Global Banks Push Back Against Fragmentation

The world’s largest banks are urging regulators to rethink a growing shift towards nationally driven financial reforms, warning that the replacement of global standards with domestic rules risks undermining stability despite short-term market optimism. Recent and anticipated regulatory changes in the United States, United

Bank of England gold dispute hits finance

The Bank of England’s custody of Venezuelan gold reserves has resurfaced as a contentious financial issue, highlighting the complex intersection of sovereign assets, diplomatic recognition and global financial markets. London holds roughly

Flutterwave acquisition signals fintech consolidation

Nigeria’s largest payments technology company, Flutterwave, has completed the acquisition of open banking startup Mono in an all-stock transaction valued at between $25 million and $40 million, marking one of the rare notable exits in Africa’s fintech ecosystem. The move

AI-Led Inflation Risk Looms For Markets

Global investors are warning that 2026 could bring a significant inflationary challenge driven largely by sustained and heavy investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and

BBVA, OpenAI Alliance Accelerates Banking AI

Spanish banking group BBVA and artificial intelligence developer OpenAI have formalised a strategic alliance aimed at embedding generative AI deeply into financial services, signalling a new phase in how technology is reshaping the banking sector. The collaboration, announced by BBVA’s chair Carlos Torres Vila

UK Banks To Guide Customers’ Investments

UK banks are preparing to offer more personalised guidance on how customers might allocate their savings and investment funds, a shift that reflects evolving financial services strategies aimed at strengthening client engagement and confidence in turbulent markets. The proposals, reported by the BBC, suggest

ECB backs simpler, not weaker, bank rules

The European Central Bank is preparing to propose a significant simplification of capital-buffer regulation for banks – not by reducing requirements, but by streamlining the number and complexity of buffers currently in place. The move reflects recognition within the bank that overlapping regulatory layers

Klarna expands Apple Pay instalments to France, Italy

Klarna has extended its partnership with Apple Pay into two of Europe’s largest consumer markets – France and Italy – enabling users to pay via monthly instalments directly through Apple Pay’s checkout flow. This brings the number of countries where Klarna’s flexible-payment services are

Fintech ecosystems reshape Africa’s financial landscape

Fintech development across Africa is accelerating as industry growth becomes increasingly anchored in interconnected ecosystems rather than isolated innovation. Collaborations involving startups, banks, mobile operators, investors and regulators are now central to

US banks commit to major UK expansion after budget

Shortly after the UK budget, two major US banks unveiled plans to significantly increase their footprint in Britain, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s financial-services environment. JPMorgan said it will build a

Sterling rises ahead of UK budget announcement

The British pound strengthened modestly as markets positioned themselves ahead of the UK government’s much-anticipated budget. Financial markets appear cautiously optimistic that the forthcoming measures may avoid overly aggressive tax hikes while

Quantum computing reshapes bank performance systems

Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative force in banking, with the potential to redefine financial performance across multiple dimensions. According to McKinsey & Company, leading banks are already exploring applications that

European banks offer investors sweeteners

European lenders are increasingly deploying incentives to maintain investor interest as the sector’s rally shows signs of stalling. The move comes amid softer earnings and rising concerns over economic growth, prompting banks

EU harmonises insolvency laws for investment

The European Union has reached a provisional agreement to harmonise core insolvency laws across its 27 member states, seeking to remove legal barriers to cross-border investment and integrate capital markets more deeply.

UK raises bank deposit guarantee to 120000

The Bank of England (BoE) on 18 November 2025 announced that the deposit protection limit under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) will be raised to £120,000 per person from the current £85,000, a roughly 40 % increase aimed at reinforcing

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