite faced challenges due to uncertainty around tariffs [3] Upcoming Events - Nvidia's quarterly earnings report is anticipated to provide insights into the sustainability of the AI infrastructure buildout, with analysts expecting continued growth in data center revenue [4] - Investors are preparing for high-impact economic data releases, including durable goods orders and new home sales, which will shed light on the manufacturing and housing sectors [5] Corporate Developments - There is a notable rotation into industrial and consumer defensive stocks, with Caterpillar benefiting from demand for power generation equipment for AI data centers, while Walmart and Costco are outperforming due to cost-conscious consumer spending [6] - IDFC First Bank's shares dropped nearly 20% due to reports of fraudulent activities, highlighting risks in the global financial sector, while Adani Ports gained 3.5% after a strategic agreement with Brazil's Vale S.A. for iron ore logistics [7] Technology Sector - The "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks showed mixed results, with Apple and Microsoft experiencing modest gains, while Amazon and Alphabet faced early pressure; Tesla remains a focus as investors consider the impact of new trade barriers on the electric vehicle market [8]

Core Insights - Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and home equity loans are currently offering some of the lowest interest rates in years, providing homeowners with an opportunity to unlock the value in their homes without selling or refinancing their primary mortgage [1] Interest Rates - The average adjustable rate for HELOCs is 7.23%, while the national average fixed rate for home equity loans is 7.44%, based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value ratio of less than 70% [2] - HELOC interest rates differ from primary mortgage rates, being based on an index rate plus a margin, with the current prime rate at 6.75% [5] - The best HELOC lenders are offering rates as low as 5.99% for introductory periods, which will convert to adjustable rates after one year [8] Benefits of HELOC and Home Equity Loans - A HELOC allows homeowners to draw from an approved line of credit as needed, while a home equity loan provides a lump sum [3] - Homeowners with low primary mortgage rates can benefit from obtaining a HELOC or home equity loan without losing their favorable mortgage rate, allowing them to use the cash for various purposes [11] Lender Flexibility and Comparison - Lenders have flexibility in pricing second mortgage products, making it essential for borrowers to shop around for the best rates based on their credit score and debt levels [6] - The best home equity loan lenders may be easier to find due to the fixed rate lasting throughout the repayment period, simplifying the borrowing process [9] Monthly Payments and Loan Structure - For a $50,000 home equity line of credit at a 7.25% interest rate, the monthly payment during the 10-year draw period would be approximately $302, but this rate is variable and may increase during the repayment period [12]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has reduced its target interest rate three times in 2025, impacting deposit account rates and presenting a potential opportunity to secure high certificate of deposit (CD) rates before they decrease further [1]. Group 1: Current CD Rates - The highest CD rate available today is 4% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for a 1-year CD [2]. - Today's average CD rates are among the highest seen in nearly two decades, significantly exceeding the national average rates [3]. Group 2: National Average CD Rates - The national average interest rate for a 1-year CD is currently 1.55%, which is considerably lower than the best available rates [3]. - The elevated average CD rates are largely a result of the Federal Reserve's actions to combat inflation by maintaining higher interest rates [3]. Group 3: Finding the Best CD Rates - It is advisable for consumers to shop around and compare CD rates from various financial institutions to find the best options [4]. - Online banks typically offer more competitive rates due to lower overhead costs, making them a preferred choice for higher interest rates on CDs [4]. - Consumers should check minimum deposit requirements and review account terms, including early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies, to ensure they select a CD that aligns with their financial goals [4].