The hottest Banking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

Quantitative Teasing

Concoda • 486 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The response to the latest banking panic was a stopgap, not a full-blown pivot.
  2. The Fed intervened with quantitative easing and other tools to stabilize the system.
  3. Markets can still find ways to challenge the Fed's attempts to control rates.

The Demise of Silicon Valley Bank

Net Interest • 496 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The demise of Silicon Valley Bank was caused by a collapse due to interest rate risk management and significant deposit outflows.
  2. Silicon Valley Bank's strategy of investing in securities was affected when rising interest rates led to significant unrealized losses, making the bank technically insolvent.
  3. The bank faced challenges in managing deposit outflows and was unable to satisfy demands due to a concentrated customer base and limited options like tapping into its securities portfolio.

How One Synapse/Evolve Victim Got His Money Back

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Some people affected by the Synapse bankruptcy have struggled to get their money back, leaving many feeling hopeless. The trustee in charge is working on figuring out how to reconcile the missing funds.
  2. One man was able to get his money back by filing a small claims case against Evolve Bank, showcasing that taking legal action can sometimes help consumers regain their lost funds.
  3. In contrast, his daughter faced challenges in court with her similar case, highlighting how results can vary even with similar circumstances. This shows that legal situations can be unpredictable.

The LIBOR scandal, part 2

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The concept of interest rates as a tradable financial instrument emerged in the 1980s, thanks to the development of interest rate swaps, marking a significant shift in the financial landscape.
  2. The manipulation of the LIBOR rate involved complex financial processes that led to criminal proceedings against several traders, highlighting ethical and legal dilemmas in the financial industry.
  3. The legal interpretation of the LIBOR Definition in the context of criminal law versus contractual interpretation raised debates around conflicts of interest, contractual obligations, and the application of criminal charges in financial settings.

Check Me If You Can

Money in Transit • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Banking
  1. Blockchain technology can be used for enforcing social contracts like promises of future payments.
  2. Payments are essentially promises of money exchange, conveyed in various ways, including through checks.
  3. The engineering mindset behind the development of checks engineered modern payment systems.
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CBW Fights FDIC's $20.5 Million Penalty That Could "Imperil" Its Existence

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. CBW is facing a huge $20.5 million fine from the FDIC, which could put its future at risk. This penalty is due to failures in its anti-money laundering practices.
  2. A small Kansas bank, CBW, has made a lot of money from international services but hasn't fixed issues raised by regulators in past reviews. They were supposed to improve but didn't make significant changes.
  3. The FDIC argues that the situation with CBW highlights serious compliance problems in the banking sector. They are trying to enforce rules to prevent money laundering, especially in high-risk areas.

News You Need To Know Before Money2020: Goldman & Apple Hit With CFPB Enforcement Actions

Fintech Business Weekly • 104 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Goldman Sachs and Apple have to pay nearly $90 million due to issues with how they handled customer complaints about the Apple Card. They didn't follow the rules about resolving billing errors and misleading customers about financing options.
  2. The final open banking rule is now in place, but it faces a legal challenge from big banks who argue it could increase fraud and harm consumer data safety. This rule aims to give consumers more control over their financial data.
  3. SoLo Funds, a peer-to-peer lending service, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly misleading customers about loan costs. The company has been criticized for operating without the necessary licenses and using confusing practices.

An update on my brush with debanking

Unreported Truths • 25 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Banking
  1. Financial intermediaries, like banks and credit card companies, have a lot of power over transactions. Even a single decision can impact small businesses dramatically.
  2. American Express flagged a subscription service as fraud without notifying the owner, causing confusion and frustration for customers.
  3. Access to the financial system is crucial for businesses, and there's a concern about discrimination based on political views affecting this access.

What IS OCEN? What would it look like?

Turnaround • 494 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
💼 Business Banking
  1. OCEN is a new credit infrastructure that could revolutionize lending in a way similar to how UPI transformed payments.
  2. It is a protocol, not a switch, and its potential lies in the consumer products that can be built on top of it.
  3. OCEN aims to address India's credit distribution problems by making access to credit easier for the Next Billion Users and SMEs, potentially reducing the concentration of capital.

What if there's no U.S. recession?

