Finance News and Headlines

Fears that Basel III Regulations Could Penalise Africa
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Fears that Basel III Regulations Could Penalise Africa

The Basel III regulatory package, delayed to a full 2027 rollout, tightens capital quality, leverage and liquidity requirements for banks worldwide. African banks risk higher capital costs because their sovereign debt is risk‑weighted more heavily, potentially limiting credit to the...

By African Business
Financing the Global South’s Infrastructure Boom
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Financing the Global South’s Infrastructure Boom

Private participation in infrastructure across the Global South reached $100 billion in 2024, a 20% rise over the previous five‑year average. The article highlights India’s PPP surge, which drove infrastructure credit to over 15% of bank lending but also triggered an...

By Project Syndicate — Economics
UK Unemployment Hits Highest Level Since 2021 – Will Interest Rate Cuts Follow?
NewsFeb 17, 2026

UK Unemployment Hits Highest Level Since 2021 – Will Interest Rate Cuts Follow?

The UK's unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in the three months to December 2025, the highest level since 2021, while wage growth slowed to 4.2% and job vacancies remained flat. Morgan Stanley research shows AI is already reshaping the labour market,...

By MoneyWeek – All
Blackstone to Acquire Home Services Firm Champions Group From Odyssey
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Blackstone to Acquire Home Services Firm Champions Group From Odyssey

Blackstone announced a definitive agreement to acquire Champions Group, a leading home‑services provider, from Odyssey. The transaction includes a minority equity stake retained by Odyssey and the company’s management, ensuring continued alignment of interests. Financial terms were not disclosed, but...

By PE Hub
MindBridge Announces Global Partnership with Genpact to Elevate Audit Analytics and Risk Consulting
NewsFeb 17, 2026

MindBridge Announces Global Partnership with Genpact to Elevate Audit Analytics and Risk Consulting

MindBridge, an AI‑powered financial intelligence firm, announced a global partnership with Genpact to embed its analytics platform into Genpact’s Enterprise Risk Consulting engagements. The collaboration will allow Genpact to deliver full‑population risk scoring, anomaly detection, and continuous controls monitoring for...

By CPA Practice Advisor
Amwell Expects Lower Revenue in 2026
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Amwell Expects Lower Revenue in 2026

Amwell announced 2026 revenue guidance of $195 million to $205 million, down from $249.3 million in 2025, after divesting non‑core assets. The company has consolidated its offerings into a single, technology‑enabled care platform focused on SaaS and third‑party services. Executives said the streamlined...

By Healthcare Dive (Industry Dive)
NHAI Gets Rs 12,357 Cr Towards Monetisation for 2025-26; Lower than the Budgeted and Revised Estimate of Rs 15,000 Cr
NewsFeb 17, 2026

NHAI Gets Rs 12,357 Cr Towards Monetisation for 2025-26; Lower than the Budgeted and Revised Estimate of Rs 15,000 Cr

India's National Highways Authority (NHAI) has been allocated Rs 12,357 crore for FY 2025‑26 to monetize highway assets, falling short of the Rs 15,000 crore budgeted amount. The agency plans to monetize 24 road assets covering 1,472 km, with Maharashtra receiving the highest number of projects....

By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
L&G to Maintain Exposure to Catastrophe Bonds Despite Spread Tightening
NewsFeb 17, 2026

L&G to Maintain Exposure to Catastrophe Bonds Despite Spread Tightening

Legal & General Investment Management will keep its catastrophe‑bond exposure despite recent spread compression. The firm’s portfolio, estimated at a minimum of $400 million, remains in diversified multi‑asset funds while it waits for more attractive entry points. Turner and Dietz note...

By Artemis (ILS/cat bonds)
Convergence: Navigating the Blurred Lines Between Public and Private Credit
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Convergence: Navigating the Blurred Lines Between Public and Private Credit

In a recent InsuranceAUM interview, Chris Gudmastad, Head of Private Credit, discusses the growing convergence between public and private credit markets. He highlights how blended financing structures are blurring traditional asset class boundaries and reshaping investment opportunities. The conversation underscores...

By Loomis Sayles — Blog
Jefferson Posts $201M Operating Loss in H1
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Jefferson Posts $201M Operating Loss in H1

Thomas Jefferson University, owner of Jefferson Health, posted a $201 million operating loss for the first half of fiscal 2026, reflecting a -2.3% operating margin. The loss includes $64.7 million in restructuring expenses tied to a planned layoff of roughly 650 employees....

By Becker’s Hospital Review
T+1 Settlement: How Custody Tech Boosts Readiness
NewsFeb 17, 2026

T+1 Settlement: How Custody Tech Boosts Readiness

T+1 settlement forces firms to complete trade capture, confirmation, reconciliation and final settlement within one business day. The compressed timeline eliminates overnight buffers, exposing manual and batch‑based custody processes to heightened operational and liquidity risk. Automation and real‑time custody platforms...

By Fintech Global
Finance and Sales Teams Don’t Match up on Criteria for Deal Approvals
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Finance and Sales Teams Don’t Match up on Criteria for Deal Approvals

A CreditSafe survey of over 200 finance and sales leaders reveals a stark mismatch in deal‑approval criteria. While 49% of sales executives rate company size and revenue as very important, only 33% of finance leaders share that view, with finance...

