Foreign assets held by Canadian banks overview document  

fsim.ca/docs/Foreign assets held by Canadian banks overview document (2).pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Canadian banks, apart from the Big 5, have generally avoided foreign diversification. All of the Big 5 have a significant foreign presence, however, RBC’s massive diversifactation ($1.86T foreign assets, 37% revenue) eclipses its rivals. Whereas, National Bank has also proven highly competitive, despite its domestic focus.

Methodology

This document looks at 4 categories of Canadian banks via charts. The charts are derived from OSFI data which provides details with respect to foreign operations held by Canada’s domestic banks. I have categorized them as Small/Medium, Mid-Tier, Large and Big 5.

Part 2: The Merchant Loyalty Industrial Complex Collapse  

fsim.ca/docs/Credit_cards_Part_2v4.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Since November 2, 2021, Loyalty Ventures Inc.'s (Airmiles) market cap has decreased from $861.42M to $2.11M, a decrease of -99.75%. This compares closely to 2018, when Aimia sold Aeroplan back to Air Canada and partners TD and CIBC for $238 million. For reference, in 2005 Aeroplan launched an IPO valuing it at $2 billion. Related to Aimia’s downfall, it had also previously sold the UK Nectar program to Sainsburys for $120 million, $580 million lower than it paid for Nectar in 2007.

This report digs under the surface and uncovers why loyalty is going the way of the dodo.

Merchants should not waste time fighting card networks  

fsim.ca/docs/Card_fees_ongoing.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This is part one of a two part assessment of merchant frustration due to high credit card fees. The second part of this report will outline an alternative approach that merchants can consider. An approach that is a win for them and also for the card networks.

The full story of SVB March 12th, 2023  

fsim.ca/docs/SVB_special_report2.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Aggregated news and research related to SVB. Apart from SVB, included in this report is related news with respect to other banks and non-traditional companies looking to add financial services that also appear risky.

March 2023 bank earnings summary  

fsim.ca/docs/bankearningsfriday.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report provides a snapshot into recent bank earnings and related news as published in fsim.ca reports.

Real estate report: October 30th, 2020  

fsim.ca/docs/Oct30rereportv1.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

The big buzz in real estate recently is Mark Carney being scooped up by Brookfield. This means more juice for riskier borrowers. Brookfield, a huge player in real estate, both residential and commercial, recently bought its remaining shares from Sagen (Genworth MI Canada), which values the company at $3.8 bn.

VersaBank’s New High-Security VPN Proving Especially Valuable During COVID-19 Pandemic  

fsim.ca/docs/TailscaleReleaseMarch30FINAL.pdf

Press Release

2014 FSIM when Bernanke visited Montreal  

fsim.ca/docs/MockBernanke.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Considering Bernanke is hated by the Republicans and hated even more by the Democrats, and is currently under scrutiny for saving AIG but not Lehman, (in hindsight) with respect to issues over solvency vs liquidity, the Montreal lovefest attended by 1,100 people yesterday must have been a welcome respite. Click the link to read the entire 2014 report.

Eisman's big Canadian bank short  

fsim.ca/docs/eisman2.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

I have been reporting on Steve Eisman's short position for quite some time.  As the analyst reaction to Eisman shows (link below), Eisman has taken a lot of heat for shorting Canadian banks. Instead of capitulating, in September 2019 he publicly disclosed the fact that he added Canadian Tire to his position, He explains the rationale for this in a BNN interview late 2019. Essentially, his big concern with respect to banks was non-performing loans in Alberta. He feels Canadian bank CEOs are not prepared for a credit cycle. He specifically referenced ATB (a private bank) in discussing his concerns. Looking at the numbers today, my guess is that he has made off like a bandit.

VersaBank Beta-Testing Its New, High Volume Mortgage Finance App   

fsim.ca/docs/VBCortelMortFinanceAppFeb62020.pdf

Press Release

VersaBank announces it is initiating beta-testing on its newly developed high-volume mortgage software app with the Cortel Group, one of Canada’s largest home and condominium builders. The app, named “Direct Connect”, was designed to facilitate and significantly reduce the lengthy finance approval process typically experienced by home buyers when visiting home and condo pre-construction sales offices.

How and why you need to defend your brand against disruptors  

Mark Sibthorpe

Technology, and being open to opportunities, has preempted transformation in banking. At the top of change are Mint, PayPal and ApplePay; three examples of transformative solutions that are now ubiquitous. On the horizon: Uber and Google, both having recently announced partner based banking services. Further down in the plumbing is Duca Impact Labs, Versabank, and Revolut. This report shows how cost conscious FIs can, not only stay relevant in the face of adversity, but punch well above their weight. All thanks to creative thinking and the ongoing commoditization of technology.

Kick the can(nomics)  

fsim.ca/docs/Kick.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Canada has used consumer debt to provide life support to the economy. This strategy which basically pushed the day of reckoning to the next government was old back in 2014, and now is well past its sell-by-date. Recognizing this, and desperate to keep the economy out of a recession, Trudeau is spending more money now than any government in Canadian history. This report disusses a possible alternative.

ScoreCard Bill Morneau, Canada's Minister of Finance  

fsim.ca/docs/ScoreCardMorneau.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report is a scorecard I designed in order to rank the performance of the current Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau. I do regular rankings because, otherwise, I cannot measure the performance in a meaningful way. The scoring is based on a variety of metrics as detailed on the ‘score-table’ on page 3. Examples of the criteria and weighting include:

Observations and overview of 2018 NB flood support from government and insurance companies.  

fsim.ca/docs/Observations and overview of 2018 NB flood support from government and insurance companies..pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Flood aftermath is linked to post traumatic stress. Here are some findings from a study conducted by Queensland University following a flood:

"The findings showed that aftermath stress contributed to poor mental health outcomes over and above the flood itself, prior mental health issues and demographic factors," Ms Dixon said.

"Aftermath stress was the strongest predictor of post-traumatic stress symptoms with 75 per cent of people saying the most difficult aspect was the aftermath and dealing with insurance companies," she said.