Jon’s Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Bank of America has changed its prediction and now believes the U.S. might not face a recession. This change happened after positive statements from the Federal Reserve about the economy.
  2. Despite rising interest rates, the economy has been doing well with job growth and spending in new areas like AI and renewable energy.
  3. Historically, when there wasn't a recession after rate hikes, the stock market usually performed better, suggesting a positive outlook for investors.

Middleware Platform Solid To Wind Down, Lewis & Clark To Exit BaaS

Fintech Business Weekly • 66 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Banking
  1. Evolve Bank & Trust has faced serious legal issues, including accusations of illegal discrimination and failing to meet fiduciary responsibilities. This has raised concerns about their trustworthiness.
  2. The middleware platform Solid is shutting down, and its bank partner, Lewis & Clark, is also exiting its banking-as-a-service business. This indicates a tough environment for fintech companies.
  3. Wise has reached a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for advertising inaccuracies and failing to disclose fees properly. This highlights ongoing scrutiny in the fintech sector regarding consumer protection.

What Can We Learn From Banking Policy In Trump’s First Term?

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Banking regulations during Trump's first term favored a more business-friendly and less restrictive approach, making it easier for financial innovations to flourish.
  2. Several key appointments in his administration were focused on encouraging small-dollar loans and improving access to credit for underprivileged communities.
  3. There are concerns about the transparency and accountability of banks, especially regarding how they handle customer funds during crises like bankruptcies.

Money Market Update

Concoda • 199 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The Treasury and Federal Reserve are causing slight risks for the market
  2. There is a decrease in bills issued, which could have an impact on the RRP decline
  3. Upcoming topics will cover the future of the repo market and the Fed's discount window

The Smallest Bank in Tennessee Grew Fast With BaaS. Why It May Give The Entire Industry A Hangover.

Fintech Business Weekly • 267 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The smallest bank in Tennessee saw significant growth by leveraging BaaS partnerships, but this rapid expansion may raise concerns about the bank's ability to manage increased complexity.
  2. The Herrington family behind Lineage Bank has a history of running banks, facing challenges and controversies in their previous ventures.
  3. Synapse, a key BaaS partner of Lineage Bank, has faced regulatory scrutiny and may be pressuring Lineage to approve more programs, highlighting risks in complex financial partnerships.

Fundamentals: compound interest explained

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 119 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Compound interest lets you earn interest on both your original savings and the interest you've already earned. It's like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls down a hill.
  2. The longer you keep money in a compound interest account, the more you'll earn. This means that starting early can lead to much bigger savings over time.
  3. You can find compound interest rates from banks, credit unions, or online calculators. Knowing these rates can help you make better decisions about saving and investing.

Q4 NY Fed Report: Mortgage Originations by Credit Score, Delinquencies Increase, Foreclosures Remain Low

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 57 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Mortgage originations are showing different credit scores now compared to the bubble years from 2003 to 2006. This means people with lower credit scores are getting mortgages now.
  2. Delinquencies on mortgages are increasing, which means more people are having trouble making their payments on time.
  3. Foreclosures are still low, which is good news as it suggests that despite the rising delinquencies, people are not losing their homes at a high rate.

Varo Struggles On As Founder Colin Walsh Steps Down As CEO

Fintech Business Weekly • 52 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Varo Bank is facing challenges as its founder and CEO Colin Walsh steps down. New CEO Gavin Michael has a tough job ahead with the company still not profitable.
  2. Despite some improvements in revenue and customer growth, Varo's net losses remain significant, with $65 million lost last year. It needs to boost its deposits and customer engagement.
  3. The financial regulatory landscape is changing with new appointments, including Jonathan McKernan resigning from the FDIC and being nominated to lead the CFPB. This could impact how financial services are managed going forward.

"Anonymous" Crypto Debit Card Startup Sues BaaS Platform, Ex-Evolve Partner Solid

Fintech Business Weekly • 66 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Fraud and scams are becoming bigger issues for businesses compared to individuals. Companies need better tools to protect themselves from these threats.
  2. Many fintech companies are raising significant funding, which shows growth in the industry. Some are also getting ready for potential IPOs in the coming years.
  3. There's a legal battle between a crypto debit card company and its banking partner. It highlights the risks and challenges in the fintech sector, especially in compliance and service delivery.

