“Loan-to-Deposit Ratio Still Lags Below Pre-Pandemic Numbers”
The banking industry’s LTD ratio remained around 66% in the fourth quarter of 2025, below pre-pandemic levels, with larger institutions reporting lower median ratios. Banks continue to focus on growing low-cost core deposits even as loan demand remains relatively soft.
“Banks Are Sitting on a Data Goldmine and Watching Their Competitors Dig It Up”
Banks have lots of customer data but often struggle to use it effectively. AI and real-time analytics can help turn that information into personalized guidance that strengthens relationships, improves retention, and drives growth, one expert says.
“The Next Wave of AI in Banking Will Have Nothing to Do with Technology”
As AI adoption accelerates, banks are increasingly focused on business results instead of the technology itself. The challenge now is putting the right people, plans, and oversight in place to implement AI effectively across the bank.
“5 Bank Failure-Related Changes the FDIC Is Considering”
FDIC Chair Travis Hill outlined several proposed changes to how the agency manages bank failures, including lower insurance premiums for banks that are better prepared for a potential failure, a larger role for private investors in failed-bank sales, and changes to the FDIC’s process for handling failed banks.
“Jeanine Pirro’s Prosecutors Probe Big Banks for Alleged ‘Debanking’”
The DOJ has issued subpoenas to several large banks as part of an investigation into allegations that customers were improperly denied banking services for political reasons. The inquiry follows broader federal reviews of alleged debanking practices and comes after President Trump said JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America denied him banking services after his first term in office.
“The World According to French”
House Financial Services Chair French Hill is proving adept at advancing complex financial legislation, including housing and digital asset proposals. His ability to build bipartisan support may influence several major policy debates before the midterm elections.
Punchbowl’s Brenden Pedersen highlighted Hill’s recent housing legislation accomplishments on this week’s episode of Banking with Interest.
“Trump Nominates CFPB’s Former No. 2 as Director”
President Trump nominated former CFPB Deputy Director Brian Johnson to lead the embattled agency. Johnson previously served at the agency from 2018 to 2020 and would replace acting director Russ Vought if confirmed.
In Other News
Citigroup launched a blockchain-based platform where investors can buy tokenized interests in private companies, Denmark held its annual mullet championship (seemingly an odd country to host that particular competition), and check out this year’s rankings of the top-40 community bank leaders under 40 years old.