Ebrima Santos Sanneh

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects negotiations with trading partners over tariffs to conclude by the end of the year but acknowledged that talks with China had not yet begun.

A new survey conducted by IntraFi found that nearly three-quarters of bank executives say a recession is here or imminent, and tariffs now rank among their top three economic concerns.

The agency is offering buyouts and early retirement incentives for employees, with layoffs possible if targets aren't met, as part of the Trump administration's overall downsizing of the federal government.

A Department of Government Efficiency team is working with FDIC leadership to "increase efficiency," which could include cuts to contracts and streamlining staff. FDIC says DOGE staffers have "appropriate clearances."

In a speech at the American Bankers Association Washington Summit Wednesday morning, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed economic risks from tariffs, floated capital reforms and urged regulatory relief for community banks.

The issues are hindering the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s ability to meet its regulatory duties, according to the agency's Office of Inspector General. 

An executive order issued late Friday cut the Treasury Department Community Development Financial Institution Fund and other federal programs to their legal minimum.

A Maryland judge temporarily halted mass layoffs of probationary employees at multiple agencies, citing legal violations and harm to states' ability to respond to unemployment needs.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced new state legislation to ban unfair and abusive business practices, giving state regulators broader authority to crack down on consumer abuses.

A March 2025 survey by the National Association for Business Economics shows growing inflation concerns — and a diminishing chance of rate cuts — in 2025, but also optimism about avoiding a recession.

The FDIC withdrew its amicus brief supporting Colorado's opt-out law on interest rate exportation, highlighting the agency's more fintech-friendly regulatory approach under acting Chair Travis Hill.

Scott Bessent, Donald Trump's pick to serve as Treasury Secretary, handled a policy-heavy confirmation hearing with poise, highlighting his preference for relaxed bank regulation, support of the 2017 Trump tax cuts and a hawkish approach to spending.

A cohort of bank industry interest groups called for the incoming Trump administration to pause all pending bank regulation and litigation and extend the timelines for implementing final rules issued by the Biden administration.

In a speech outlining his priorities for the FDIC, Vice Chair Travis Hill stressed the need for a more flexible regulatory approach, addressing capital requirements, digital assets, climate policy, and bank oversight, while emphasizing transparency and timely action.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council's annual report underscores mounting challenges in commercial real estate, escalating cyber threats, and regulatory gaps in third-party services and stablecoins, urging stronger oversight and legislative action.

Gruenberg, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s longest-serving board member, will step down in January, marking the end of an era after nearly 20 years on the agency's board of directors.

Experts anticipate that Trump's victory and expected shifts in regulatory leadership will delay finalizing Biden-era capital rules for large banks, with new officials likely favoring a less stringent Basel III framework and softer capital requirements.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Texas banking regulators issued consent orders against Industry State Bank, Fayetteville Bank and Citizens State Bank, requiring major overhauls of their management, capital and risk controls.

Tentative FDIC guidelines would impose stricter governance and risk management standards on banks exceeding $10 billion of assets, drawing concern over potential regulatory overreach and conflicts with state laws.

The Federal Reserve finalized its capital requirements for large banks Wednesday based on June's stress test outcomes.