With this in mind, I felt it was important to understand how New Brunswick flood victims were treated.

Update Argentina: a sign of the times  

fsim.ca/docs/Update Argentina_ a sign of the times.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Argentina is in the news daily because the situation is dire, and may be an indication of further contagion. The most dramatic story that speaks of the a leading cause of its troubles was the recent arrest of the public works secretary, Jose Lopez. June 15th he was caught hiding millions in cash in a monastery. No this is not a plot for a comedy.

Summary of Canada's flood news, 2017 to present  

fsim.ca/docs/Summary-of-flood-news-2017-present.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report covers flood news in Canada from 2017 to present and highlights the relevent issues for home-owners and the insurance industry.

Banking on Pot  

fsim.ca/docs/c10191_banking-on-pot.pdf

SBS

As states across the US legalize marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes, it has fueled a growing industry of marijuana related businesses (MRBs).

Canadian banking industry overview  

Mark Sibthorpe

The industry overview is divided into 5 parts:

Introduction
Small banks
Small medium sized banks
Medium sized banks
Medium large banks

2014 Mobile payments the Apple pay way  

fsim.ca/docs/Mobile_Payments_Apple_Pay_2014.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

With Walmart Pay about to userp Apple Pay, I thought I would share my 2014 book on mobile payments and loyalty. The guilde was written for Merchants that want to understand loyalty, credit, mobile payments and Apple Pay, but anyone involved with credit and loyalty might find it useful.
The book is a prelude to Walmart leaving MCX, and chronicles the evolution that led to Walmart Pay. There is an extensive case study of Walmart that looks into its efforts to become an ILC and to avoid paying credit card transaction fees ('merchant discount').
It offers readers a step-by-step methodology for evaluating and transforming credit and loyalty programs. The strategies are based on proven examples and industry facts. The Nectar, Target, Canadian Tire and Walmart case studies are examples of the practical approach I have taken, written with the intent that merchants can use them as blueprints for their own initiatives. 

Death to bitcoin, long live the blockchain  

Mark Sibthorpe

Jamie Dimon calls bitcoin a fraud used by criminals, yet he has jumped into the blockchain with both feet.

TD bank industry conduct  

fsim.ca/docs/tdind2.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

TD’s share price recently collapsed by $7 bn in one day due to CBC’s allegations of aggressive selling tactics. A huge fall from a bank that was trading at a premium as recently as January. This was even before the most recent allegation of TD attempting to avoid paying taxes on advertising.
This report chronicles the events leading up to the collapse, shows TD's performance, analyses other related issues.

Book review: Back from the Brink  

fsim.ca/docs/backbrink.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This is a book review of the book Back from the Brink by Paul Halpern, Caroline Cakebread, Christopher C. Nicholls and Poonam Puri.

Footnote 151  

fsim.ca/docs/footnote151.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Footnote 151 implies an important regulatory change related to derivative contracts. It means that US Banks will not be required to hold as much capital against commodities. If you want to understand the implications of this regulatory change in more detail, see the enclosed related article detailing the changes. For contextual purposes, I have also included two Rolling Stones Magazines reports from 2010 and 2014 that chronicle the role large US banks have played in manipulating commodities. You might question the credibility of these sources, but rest assured, these reports are based on United States Senate hearings which outline the issues in a 396 page report related to the implied risks. 

Save the Canadian economy now  

fsim.ca/docs/helecopter-money.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Consumer debt spending appears to have insulated Canada from the worst of the credit crisis, but now the alarming magnitude of consumer debt ($1.92-trillion) could exacerbate a day of reckoning.
This report assesses the issues at hand and recommends the solution to get Canada's economy on track.

Reasons financial service companies should consider gamification  

fsim.ca/docs/GamingEventProposal-printsample--en-final.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Gamification of business processes resulted on Mint.com growing to 10 million users within 4 years. This report explains how.

National Bank Special Report  

fsim.ca/docs/NatBSpec.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

According to Bloomberg, National Bank of Canada will take a C$64 million ($48 million) restructuring charge in the fourth quarter and said its investment in Maple Financial Group Inc., which is being probed by German regulators, may be at risk of a “substantial loss.”

Will Canadian banks charge companies for deposits?  

fsim.ca/docs/depgrowthimpact2.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

In light of today’s possible rate cut, this report discusses how a bank rate cut and capital ratio pressure could precipitate negative corporate deposit interest rates in Canada.

Canadian Tire's (CTC) - Canadian Tire Financial Services (CTFS) Scotia deal overview and risk assess  

fsim.ca/docs/ctfsfinal.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Review of the Canadian Tire Financial Services deal with Scotiabank, risks, opportunity and benefits.

Finance minisiter scorecard August 26, 2015  

fsim.ca/docs/Scorejo-August-2015.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report looks at Joe Oliver, minister of finance’s progress to date, and assigns a grade to his government’s performance to date.

Xtreme Branch  

fsim.ca/docs/xbranch.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Branches are evolving to meet the digital age. This documents tracks the evolution with real-world examples.

Canadian Nudge  

fsim.ca/docs/nudge.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

CWB cause for concern  

fsim.ca/docs/cwbupdate.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

BNTV Overview  

fsim.ca/docs/overviewpdf.pdf

BNTV

BankNews.TV Publishing Corp services overview document:

• Analytics
• Financial services industry monitor (FSIM) industry briefings and developments reports
• Research

Challenger banks not a threat to big banks  

fsim.ca/docs/challenger.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report looks at Canadian challenger banks (apart from merchant led banks) and explains why they have not threatened larger institutions. It also looks at ways in which these upstarts have achieved success.

Gamification of financial data project  

fsim.ca/docs/GamingEventProposal-printsample--en-final_original.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This document contains details on how BankNews.TV is helping kids learn programming via gamification of financial data.

The impact a rate rise will have for Canadian banks  

fsim.ca/docs/irr-f.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Canadian banks have made money throughout the credit crisis, but this trend may be about to reverse. The rational supporting this prediction is that revenue has grown despite a declining net interest margin (NIM). It has grown in spite of this fact because Canadian debt (loan lease volume) has risen significantly, as shown in chart 2.

