Economy

Since stepping down as CEO of Webster Bank last month, James Smith has spent much of his time co-chairing a panel tasked with solving his home state’s fiscal and economic woes. Banks, and perhaps even fintechs, could be a part of its comeback story, he says.

Bank stocks tumbled on Monday amid a wider sell-off as investors' concerns mounted that wage growth could lead to inflation, higher borrowing costs for businesses and a slowdown in Fed rate hikes.

Some bankers spread the religion of this year's feel-good World Economic Forum, but others were more circumspect. The list of potential threats remains lengthy — including trade wars and the bursting of the bitcoin bubble — and all pose risks to banks and the economy.

Improving gender equality could significantly boost growth in advanced economies over the coming decades, according to Citigroup Inc.

Profits at the Puerto Rico-based company rose in the second quarter, lifted in part by commercial loan growth in its U.S. operations. Popular executives said they have sold off the company’s remaining direct exposure to the island’s central government.