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The Banker

@thebanker.bsky.social

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The Banker is the key source of data and analysis for the world's banking sector.

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The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 19h

Exclusive data given to The Banker reveals the 50 fastest-growing banks worldwide. With some surprising inclusions and the absence of major players, the findings shed new light on shifting global perceptions.

Read more: on.ft.com/3J3fuCX

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 2d

AI is reshaping banking, but real progress means measurable gains in both productivity and growth. Our latest Strategy Monitor analysis explores how leading banks are overcoming legacy barriers to turn efficiency into sustainable growth.

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Why banks struggle to turn AI efficiency into growth

Lenders face a choice: leave AI as a back-office tool, or harness it to power real transformation

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 3d

Former OCC head Michael Hsu warns that Trump-era deregulation risks “planting the seeds of the next 2008”. He urges oversight and mimicking of “AI gyms” to test innovation safely before exposing markets.

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Former OCC chief Hsu warns Trump administration ‘planting the seeds’ of next financial crisis

Looser rules threaten systemic shock on scale of 2008

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 5d

The Net-Zero Banking Alliance has dissolved. Once representing $75.5tn in assets, it now provides guidance only—a move commentators see as a major setback for collective climate action.

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Climate alliance NZBA disbands as banks vote for guidance-only role

The group’s downfall follows the departure of prominent banks and pressure from the US

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The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 7d

Major banks funding Saudi Arabia’s green energy projects face warnings over systemic migrant worker abuse. Research highlights risks for lenders from wage theft, recruitment fees and unsafe labour conditions.

on.ft.com/4nwbppM

HSBC and JPMorgan linked to worker abuse claims in Saudi renewables projects

Report warns global banks face risks from financing projects linked to the abuse of migrant workers

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 8d

Exclusive: SumUp is seeking an EU banking licence next year, followed by the UK, as it targets SME banking. With 4mn merchants and IPO ambitions, it aims to disrupt incumbents by expanding into lending and deposits.

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Fintech SumUp targets EU and UK banking licences

Company says incumbents have failed to sufficiently invest in small business banking

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 8d

Banks face a choice: stand firm on climate or yield to political pressure. Satya Tripathi of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet warns it’s time for finance to rediscover its purpose and deploy capital responsibly.

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Banks face ‘penalty for just being in the room’ as climate debate turns political

Focus on nature rather than net zero more likely to succeed, says former UN environment head

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 10d

Trump’s $100k H-1B visa fee could reshape global banking talent flows. US banks face $14bn in added costs while London and others eye the chance to attract skilled professionals away from Wall Street.

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Trump’s H1-B visa fee rise puts pressure on Wall Street hiring

UK aims to capitalise on US policy shift to lure skilled workers

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 12d

Shapiom Noningo Sesen travelled from the Peruvian Amazon to Climate Week NYC to urge banks to see first-hand the impact of oil financing. He calls for investment in people and preservation, not extraction.

on.ft.com/3VBtG8Y

Amazon indigenous leader to banks: ‘Come and live with us for a day’

Lenders called to witness oil damage first-hand during climate conference in New York

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 14d

BNY’s Alejandro Perez reflects on 241 years of history while driving future growth through efficiency, client focus and AI. With 98% of staff using in-house AI engine Eliza, scale and resilience are front and centre.

on.ft.com/4gACrcS

BNY pursues ‘growth at pace’ with AI and fresh talent

The bank’s chief administrative officer on blending Alexander Hamilton’s legacy with modernisation

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 16d

New: Strategy Monitor

UK banks lifted AI headcount by 19% even as overall staff dropped. Competition with tech firms and fintechs is fierce, making the right AI hires a strategic priority. Follow the series as we track how banks tackle the AI challenge.

on.ft.com/3IDylEr

How AI is driving a structural shift in UK banks’ hiring strategies

Demand for AI and data talent is running red hot — what can lenders do to stand out?

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 16d

Standard Chartered faces OECD scrutiny over financing coal plants in the Philippines. Regulators will examine whether its due diligence met guidelines, underscoring rising pressure on banks’ fossil fuel financing.

on.ft.com/46Pkfcc

Standard Chartered faces OECD probe over coal financing

Bank accused of failing due diligence over financing of Philippine coal plants

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 19d

The ECB faces money market volatility as banks adapt to shrinking reserves. Unlike the BoE’s direct repo-led approach, the ECB’s delay in detailing new tools is leaving smaller lenders exposed.