FIFA: the new goldenballs  

fsim.ca/docs/goldenballs.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Yesterday, the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) opened criminal proceedings related to the FIFA scandal. This report outlines some of the events related to the criminal investigation, with a particular focus on banking.

Scorecard Minister of Finance: JIm Flaherty  

fsim.ca/docs/Scorecard Min Fin Flaherty April 8 2014.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

March 18, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty resigned from cabinet after having endured a difficult year due to health issues. This report looks at his legacy and attempts to grade his government’s performance to date.

Sample RFP for a Loyalty Program  

fsim.ca/docs/sample RFP for a loyalty program.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Merchants extend financial services  

fsim.ca/docs/merchantfs.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Merchant led financial services are growing in importance once again. This is exemplified in the ongoing UK rivalry between ASDA, Sainsbury and Tesco. Together these merchant/financial service companies provide the backstop for three different approaches for merchants looking to extend their financial services.

Hot Money: real-estate  

fsim.ca/docs/hotmoney.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Currency Cheat Sheet: a guide for the rest of us  

fsim.ca/docs/currencycheatsheet.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Riches to Rags? Summary of possible risks for Genworth MI CANADA, INC.  

fsim.ca/docs/gq4risk.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Genworth had its Q4 2014 earnings call. Genworth own about 30% of the mortgage default insurance in Canada. Not surprisingly, the earnings call became focussed on Alberta; and for good reason, with 20% of its outstanding insured mortgage balance in Alberta, sensitivity to the oil shock and how Genworth plan to manage related risks were discussed in detail.

Canadian Western Bank Competitive Forecast  

fsim.ca/docs/cwbf.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Based on historical financial data (see detailed charts pages 5-8), the oil based recession in Alberta, and comparison against two of its peers, this document outlines my observation with respect to CWB’s future performances.

Liquid Canada: the tipping point  

fsim.ca/docs/Liquid.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

This report examines liquidity issues in the Canadian financial service industry.

Bank Fees  

fsim.ca/docs/Bank fees.pdf

Mark Sibthorpe

Recently the CBC and The Globe and Mail both reported on what has been referred to as a consumer “bank fee outcry”. CBC compares banks to cable and phone companies, standing accused of trying to gouge customers with service fees. The backlash appears to have originated in conjunction with the NDP and the Consumers Council of Canada which argues that there is anxiety ‘among consumers about banking fees’.

Cheap Oil Report  

fsim.ca/docs/co2.pdf

Canada's Economy, a strategic solution  

fsim.ca/docs/ces.pdf

Mobile Payments Blueprint: guide to credit and loyalty transformation for merchants  

fsim.ca/docs/booksample.pdf

Guide to system selection  

fsim.ca/docs/gssnow.pdf

Read sample report: Guide to system selection. This sample would normally cost $99 but is available free as a sample. Click here view sample report.

SCOTIABANK SAYS TECHNICAL GLITCH THAT DISRUPTED DIRECT DEPOSIT, CHEQUE PAYMENTS HAS BEEN RESOLVED

G&M (2026-01-28)

“We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience the earlier technical issue has had on our clients, and sincerely appreciate their patience as we worked through this,” Ms.

THREE REAL ESTATE MARKETS THAT ARE BUCKING NATIONAL TRENDS

G&M - SALMAAN FAROOQUI (2026-01-19)

Canada's housing market is fragmented, with the national home price index dropping 1 percent in December, but three regions showing distinctly different trends.

GOLD FALLS AS TRUMP HESITATES ON HASSETT AS FED CHAIR PICK

Yahoo Finance - Yvonne Yue Li (2026-01-19)

Trump on Friday said if Hassett were to leave his post as director of the National Economic Council, it would deprive the administration of one of its most powerful messengers on the economy.

BITCOIN FALLS BELOW $92,000 AS TARIFF FEARS WEIGH ON RISK ASSETS

Yahoo Finance - Suvashree Ghosh (2026-01-19)

Bitcoin slid as much as 3.6%

EU WEAPONIZING US ASSETS A RISK, DEUTSCHE BANK’S SARAVELOS SAYS

Yahoo Finance - Simon Kennedy (2026-01-19)

Trump’s new tariffs on European countries over Greenland could also be a catalyst for greater European political cohesion, also suggesting that any negative fallout on the euro against the dollar this week may be short-lived, Saravelos said.

CHINA PLANTS ANOTHER AFRICA MARKER IN CAMPAIGN TO GLOBALIZE YUAN

Bloomberg (2026-01-19)

Zambia is the first African country to let Chinese mining companies pay taxes in yuan.

WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS EXECUTIVE ACTION TO CAP CREDIT CARD RATES

Bloomberg - Katanga Johnson, Paige Smith, J.J. McCorvey, and Lydia Beyoud (2026-01-19)

The White House is weighing an executive action to enact President Donald Trump’s call for a cap on credit card interest rates, in addition to other measures seeking to ease US affordability challenges. The

U.S. BANK LOANS ARE WINNING THE SEARCH FOR YIELD

Investment Executive (2026-01-19)

Bank loans possess unique structural characteristics that alter their behaviour in a rising or volatile rate environment.

ARE MEGABANKS NEXT IN TRUMP’S CRACKDOWN ON STOCK BUYBACKS?

WSJ - Jonathan Weil (2026-01-19)

Blanket government suspensions of share buybacks have typically been reserved for extreme scenarios, such as the 2020 pandemic when the Federal Reserve required major banks to halt repurchases to preserve their capital cushions.

DOES GOOGLE’S AGENTIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WALMART SIGNAL THE END OF CLICK-AND-BUY RETAIL?

Pymnts (2026-01-19)

The goal of the partnership and launch is to eliminate the friction between want and buy by allowing shoppers to browse, personalize, and complete purchases directly through conversational AI.

