Banking & Credit
Banks, lenders, credit markets and the plumbing of the financial system.
HSBC hints at bigger banker bonuses in second half if momentum holds
HSBC's CEO hinted that bankers could see bigger bonuses in the second half of 2026 if current momentum continues. The bonus pool is about 10
Metro Bank's turnaround gains traction as profit climbs 34%
Metro Bank's turnaround is showing results: first-half underlying pre-tax profit jumped 34% to £60.6m. The lender is leaning into higher-mar
HSBC lifts 2026 interest income target as first-half profit jumps
HSBC reported a stronger first half, with profit attributable to shareholders up to $14.63 billion. The bank also hardened its 2026 net inte
NatWest's strong Q2 prompts Berenberg to lift target, pull buybacks forward
Berenberg lifted its NatWest price target to £8.80 after a strong second quarter, and now expects share buybacks to begin in fiscal 2026—six
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank raises 2026 financing growth target to 18%-20%
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank raised its 2026 financing growth target to 18%-20% after Q2 net income rose 8.4% to 1.9 billion dirhams. United Secur
Maybank to Buy Out Ageas, Take Full Control of Etiqa Insurance
Malaysia's largest bank, Maybank, is buying out Belgian insurer Ageas to take full control of its Etiqa insurance and takaful arm. The 4.8 b
Nigeria's Insurance Recapitalization: 43 Firms Meet New Capital Rules
Nigeria's insurance regulator says 43 insurers and reinsurers met tougher minimum capital rules by the July 31 deadline, with eight more sti
Lloyds' new strategy lifts Berenberg's profit forecasts
Berenberg lifted its 2026-28 earnings forecasts for Lloyds after the bank's new strategy and strong second quarter. The broker also points t
ING lifts revenue targets, RBC raises price target to €32
ING raised its 2026-27 revenue targets after strong results, and RBC responded by lifting its price target to €32 and penciling in bigger bu
Banco BPM walks away from Monte dei Paschi merger as Italy tightens border checks
Banco BPM has dropped its pursuit of a merger with Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, ending months of speculation. Meanwhile, Italy has tempo
Monte Paschi weighs Banco BPM bid to block Intesa's banking ambitions
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is exploring a takeover of Banco BPM to block larger rival Intesa Sanpaolo, according to the Financial Times
Emirates NBD to buy HSBC Egypt's retail arm in $300M gain deal
Emirates NBD is acquiring HSBC Egypt's retail banking portfolio, including branches and customers. HSBC expects a $300 million pre-tax gain,