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ECB faces money market turmoil over unclear liquidity tools, analysts warn

Lenders need more clarity as QE wind-down gathers pace

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 20d

UK banks face tougher scrutiny as misleading sustainability claims now fall under the new “failure to prevent fraud” offence. Liability extends to employees and third parties, prompting tighter controls on green product sales.

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UK makes banks’ false sustainability claims a criminal offence

Lower liability threshold may embolden challenges to lenders’ climate commitments

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 21d

Debanking is pushing smaller economies towards non-dollar systems, from crypto to Chinese banks. RUSI warns this weakens western influence and risks financial security unless policy frameworks adapt.

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Global financial security threatened by debanking, warns think-tank

Small island states and less developed economies are pursuing non-dollar-based alternatives

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 23d

Challenger banks now serve half of UK SMEs, winning ground with personalised services and agile apps. The banking opportunity is clear, as a quarter of small businesses plan to expand in the year ahead.

on.ft.com/4plHySt

Half of UK SMEs now use fintechs for business banking

Smaller companies want tailored product recommendations and better banking apps

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 23d

Citi will spend $1.5bn refurbishing its UK headquarters, reinforcing its commitment to London as peers scale back in Canary Wharf.

With 10,000 London-based staff, the bank’s move signals confidence in the district’s future role in global finance.

on.ft.com/4ppGMnq

Citi to spend $1.5bn on London HQ refit in further boost for Canary Wharf

The US investment bank has disclosed the figure ahead of Donald Trump’s state visit

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 27d

Monzo has held eight Treasury meetings since Labour took office, up from just one under the Conservatives. As Wall Street giants like JPMorgan saw ministerial engagement drop, it appears challenger banks are increasingly shaping the policy conversation.

on.ft.com/41OfKvV

Monzo’s meetings with Treasury officials soar under Labour

The rise comes as Rachel Reeves continues her push to remove financial red tape

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 27d

SEC chair Paul Atkins says most crypto tokens are not securities and vows clear rules to spur adoption. Backed by Trump’s agenda, the SEC is rolling out new initiatives to encourage innovation and expand regulated digital asset markets.

on.ft.com/4pjd976

SEC chair seeks to make ‘America the crypto capital of the world’

Paul Atkins tells OECD conference that the US wants to lead the way in digital assets

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 28d

The OCC’s new “debanking” rules will force US banks to document refusals on a case-by-case basis and revisit past closures, creating significant compliance challenges.

on.ft.com/46mWw1Y

Tougher debanking rules will have ‘big consequences’ for US banks

Experts say tougher rules are not just political grandstanding and must be taken seriously by lenders

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · 29d

The FCA’s Nikhil Rathi warned that “a very significant portion” motor finance deals likely breached rules, suggesting redress costs could exceed current estimates. Larger banks can absorb this, but smaller lenders face higher pressure.

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‘Significant proportion’ of motor finance cases were illegal, FCA warns

FCA boss Nikhil Rathi raises concerns that lenders have not put enough aside for the incoming redress scheme

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · Sep 8

UK bank stocks slid after calls for a levy on QE-related reserves, but analysts say the sell-off was “not justified”. With banks already heavily taxed, further measures risk clashing with the government’s pro-growth agenda.

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UK bank levy: share sell-off was ‘unjustified’ say analysts

NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds all saw a drop in share price after a think-tank proposed a tax on bank profits

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · Sep 5

India’s non-bank financial companies face fresh curbs from the central bank aimed at cutting hidden leverage. While stabilising risk, experts warn this could curb lending and growth, with mergers and consolidation likely as firms adapt.

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India’s shadow banking clampdown sparks fears of slower growth

New regulation aligns shadow and traditional bank lending regulation

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · Sep 4

Asia-Pacific recorded a 69% surge in crypto inflows to $2.36tn, making it the fastest-growing region, with India, Vietnam and Pakistan driving adoption.

on.ft.com/45MqZY3

Crypto adoption soars across Asia, data shows

Elsewhere, euro-backed stablecoins see rapid uptake

The Banker @thebanker.bsky.social · Sep 3

The Bank of England has paid a record £33mn in staff bonuses, with 95% of employees receiving awards. The bonuses come as governor Andrew Bailey continues to stress commitment to the 2% inflation target.

on.ft.com/3UXCxBv

Bank of England pays out £33mn in bonuses

The latest round of bonuses brings total payouts by the UK central bank to £87mn since 2023

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