Banking and Financial Institutions

• Fed Changes Course and Takes On Trump’s Political Fight - The Justice Department’s decision to open up a criminal investigation of Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, is a major escalation in the pressure campaign against the central bank to cut interest rates.
• Fed Keeps Close Eye on Labor Market as It Assesses Further Cuts - For the central bank to lower interest rates again, officials will likely need to see more notable signs that unemployment is rising.
• Chasing an Economic Boom, White House Dismisses Risks of A.I. - The administration has downplayed concerns — from mass job losses, to a potential financial bubble — as President Trump cheers soaring stock prices and faster growth.
• Rotating Cast of Wall Street Figures Were Listed as Executors of Epstein’s Will - Copies of Jeffrey Epstein’s last will and testament show that the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier provide a real-time glimpse of the power players who were part of his life.
• The Economy Survived 2025, But Many Americans Are Reeling - A feared recession didn’t materialize, but unemployment rose, wage growth slowed and affordability challenges are mounting.
• Bank of Japan Raises Interest Rates to Highest Level in 30 Years - The Bank of Japan moved to slow inflation as the prime minister is borrowing more to fund an ambitious effort to build up industry and support households.
• Jobs Report Could Provide Overdue Clarity on Uncertain Economy - Employers added 64,000 jobs in November, according to data delayed by the government shutdown, but the unemployment rate rose to a four-year high of 4.6 percent.
• Jobs Report Could Provide Overdue Clarity on Uncertain Economy - Hiring and unemployment data for November will offer a snapshot of a cooling job market buffeted by President Trump’s policies.
• Russia Sues Holder of Frozen Assets Europe Wants for Ukraine Loan - The lawsuit was a warning to European officials who are racing to agree to a plan to use Russian government assets in Europe to lend money to Ukraine.
• Bessent Accelerates Regulation Overhaul to Jumpstart Growth - The Treasury Secretary unveiled changes to the Financial Stability Oversight Council to ease “overregulation.”