CHRIS HOHN BEATS HEDGE FUND RIVALS WITH RECORD-BREAKING $19BN PROFIT

FT (2026-01-19)

Sir Christopher Hohn's hedge fund TCI generated $18.9

WALL STREET BANKS' FOURTH-QUARTER EARNINGS IN FIVE CHARTS

Reuters - Manya Saini (2026-01-19)

Wall Street's largest banks finished 2025 strongly with optimistic outlooks for 2026, though Trump's proposed 10 percent cap on credit card interest rates has created uncertainty.

CHINA'S DIGITAL YUAN TO BECOME INTEREST-BEARING NEXT YEAR, STATE BROADCASTER SAYS

Reuters (2026-01-19)

Holdings of China's digital yuan, or e-CNY, will start generating interest income next year under a new framework, state broadcaster CCTV said on Monday, as China steps up efforts to promote the use of its central bank digital currency.

POPULISM THREATENS THE WORK OF INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES, BANK OF ENGLAND BOSS SAYS

Yahoo Finance - Anna Wise (2026-01-19)

The governor of the Bank of England has said international institutions need to challenge populism, after he joined global central bank leaders in backing the US Federal Reserve against threats to its independence.

CRACKS BEGIN TO APPEAR AT THE BIGGEST U.S. BANKS

G&M (2026-01-16)

Major U.S.

DIMON SAYS ‘ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO CHANCE’ ON FED CHAIR JOB

Bloomberg - Hannah Levitt (2026-01-16)

In the Wall Street-to-Washington corridor, the prospect of Jamie Dimon for Treasury secretary, or even for president, has come up repeatedly over the years. The

MORTGAGES AT 6% POSE CRITICAL TEST FOR FROZEN HOUSING MARKET

Bloomberg (2026-01-16)

With the crucial spring homebuying season ahead, real estate agents finally have something fresh to sell: the lowest mortgage rates in three years. The

NEW CREDIT CARD RULES BY DONALD TRUMP REVEAL A PUSH FOR AFFORDABILITY

Bloomberg - Charlie Wells and Paige Smith (2026-01-16)

In the past few days, US President Donald Trump has grown fixated on consumer finance. First,

WALL STREET BANKS PAY OUT RECORD TOTAL IN DIVIDENDS AND BUYBACKS

Bloomberg (2026-01-16)

Wall Street banks handed back a record amount of capital to shareholders as surging profit and relaxing capital rules gave executives the confidence to ramp up stock buybacks. The

CANADIAN REAL ESTATE LOSSES GROW AS CORRECTION ENTERS SECOND LEG

Better Dwelling (2026-01-16)

It also marked the 4th largest drop for the month in the past 20 years, behind 2008, 2022, and 2023.

THE SCARIEST PROMPT IS AN AI BUBBLE POPPING

Investment Executive - James Langton (2026-01-16)

If there is a bubble in AI investment, and that bubble bursts, the fallout would spread far beyond the tech sector, to financials and the broader economy, says Moody’s Ratings.

BANK OF CANADA’S NEXT HIKE NOT UNTIL MID-2027: CIBC

Investment Executive - James Langton (2026-01-16)

Against that backdrop, the report said the BoC likely won’t need to tighten rates until mid-2027, rather than by the end of this year.

WALL STREET POWERS NATION’S BIGGEST BANKS TO RECORD YEAR

WSJ - ANNAMARIA ANDRIOTIS (2026-01-16)

Wall Street's largest banks delivered a blockbuster 2025, capping off a year of exceptional financial performance.

DATA BREACH LAST SUMMER AFFECTED 750,000 INVESTORS, SECURITIES REGULATOR SAYS

G&M - Clare O'Hara (2026-01-15)

Canada's investment regulator, CIRO, has disclosed that a data breach from August 2024 was far more extensive than initially reported, affecting 750,000 investors' personal information.

WHY NEARLY HALF OF HOMEBUYERS STILL USE MORTGAGE BROKERS

G&M - Hanif Bayat (2026-01-15)

Mortgage brokers remain a significant force in Canada's mortgage market despite predictions of their decline, with 45 percent of recent homebuyers using one according to a 2025 survey.

NATIONAL BANK OPENS DUBAI OFFICE AS CANADA AIMS TO EXPAND TRADE TIES WITH UAE

G&M - Stefanie Marotta (2026-01-15)

National Bank of Canada has opened its first office in Dubai as part of broader Canadian efforts to strengthen trade ties with the United Arab Emirates amid shifting global trade dynamics under the Trump administration. The

QUEBEC PREMIER FRANçOIS LEGAULT TO RESIGN, WON'T LEAD HIS PARTY INTO FALL ELECTION

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-15)

"For the good of my party and especially for the good of Quebec, I am announcing today that I will leave my position as Quebec premier."

NATIONAL HOME SALES FELL NEARLY 2% IN 2025 AFTER TRADE WAR FUELLED UNCERTAINTY: CREA

(2026-01-15)

The national average sale price of a home in December was $673,335, which was just 0.1

BLACKROCK TOTAL ASSETS HIT RECORD $14 TRILLION AS ETFS SURGE

Bloomberg - Sillar Brush (2026-01-15)

BlackRock Inc.

CHINA'S TRADE SURPLUS SURGES 20% TO A RECORD $1.2 TRILLION, EVEN WITH TRUMP'S TARIFFS

NPR (2026-01-15)

China's exports rose 5.5%

FAIRSTONE TO KEEP LAURENTIAN’S COMMERCIAL BANKING EMPLOYEES ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR

Investment Executive - Jonathan Got (2026-01-15)

Laurentian’s circular said Fairstone will provide commercial operations employees with base salary, annual bonus opportunities, retirement savings arrangements and benefits for at least one year.

JAMIE DIMON SEEMED TO HAVE TRUMP FIGURED OUT—UNTIL THIS WEEK

WSJ - Alexander Saeedy, AnnaMaria Andriotis, Emily Glazer and Brian Schwartz (2026-01-15)

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has spent the past year carefully rebuilding his relationship with President Trump after previous tensions, but recent disagreements over Federal Reserve independence threaten to unravel those efforts. Dimon

WALMART EXPANDING DRONE DELIVERY TO HUNDREDS MORE STORES

WSJ (2026-01-15)

The country’s largest retailer plans to launch a lot more drones this year, making deliveries by sky available to tens of millions of U.S.