Was Fintech's Biggest Lending "Innovation" A Willingness To Serve Riskier Borrowers By Charging Higher Rates?

Fintech Business Weekly • 237 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Fintech lenders rely heavily on conventional credit scores like FICO and possibly overcharge riskier borrowers.
  2. Fintech's main 'innovation' is serving borrowers banks reject by charging higher interest rates.
  3. Goldman Sachs is looking to offload its Apple partnership, showcasing the shifting landscape of fintech engagements.

Peacetime Bank Stress Tests: Who's That For?

Without Warning • 39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The purpose of stress tests for banks in peacetime is not necessarily to predict future crises, but to ensure banks have enough capital and that the tests are tough and variable.
  2. It's important for stress test scenarios to change and remain tough to prevent banks from manipulating their capital levels and misrepresenting their financial health.
  3. The public stress test process during peacetime may not have a significant impact on capital allocation to the banking sector, unlike crisis-time stress tests.

Your Value Proposition Is Finally Here

Athena Scale • 39 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Traditional banks are losing trust, leading to a need for decentralized blockchain solutions.
  2. Banks have historically controlled money and systematically placed risk on depositors.
  3. The future lies in blockchain banks with transparency and user-controlled funds.

It's Getting Harder to Get a Loan

The Sunday Morning Post • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Banks are making it harder to get a loan due to higher interest rates and tightened lending standards across all loan categories.
  2. Rising deposit costs are influencing banks to be more selective in lending, preferring customers with deposits in their institution.
  3. Banks are tightening lending standards to protect themselves, leading to fewer loans offered and increased charges, covenants, collateral requirements, and reduced loan sizes.

SVB and bank capital, revisited

Without Warning • 39 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Financial crises are often triggered by events in ad hoc filings like 8Ks, not the usual 10Ks.
  2. Analysis should consider how markets assess crises in real-time, not just post-facto Excel analysis.
  3. The 2023 bank crisis started when Silicon Valley Bank suggested its business was less viable in an 8K filing.

WTHIH? The Suisse Version

Philoinvestor • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Credit Suisse facing financial problems and potential nationalization
  2. Debates on whether the Fed and ECB should cut rates due to banking issues
  3. Central banks likely to continue hiking rates for market confidence

Next Domino: Aozora Bank

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Banks are not disclosing information about bad US real estate loans to customers and shareholders.
  2. US debt collapse may affect countries like Japan, Canada, and UK.
  3. CIA conducting an economics experiment in Argentina to prepare for a US economic collapse.

"Troubled" Axiom Bank Retaliated Against AML Whisteblowers, Ex-Staffers Say

Fintech Business Weekly • 66 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Axiom Bank faced serious allegations of retaliation against former employees who raised concerns about compliance and risk management issues. The complaints suggest that the bank ignored safety regulations and retaliated against those who spoke up.
  2. TomoCredit, facing financial struggles, defaulted on its debts and is being sued for not paying vendors. The company also has legal challenges over misleading practices related to its credit-building products.
  3. Both Axiom Bank and TomoCredit reveal challenges in the fintech sector related to compliance, financial stability, and ethical practices. These cases highlight the risks involved in the rapidly changing financial technology landscape.

Erb and Harvey are at it again

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Gold has had a huge rally, rising more than 50% in about ten months and breaching record highs around $4,000/oz, which has reignited investor enthusiasm and big price forecasts.
  2. Academic analysis says gold has not been a reliable inflation hedge over typical investment horizons and that high current prices tend to predict poor future real returns, so lofty prices imply limited expected gains.
  3. The rise of gold ETFs created a steady, structural demand that lifted prices, and the only realistic way to trigger much more demand would be a regulatory change letting commercial banks hold gold as reserves — something that looks unlikely.

