“U.S. Bank Regulators Move to Finalize Treasuries-Linked Capital Plan”
Regulators have agreed on changes to the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio that would ease capital requirements on low-risk assets like Treasuries, tying the standard more closely to each firm’s systemic footprint. The final plan is now at the White House for review, with agencies aiming to adopt it in the coming weeks.
“Trump Administration Declares CFPB Funding Illegal”
The DOJ told a federal court that the CFPB cannot legally request money from the Fed because the central bank currently has no profits. The CFPB says it can operate only through year-end, and DOJ has warned of possible layoffs unless Congress steps in with direct funding.
“Fed’s Waller Says Central Bank Moving Fast on ‘Skinny’ Account”
Fed Governor Christopher Waller said this week that the central bank is developing a “skinny” payments account for eligible institutions that don’t need (or can’t obtain) a full master account. The goal is to tailor Fed payments access to an institution’s risk profile while supporting competition in the market.
“Chime Grabs Up Market Share for New Checking Accounts”
Chime now accounts for about 13% of all new checking account openings, according to J.D. Power, ahead of major national banks. Analysts warn that many consumers open secondary accounts with fintechs like Chime and then gradually shift direct deposit and daily spending away from their primary bank.
“A New Playbook for Youth Banking: What Fintechs Got Right, and How to Catch Up”
Fintech apps such as Venmo and Robinhood have won over young customers by solving everyday problems like splitting checks or learning to invest, one expert argues. She says that gamified financial education and modern youth platforms can help banks build long-term relationships with the next generation.
“Rethinking the Small Business Relationship in a Digital Age”
The U.S. has more than 36 million small businesses, with about a third seeking stronger fraud tools and nearly 40% exploring tech-enabled financial services. To meet rising expectations of small business customers who value both security and innovation, banks should move from standalone products to integrated digital experiences, this article says.
“Atlanta Fed President Bostic to Retire in February”
Raphael Bostic will retire as president of the Atlanta Fed at the end of his term in February 2026. His departure will eventually open a voting seat on the Fed’s interest-rate committee, though he isn’t a voting member next year.
In Other News
The record-long U.S. government shutdown ended thanks to a secret bipartisan meeting, a string of museum heists has exposed serious security gaps at the Louvre and other French institutions, and new Epstein documents released this week reveal nine notable findings.