IT’S NOT TIME TO DUMP MEGABANK SHARES JUST YET

WSJ - Telis Demos (2026-01-15)

The U.S.

JPMORGAN’S DIMON BETS ON TECH AND AI AS APPLE CARD BUILDOUT BEGINS

Pymnts (2026-01-15)

“They actually built a completely different integrated into iOS tech stack,” he said of Apple.

POWER CORP.’S PORTAGE EXPANDS INTO SECONDARIES BY TAKING ON POINT72’S FINTECH PORTFOLIO

G&M - Sean Silcoff (2026-01-14)

This article reports on Portage Ventures (owned by Power Corp.

CHINA BLAMES US FOR TRADE IMBALANCES AS SURPLUS HITS RECORD $1.2TN

FT (2026-01-14)

This article discusses China's record-breaking $1.2

THIEVES DRILL INTO GERMAN BANK VAULT, STEAL TENS OF MILLIONS OF EUROS’ WORTH OF PROPERTY

CBC (2026-01-14)

German news agency dpa reported that the theft could be one of Germany’s largest.

FINANCIAL STOCKS FALL AS TRUMP'S CREDIT CARD RATE CAP PLAN RATTLES INVESTORS

Reuters - Niket Nishant and Utkarsh Shetti (2026-01-14)

This article covers the market reaction to President Trump's proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates. Market

JPMORGAN IS DITCHING SHAREHOLDER ADVISORY FIRMS IN FAVOUR OF AI. THIS IS A RECKONING

G&M - Aaron Boles (2026-01-13)

Aaron Boles is the president of the shareholder and governance advisory firm Kingsdale Advisors. Corporate

BANK OF CANADA'S MACKLEM BACKS U.S. FED CHAIR POWELL AMID DOJ PROBE

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-13)

"Chair Powell is doing a very good job under difficult circumstances, guiding the Fed to take monetary policy decisions based on evidence, not politics," Macklem said in a media statement.

DELTA AIR LINES, JPMORGAN CHASE TO KICK OFF FOURTH QUARTER REPORTING SEASON

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-13)

The major financial companies will round out the earnings docket this week.

GLOBAL CENTRAL BANKERS DEFEND FED'S POWELL AFTER TRUMP THREAT

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-13)

"We stand ‌in full solidarity with the Federal Reserve System ‍and its Chair Jerome H.

THAI CENTRAL BANK SEEKS MORE POWERS TO CURB ILLICIT MONEY FLOWS

BNN - Suttinee (Ying) Yuvejwattana (2026-01-13)

Thailand’s central bank is seeking broader powers to tackle structural risks in the financial system, including illicit-money flows and speculative activity that can distort the baht, Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said. The

CANADIAN INCOMES SURGED, BUT 71% EXPECT LIFE TO WORSEN IN 2026: MNP

Better Dwelling (2026-01-13)

The latest survey found 71% of respondents expect the cost of living to worsen.

MAJOR INDUSTRY MOVES AND FRANçOIS TRAHAN JOINS BMO AS CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST

Investment Executive (2026-01-13)

Article covering major industry moves in Canada and François Trahan has joined BMO Capital Markets as chief investment strategist, after the departure of Brian Belski in October.

TRUMP ALLIES AND OFFICIALS FEAR BLOWBACK FROM POWELL PROBE

WSJ - Brian Schwartz, Meridith McGraw, Josh Dawsey and Nick Timiraos (2026-01-13)

Some Trump administration officials and allies have expressed concern that the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could imperil the president’s nominees in the Senate and rattle financial markets. Among

BEHIND THE UNRAVELING OF APPLE’S CREDIT-CARD PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDMAN SACHS

WSJ - Annamaria Androitis (2026-01-13)

In early December, a long-delayed deal hung over a call between JPMorgan Chase JPM -1.43%decrease;

CITI AND PYMNTS LAUNCH ‘FROM THE BLOCK’ PODCAST: STRAIGHT TALK ON DIGITAL ASSETS

Pymnts - Karen Webster (2026-01-13)

“There’s so much hype right now around digital assets, and I think the industry really needs to ask what is real, what is not?

BUY NOW, PAY LATER POWERS THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY

Pymnts (2026-01-13)

The results show buy now, pay later (BNPL) moving beyond retail carts and into experiences and holiday budgets—often alongside rising card balances that are reshaping how consumers fund discretionary spending.

CANADA FINALLY ABOUT TO GET REAL-TIME PAYMENTS, OPEN BANKING

Electronic Payments International (2026-01-13)

Canada has long had a near-real-time P2P payments system, Interac e-Transfer, but the email- and cellphone-based network has low transaction limits and funds don’t necessarily move instantly between accounts.

SENATE UNVEILS LEGISLATION COVERING STABLECOIN REWARDS

Pymnts (2026-01-13)

The Senate Banking Committee on late Monday (Jan.

NORTH AMERICAN MIDDLE-MARKET FIRMS SIGNAL MAJOR WORKING CAPITAL EXPANSION IN 2026

Pymnts (2026-01-13)

Working capital adoption is now widespread, particularly in the U.S.,

SUMMARY OF CBDCS VERSUS INSTANT PAYMENTS BASED ON CENTRAL BANKER REPORT

Central Banking - Mark Sibthorpe (2026-01-13)

Summary: Instant Payments vs.