Fed Ignored Thousands of Desperate Synapse Victims, Continues to Stonewall Doc Requests

Fintech Business Weekly • 22 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The Federal Reserve ignored many complaints from victims of the Synapse situation and is not providing the documents that people need. This has left many feeling frustrated and helpless.
  2. Despite the overwhelming complaints and public interest, regulatory bodies like the Federal Reserve have not taken meaningful actions to help those affected by these financial issues. This raises concerns about accountability within these institutions.
  3. Banking regulators are still promoting partnerships between banks and fintechs, even after major failures. This points to a focus on growth rather than addressing the risks these partnerships might bring.

MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Increased Slightly in Q4 2024

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Mortgage delinquencies slightly increased to 3.98% in Q4 2024 compared to the previous quarter. This means more people are missing their mortgage payments.
  2. FHA and VA loans are seeing a bigger rise in delinquency rates compared to conventional loans. This is concerning, especially as the gaps in these rates are growing.
  3. States like Florida and South Carolina had the largest increases in delinquency rates. Natural disasters, like hurricanes, may be partly to blame for this rise.

MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Decreased Slightly in Q2 2025

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Mortgage delinquency rates have slightly decreased in Q2 2025, reaching 3.93%, which is below the historic average.
  2. Although overall delinquencies are down, serious delinquencies for loans 90 days or more past due have increased.
  3. The labor market shows some weakness and could lead to future increases in mortgage delinquencies, even though current rates remain low.

Lou Jiwei on China's banking, PE/VC, IPOs, and Big Tech's role in lending

Pekingnology • 49 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Finance should support high-quality development by improving access to loans for private companies. This includes reducing risks for banks and treating all companies equally, whether state-owned or private.
  2. Government-backed venture capital funds need to focus more on market-driven models. This will help them foster innovation while allowing for some tolerance of failure among startups.
  3. It's important for internet platforms to share the risk in lending to small businesses. By co-lending a portion of the loans, they can help prevent systemic risks in the financial system.

Fed Stonewalls Synapse FOIA Request

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💰 Finance Banking
  1. The Cash App recently settled legal issues, which included fines for not properly handling anti-money laundering rules. They also agreed to improve their security and support for users.
  2. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a report on 'buy now, pay later' services, revealing that many loans are small but often lead users to take out multiple loans at once.
  3. There are ongoing concerns about transparency from banking regulators, especially regarding their responses to Freedom of Information Act requests, indicating a gap between what they promise and what they deliver.

Regulators Should Conduct "Material Loss Review" Of Synapse Disaster

Fintech Business Weekly • 52 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Regulators should look into the Synapse disaster to understand what went wrong. This could help prevent similar issues in the future.
  2. There is a significant amount of lost funds that still needs to be clarified, impacting many users. Authorities need to take responsibility and provide transparency.
  3. The emotional toll on the people affected is serious, as highlighted by the Synapse trustee's feelings during court. Many end users are suffering and need answers.

VyStar Invested $20M Into “Dysfunctional” Nymbus; “Botched” Transition Led To Consent Order, $1.5M Penalty

Fintech Business Weekly • 59 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Banking
  1. VyStar Credit Union faced major issues after investing $20 million in Nymbus due to a failed transition to a new online banking platform.
  2. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered VyStar to pay a $1.5 million penalty for unfair practices during the transition process, which left customers unable to access their accounts.
  3. Nymbus is currently involved in multiple legal disputes with clients, claiming it failed to deliver promised services and is now reportedly trying to extort money from a former customer.

China's Evergrande Mess

Diane Francis • 219 implied HN points • 18 Oct 21
💰 Finance Banking
  1. China is facing a big problem with its real estate market because of a crisis involving a company called Evergrande. This company has huge debts of $300 billion.
  2. This situation shows how tough it can be for big countries like China to handle major financial issues. They often manage to turn things around, but this crisis is particularly challenging.
  3. The Evergrande crisis could have serious effects not only for China but also for the global economy if it's not handled well. It's important to keep an eye on how this develops.

Future of Goldman's "Platform Solutions" Looks Grim

Fintech Business Weekly • 170 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💰 Finance Banking
  1. Eco shut down its banking app and laid off its team as it focuses on new money initiatives with cryptocurrency.
  2. Goldman Sachs is near selling GreenSky, indicating a bleak future for its "Platform Solutions" division.
  3. CFPB warns that lenders using AI must provide specific reasons for adverse actions and initiates rulemaking to remove medical debt from credit reports.