In an era where presidential pronouncements often hit the market faster than a high-frequency trading algorithm, Donald J. Trump continues to be the gift that keeps on giving – to headline writers, at least. From capping credit card interest rates to threatening global trade wars, the former (and potentially future) occupant of the Oval Office has mastered the art of market manipulation through sheer, unadulterated declaration. Investors, it seems, have learned to strap in, because when Trump speaks, the D ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, today announced the promotion of Ian Smith to Chief Operating Officer. Scott Peyree previously served as Chief Operating Officer before he was appointed Chief Executive Officer following the passing of founder Doug Lebda. Laura Nelson will step into the Head of Insurance role following Smith's transition. The leadership appointments reflect LendingTree's continued focu ...

The rates that individual customers pay depend on their credit history. Banks and other lenders charge more to those with lower credit scores or curtail their lending to higher-risk customers when the economy wobbles. Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is leaning toward cutting interest rates again in 2026, but that doesn't mean that all consumer borrowing costs would fall equally. Credit cards and high-yield savings accounts are more closely tied to Fed policy, as the Fed has a heavier influence over short- ...

Key Points By improving access to credit for certain borrowers, Upstart has found a clear use case for AI. American Express benefits from its strong brand presence and a powerful network effect. The best investment choice depends on your individual risk tolerance and return objective. 10 stocks we like better than American Express › Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST) is a true innovator. The entire business model centers on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the lending process, with expanded ...

BasePoint Capital has finalised the acquisition of International Personal Finance (IPF) for £543m ($733m), with all-cash terms agreed ahead of the 31 December deadline. The BasePoint Capital acquisition will provide IPF shareholders with 235 pence per share, matching the price BasePoint initially proposed in September. IPF, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK, provides unsecured consumer credit and related services to underserved customers in nine markets, including Romania, Poland, Hungary, Mexico, the ...

With a market cap of $262.3 billion, American Express Company (AXP) is an integrated global payments company offering credit cards, charge cards, banking, payment, financing, and related services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Operating across multiple regions and business segments, it also provides merchant services, fraud prevention, expense management solutions, and premium travel and lifestyle offerings. The New York-based company is set to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 results on Friday, Jan. ...

Core Viewpoint - Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is positioned positively in the financial services sector, with a price target suggesting potential growth for investors [1][4]. Company Overview - Capital One offers a variety of financial products, including credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings accounts, competing with major players like JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo [1]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $152.88 billion, indicating a strong market presence [4]. Stock Performance - As of December 15, 2025, COF's stock price was $240.76, reflecting a positive outlook with a recent increase of 1.10% [2]. - The stock has fluctuated between $238.05 and $241 during the trading day, with a yearly high of $243.31 and a low of $143.22 [2]. Analyst Insights - Mihir Bhatia from Capital One set a price target of $268 for COF, indicating an 11.31% potential increase from its current price [1]. - Despite recent share sales by Representative Julie Johnson, the overall stock performance and analyst projections suggest a favorable outlook for COF [3][4].

But I remember when I look at a a card company like Capital One, I always say, you know what, there are people who don't pay and because of them, I'm paying a huge amount. Now, how about we just cut out all the people who don't pay and then I can I don't have to pay much at all. Correct.>> You're summarizing our business model pretty well right there. If you get really good at underwriting, you don't have to charge late fees. You don't have to throw in some hidden charges here and there. you most certainly ...

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Merchant groups attacked a settlement to end decades of litigation over card networks’ interchange fees, alleging in court filings this week that the proposed pact still gives Visa and Mastercard far too much legal immunity and leeway to set fees. Several of the objecting merchants said Friday that the settlement reached last month largely resembles a prior agreem ...

Core Insights - Customer satisfaction at the largest U.S. banks increased in 2025, with a notable decline in satisfaction among customers over age 65 for the first time in five years [1][3][13] - The average customer satisfaction score across nine major banks rose by eight points to 666 in 2025 [13] - Capital One Financial ranked first for the sixth consecutive year with a score of 702, while Wells Fargo ranked last for the first time since 2021 [7][12] Customer Satisfaction Trends - The 2025 U.S. National Banking Satisfaction Study surveyed over 11,000 retail banking customers, indicating a shift in preferences among older customers who are seeking more than just digital services [2][3] - Seniors are increasingly turning to alternative financial advice sources, such as credit unions and pension providers, due to their complex financial needs [3] - Customers reported improved understanding of credit card rewards, reflecting a desire for more value amid tighter budgets [4][10] Bank Rankings and Performance - U.S. Bancorp improved its ranking from fourth to second, surpassing JPMorgan Chase, which had held the second position since 2022 [8] - Bank of America experienced the largest increase in customer satisfaction, rising 21 points to fourth place from eighth in 2024 [8] - TD Bank saw the most significant drop in satisfaction, falling from third to eighth place with a 17-point decrease [9] Regulatory and Operational Context - Wells Fargo's customer satisfaction score decreased by only two points, despite being freed from a $1.9 trillion asset cap earlier in the year, allowing for more growth flexibility [12] - TD Bank is focusing on enhancing its U.S. operations and technology after facing regulatory challenges [11]