CI FINANCIAL BUYS INVESCO’S CANADIAN FUNDS MANAGING $26-BILLION IN ASSETS

G&M - James Bradshaw, Clare O'Hara (2026-01-13)

CI Financial Acquires Invesco's Canadian Fund Business article summary below. CI

WALL STREET CEOS TURN ON TRUMP AS HE ATTACKS THE FED AND CREDIT CARD INDUSTRY

G&M - Ken Sweet (2026-01-13)

Wall Street Clashes with Trump Over Fed Independence and Credit Card Caps article summary below. The

FED MUST 'BE CAREFUL, BE FOCUSED' TO CONTAIN INFLATION BELOW 3%

Yahoo Finance - Josh Lipton (2026-01-13)

Core CPI — which excludes food and energy prices — rose 0.2%

FED THAT FIGHTS BACK IS A THREAT TO TRUMP’S TAKEOVER PLAN

Bloomberg - Enda Curran, Amara Omeokwe, Joshua Green, and Saleha Mohsin (2026-01-13)

For the first time, Jerome Powell responded defiantly to the president’s attacks, and the administration is now worried about its plans to replace the Fed chair On the verge of naming a new Federal Reserve chief, the Trump administration took one more shot at the incumbent — and triggered a Washington

BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON REFUSE TO TESTIFY IN U.S. HOUSE EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION

CTV (2026-01-13)

“We will forcefully defend ourselves,” wrote the Clintons, who are Democrats.

CANADIAN RENTAL PRICES JUST POSTED THEIR SHARPEST DROP IN 4 YEARS

Better Dwelling (2026-01-13)

Falling national prices aren’t just due to rising supply, cooling demand also helped.

VENEZUELA: A CRUDE AWAKENING?

Central Banking (2026-01-12)

2004, Chaves demanded that the BCV hand over $1 billion in international reserves to fund the government’s agricultural programme.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TO INDICT FED CHAIR JEROME POWELL

G&M (2026-01-12)

The Trump administration has threatened to indict Federal Reserve ‍Chair Jerome Powell over Congressional testimony he gave last summer about a Fed building project, an action Powell called a “pretext” to gain more influence over the central bank and monetary policy. The

WALL STREET SKEPTICAL TRUMP’S PROPOSED CREDIT CARD RATE CAP WILL ADVANCE

G&M - Manya Saini (2026-01-12)

U.S.

BANK EARNINGS TO CAP BANNER 2025, SET THE TABLE FOR GROWTH IN 2026: 'EVERYTHING IS MOVING UP AT THE SAME TIME'

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-12)

America's biggest banks will report fourth quarter and annual results in the coming days, with JPMorgan Chase (JPM), the nation's largest bank, kicking off proceedings with its results on Tuesday morning.

GOLDMAN SACHS CHIEF ECONOMIST SAYS FED DECISIONS WILL NOT BE SWAYED BY POWELL CRIMINAL PROBE THREAT

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-12)

"Obviously there ​are more concerns that Fed independence is ‌going to be under the gun, with the latest news on the criminal investigation into Chair Powell really having reinforced those concerns," Hatzius said at a 2026 Goldman Sachs Global Strategy ⁠Conference.

TRUMP SAYS CREDIT CARD FIRMS VIOLATE LAW IF RATES NOT CAPPED

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-12)

“They really abused the credit cards,” he said of major lenders.

THIS IS WHO COMPANIES CALL WHEN THEY WANT TO BECOME A BANK

Bloomberg (2026-01-12)

Financial firms are racing to secure US bank charters during Trump’s presidency, with Klaros Group advising at least a dozen of them. Want

WHY HAVE PUBLIC MARKET LISTINGS FALLEN SO PRECIPITOUSLY?

Investment Executive (2026-01-12)

A market that is slow to police, hard to navigate and stuck on outdated processes pushes away both issuers and investors.

CANADIAN PRIVATE EQUITY SEES FUNDRAISING BOUNCE, BUT LIQUIDITY REMAINS A CHALLENGE

Investment Executive (2026-01-12)

Fundraising in Canadian PE recovered in 2025 after tanking by 95% in 2024, when only $1.6

FROM POTENTIAL TO PERFORMANCE: HOW CUS CAN CAPTURE THE FINTECH PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Pymnts - Pymnts (2026-01-09)

Digital banking demand and a realignment in FinTech partnership strategy are pushing innovation toward credit unions—and away from traditional banks.

RISE OF AI CHATBOTS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING BOOSTS ANALYST HOPES FOR SHOPIFY’S GROWTH

G&M - Irene Galea (2026-01-09)

Shopify Inc.

TRUMP TELLS FANNIE, FREDDIE TO BUY $200 BILLION OF MORTGAGE DEBT

Yahoo Finance - Josh Wingrove (2026-01-09)

He added that his decision not to sell Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during his first term allowed them to amass “$200 BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH” and that he was making his announcement “because of that.”

HOT PICKS: THREE FINANCIAL STOCKS FAVOURED FOR GROWTH AND STABILITY

BNN (2026-01-09)

Several financial stocks are drawing attention for their ability to combine earnings resilience with long-term growth, even as consumer credit conditions tighten and regulatory scrutiny remains elevated.

CANADA’S TRADE DEMAND IS RUNNING HOT, UNDERMINING BOC RATE CUTS

Better Dwelling (2026-01-09)

Imports showed broad-based growth from both consumer and industrial goods.

CANADA POSTED $583M MERCHANDISE TRADE DEFICIT FOR OCTOBER

Investment Executive (2026-01-09)

Canada’s imports outpaced the growth of exports in October as the country posted a merchandise trade deficit of $583 million for the month.

EUROPE ADDING ESG RISKS TO INDUSTRY STRESS TESTING

Investment Executive - James Langton (2026-01-09)

“The guidelines are designed to support a consistent, long-term approach to ESG stress testing while allowing flexibility to accommodate future methodological advances and improvements in data availability,” the regulators said.

A SHADOW FLEET SMUGGLES ILLICIT OIL ACROSS THE HIGH SEAS. THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.

WSJ (2026-01-09)

Two sanctioned oil tankers shut off their transponders earlier this month and powered to a meetup point, drawing alongside each other in the Sea of Japan. The

RAISING THE FDIC LIMIT RISKS REPEATING THE S&L CRISIS

WSJ - Jeb Hensarling and Michael Solon (2026-01-09)

Government insurance programs are often tied to budget-busting bailouts and economic crises.

FORMER TD EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO FACILITATING MONEY-LAUNDERING SCHEME

G&M - Stefanie Marotta (2026-01-08)

A former Toronto-Dominion Bank TD-T employee based in New York has pleaded guilty to shuffling hundreds of millions of dollars for a money-laundering network through the bank’s accounts. The

OFFICE VACANCY RATES CONTINUE TO DROP, BUT THE RECOVERY IS UNEVEN

G&M - Meera Raman (2026-01-08)

The rate of empty office space in Canada is continuing to drop but the recovery is uneven, with newer, high-quality buildings in cities seeing the biggest improvements while older offices still have high vacancy levels. Office

TRUMP SAYS HE WANTS TO BAN LARGE INVESTORS FROM BUYING HOUSES

G&M - Josh Boak (2026-01-08)

U.S.

RISING U.S. INFLUENCE IN LATIN AMERICA COULD BENEFIT SCOTIABANK’S GROWTH PLANS, CEO SAYS

G&M - Stefanie Marotta (2026-01-08)

Bank of Nova Scotia BNS-T chief executive Scott Thomson said Tuesday that an increasingly pro-business climate and rising U.S.

ROCK BOTTOM SALES IN CANADA’S HOUSING MARKET MAKE 2025 ‘ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS’: EXPERT

BNN - Adrian Ghobrial (2026-01-08)

The number of home sales in Toronto reached a 25-year low in 2025, dropping to around 62,400.

ODD LOTS: HERE'S WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO VENEZUELA'S MESSY $170 BILLION OF DEBT

Bloomberg (2026-01-08)

There are a bunch of questions right now about the future of Venezuela, and one of the big ones is what's going to happen to its circa $170 billion pile of debt.

THE BANKER, THE BROTHERS, THE FRIENDS AND THEIR FRAUDS

Investment Executive - James Langton (2026-01-08)

The U.S.

NO IMPACT ON BANKS FROM MADURO’S OUSTER: DBRS

Investment Executive - James Langton (2026-01-08)

“Against this very unfavourable backdrop, most Western banks have exited Venezuela,” the report said — including Citigroup Inc.,

JPMORGAN CHASE REACHES DEAL TO TAKE OVER APPLE CREDIT CARD

WSJ - AnnaMaria Andriotis, Gina Heeb (2026-01-08)

The biggest bank in the country will become the new issuer of the tech-giant’s credit card, one of the largest co-branded programs with some $20 billion in balances. Goldman

MODERNIZING POLICIES, GUIDANCE, AND SUPERVISION FOR REGULATORY EFFICIENCY

OSFI (2026-01-08)

As such, we are delaying several policy and guidance initiatives from our original schedule.

JOIN CENTRAL 1’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Central 1 (2026-01-08)

As a director, you’ll play a vital role in guiding Central 1’s strategy and governance.

PAYMENTS INDUSTRY MOVES TOWARD ALWAYS-ON FINANCE

IBS (2026-01-08)

The expansion of 24/7 settlement frameworks across more markets is also raising questions around standards, governance and interoperability.

ROSENBERG RESEARCH: EVEN AFTER THEIR RECENT SURGE, WE’RE STILL BULLISH ON CANADA’S BIG SIX BANKS

G&M - Mehmet Beceren (2026-01-07)

Canadian bank stocks, the so-called Big Six, have long been treated as stable, dividend-paying, and decidedly “boring” stocks to own.

SUSPECT IN DESJARDINS DATA LEAK INVOLVING 9.7 MILLION MEMBERS ARRESTED IN SPAIN

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-07)

Juan Pablo Serrano had been sought by police since June 2024 for the theft and resale of personal information belonging to the 9.7

'ECONOMIC WAR' AND GROWING DISPARITY KEY WORRIES OF BANK CEOS

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-07)

He cautioned that rising inequality is a key underlying cause of some of the political shifts going on, as the top 20 per cent of earners break further away from the majority.

BARCLAYS BUYS INTO STABLECOIN-SETTLEMENT COMPANY UBYX

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-07)

Barclays has bought a stake in U.S.

HOW DELCY RODRíGUEZ COURTED DONALD TRUMP AND ROSE TO POWER IN VENEZUELA

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-07)

This account of Rodríguez's political rise is drawn from interviews with 10 former U.S.

TRADE UNCERTAINTY WEIGHS ON CANADIAN BANKS IN 2026

BNN (2026-01-07)

BNN Bloomberg spoke with Carl De Souza, senior vice-president at Morningstar DBRS, about how U.S.

TORONTO HOUSING MARKET ENDED 2025 WITH DECLINES IN PRICES, SALES

Bloomberg (2026-01-07)

Toronto home sales and prices declined in December, capping off a year of tepid buyer interest as a result of trade tensions with the US. The

COURT GREEN LIGHTS SHAREHOLDER CLASS ACTION

Investment Executive (2026-01-07)

One of the major issues that the court considered in determining whether to certify the case as a class action revolved around a dispute over whether the allegedly deficient disclosures were “material” under securities law, and whether the plaintiff met the test for proceeding with an action alleging secondary market

THE DIGITAL EURO THAT EUROPE URGENTLY NEEDS

FT (2026-01-07)

The European Central Bank has announced timelines to launch two digital euros: a retail one for the general public and a wholesale version accessible to the same institutions that have access to central bank money today.

INTEREST RATE FORECAST

Central 1 (2026-01-06)

This links to a table with economic indicators including GDP growth, unemployment and CPI, and provides related financial forecasts based on the data.

INTRODUCING SASKATCHEWAN’S NEWEST CREDIT UNION

Conexus (2026-01-06)

In a historic milestone for the Saskatchewan credit union system, Conexus, Cornerstone and Synergy credit unions legally merged on Jan.

CHINA LAUNCHES ‘CREDIT REPAIR’ SCHEME TO BOOST LENDING

Central Banking (2026-01-06)

The People’s Bank of China has launched a one-time ‘credit repair’ scheme to remove overdue personal debt from the country’s credit records, in a bid to boost household lending.

WALMART AIMS AT CLOSING AMAZON ONLINE SALES GAP

Pymnts (2026-01-06)

Amazon has long dusted Walmart in eCommerce, capturing 56% compared to 9.6%

PAY LATER RESHAPES HOW AMERICA FINANCES THE HOLIDAYS

Pymnts (2026-01-06)

Pay Later plans are becoming a key part of how consumers afford meaningful moments amid rising financial pressure.

CANADIAN ETFS: A BIG SIX BANK ‘ULTRAYIELD’ FUND AMONG TWO LAUNCHES IN DECEMBER

G&M - Amy Mak (2026-01-06)

The start of the Santa Claus rally appeared promising, with the S&P 500 nearly reaching the 7000 mark before the end of the 2025 year.

VANCOUVER AREA SAW FEWEST HOME SALES IN MORE THAN TWO DECADES IN 2025

Yahoo Finance (2026-01-06)

Greater Vancouver home sales dropped 12.9

CREDIT MARKETS REV UP AFTER $61 BILLION OF DEALS IN ONE DAY

Yahoo Finance - Finbarr Flynn (2026-01-06)

The issuance surge highlights confidence in the global economy at the start of the year, a period that is typically one of the busiest for funding by companies and governments.

CANADIAN, U.S. MARKETS RISE AFTER RAID ON VENEZUELA AS OIL MARKET COMES INTO FOCUS

BNN (2026-01-06)

Canada’s main stock index rose to new highs Monday, helped by gains in the basic materials sector, while U.S.

FRANCE, BELGIUM AND AUSTRIA FACE 50% CHANCE OF RATING DOWNGRADES, JPMORGAN SAYS

Bloomberg - Craig Stirling (2026-01-06)

France, Belgium and Austria are the euro-zone members most vulnerable to credit-rating downgrades in 2026, according to JPMorgan. Each

GREENLAND FINANCES ARE SUDDENLY WORSE, DANISH CENTRAL BANK WARNS

Bloomberg (2026-01-06)

Greenland’s public finances are pressured after a “surprisingly sharp deterioration” last year, Denmark’s central bank said in an analysis of the Arctic island that’s again stoking geopolitical tensions. The

NEW LICENSING PROCESS BEGINS IN ONTARIO FOR OUT-OF-PROVINCE INSURANCE ADVISORS

Investment Executive - Michelle Schriver (2026-01-06)

“Beginning January 1, working in Ontario will become easier for financial services professionals across Canada,” the regulator said in a release on Wednesday.

EMBOLDENED ACTIVIST INVESTORS ARE CIRCLING U.S. BANKS

WSJ - Gina Heeb (2026-01-06)

A relatively unknown hedge fund pushed Comerica CMA 1.88%increase;

GOLD PRICE RISES AFTER US CAPTURES VENEZUELA'S MADURO

BBC - Peter HoskinsandOsmond Chia (2026-01-05)

Gold was about 2.2%

YELLEN WARNS OF GROWING ‘FISCAL DOMINANCE’ THREAT TO US ECONOMY

Bloomberg (2026-01-05)

A panel of economic luminaries said the long-run risk posed by mounting federal debt represented a paramount problem facing the US economy. Those

UEDA HIGHLIGHTS BOJ’S INTENTION TO KEEP RAISING RATE TO BANKERS

Bloomberg (2026-01-05)

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda used his first public appearance in the new year to underscore his intention to keep raising the benchmark rate in a speech to private bankers. “We

2025 — ANOTHER BANNER YEAR FOR PRIVATE WEALTH

Investment Executive (2026-01-05)

The fee margins make it one of the most profitable businesses in the financial services sector.

‘DOWN TO THE WIRE’: ECB’S DIGITAL EURO PROJECT FACES DECISIVE VOTE IN 2026

FT (2026-01-05)

One of the European Central Bank’s most complex and controversial projects is heading for a crucial test in the first half of 2026, when the European parliament is expected to vote on the digital euro. The

BEST MORTGAGE LENDERS IN CANADA FOR 2025

Forbes - Fiona Campbell, Jordan Lavin, Brian Kagan (2026-01-05)

This report ranks lenders and places Alterna Bank at the top of the pile.

CIBC HIRES FORMER AMBASSADOR DAVID MACNAUGHTON AS STRATEGIC ADVISER

G&M (2026-01-05)

David MacNaughton, a former Canadian ambassador to the United States, has joined CIBC CM-T as a strategic adviser. The

MORE THAN 145 COUNTRIES AGREE TO AMENDED GLOBAL MINIMUM CORPORATE TAX DEAL AFTER U.S. RAISED CONCERNS

G&M (2026-01-05)

More than ‍145 ​countries agreed on Monday to amend a 2021 global minimum corporate tax agreement, addressing Washington’s concerns the rules could penalize U.S.

SCOTIABANK SAYS TECHNICAL GLITCH THAT DISRUPTED DIRECT DEPOSIT, CHEQUE PAYMENTS HAS BEEN RESOLVED

G&M (2026-01-28)

“We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience the earlier technical issue has had on our clients, and sincerely appreciate their patience as we worked through this,” Ms.

THREE REAL ESTATE MARKETS THAT ARE BUCKING NATIONAL TRENDS

G&M - SALMAAN FAROOQUI (2026-01-19)

Canada's housing market is fragmented, with the national home price index dropping 1 percent in December, but three regions showing distinctly different trends.

GOLD FALLS AS TRUMP HESITATES ON HASSETT AS FED CHAIR PICK

Yahoo Finance - Yvonne Yue Li (2026-01-19)

Trump on Friday said if Hassett were to leave his post as director of the National Economic Council, it would deprive the administration of one of its most powerful messengers on the economy.

BITCOIN FALLS BELOW $92,000 AS TARIFF FEARS WEIGH ON RISK ASSETS

Yahoo Finance - Suvashree Ghosh (2026-01-19)

Bitcoin slid as much as 3.6%