By CFO.com
Why Abu Dhabi’s Next Play Is Managing Other People’s Money
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Why Abu Dhabi’s Next Play Is Managing Other People’s Money

International Holding Co., the UAE’s largest listed conglomerate, has launched Judan Financial, an AI‑enabled platform that consolidates its financial services assets. Chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Judan is valued at $27 billion and will manage roughly $237 billion in assets. The...

By Semafor – Business
Underwriting Spreads Rise in 2025
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Underwriting Spreads Rise in 2025

Underwriting spreads for municipal bonds rose again in 2025, reaching an average of $4.30 per $1,000, up from $4.23 in 2024. Negotiated‑deal spreads increased to $4.64 while competitive‑deal spreads fell to $1.78. The uptick coincides with record issuance volumes—$586 billion in...

By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
International Business Briefs | Kennedy Wilson to Go Private in $1.5bn CEO-Led Deal
NewsFeb 17, 2026

International Business Briefs | Kennedy Wilson to Go Private in $1.5bn CEO-Led Deal

Kennedy Wilson agreed to a $1.5 bn CEO‑led buyout, offering a 10.2% premium and targeting a Q2 2026 close. Genuine Parts announced a split into two publicly traded entities—Automotive Parts Group and Industrial Parts Group—set to finalize in Q1 2027 after an activist‑driven settlement. Blackstone‑backed...

By BusinessLIVE
Beyond the Balance Sheet: Why the Future of Franchising Is Proactive, Not Passive
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Beyond the Balance Sheet: Why the Future of Franchising Is Proactive, Not Passive

The Restaurant Innovation and Franchising Summit in San Diego will feature a session called “The Money Map: Navigating Your Franchise to Peak Profit,” urging operators to treat unit economics as a dynamic narrative rather than static spreadsheets. Panelists stress proactive...

By Fast Casual
IPO-Bound Kissht's NBFC Arm Gets Crisil Rating Upgrade on Strong Growth
NewsFeb 17, 2026

IPO-Bound Kissht's NBFC Arm Gets Crisil Rating Upgrade on Strong Growth

Kissht’s NBFC subsidiary Si Creva Capital Services received a CRISIL rating upgrade, moving its long‑term rating to A‑/Stable and short‑term to A1. The upgrade follows a surge in assets under management, which climbed to Rs 5,533 crore by September 2025, driven by rapid expansion...

By The Economic Times – Markets
Broker’s Call: GMR Airports (Buy)
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Broker’s Call: GMR Airports (Buy)

GMR Airports reported a structural earnings inflection in Q3FY26, driven by tariff‑led aero yield growth at Delhi and expanding non‑aero adjacency services. Net debt is expected to peak in FY26 before declining as EBITDA scales, supported by a projected 29%...

By The Hindu Business Line — Markets
Side Letter: M&G’s Liquidity Play
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Side Letter: M&G’s Liquidity Play

M&G has introduced a side‑letter that leverages the secondary market to provide liquidity for its private‑equity commitments, allowing investors optional redemption windows while preserving long‑term value. The move comes as Q4 private‑equity exit volume fell below expectations, highlighting a slowdown...

By Private Equity International
SEALSQ Announces FY 2025 Key Preliminary / Unaudited Financials Metrics: Reports 66% Year Over Year Revenue Growth to $18 Million
NewsFeb 17, 2026

SEALSQ Announces FY 2025 Key Preliminary / Unaudited Financials Metrics: Reports 66% Year Over Year Revenue Growth to $18 Million

SEALSQ Corp reported FY 2025 revenue of $18 million, a 66% year‑over‑year increase, while maintaining a cash balance above $425 million. The company posted a net loss of $30‑40 million, reflecting heightened R&D and integration expenses. It highlighted a $200 million plus business pipeline, including...

By GlobeNewswire – Earnings Releases
Kite Realty Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Operating Results and Provides 2026 Guidance
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Kite Realty Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Operating Results and Provides 2026 Guidance

Kite Realty Group (KRG) posted a dramatic turnaround in 2025, reporting net income of $298.7 million ($1.37 per diluted share) versus $4.1 million the prior year. The REIT leased roughly 4.6 million sq ft at a 13.8% comparable cash‑leasing spread and entered two joint‑venture partnerships...

By GlobeNewswire – Earnings Releases
Cogent Biosciences Reports Recent Business Highlights and Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Cogent Biosciences Reports Recent Business Highlights and Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Cogent Biosciences announced that its lead drug bezuclastinib is on track for multiple FDA submissions in 2026, including NDAs for non‑advanced systemic mastocytosis (Non‑AdvSM), advanced SM (AdvSM) and second‑line GIST. The company reported $901 million in cash, sufficient to fund operations...

By GlobeNewswire – Earnings Releases
EToro Reports $868M Net Contribution for 2025, Funded Accounts Rise to 3.8 Million
NewsFeb 17, 2026

EToro Reports $868M Net Contribution for 2025, Funded Accounts Rise to 3.8 Million

eToro posted its first full‑year results as a public company, reporting a net contribution of $868 million, a 10% increase year over year, and GAAP net income of $216 million. Growth was driven by expanded stock, derivatives and ISA offerings, while crypto...

By Finance Magnates Fintech
Affirm’s Move to Become a Bank Signals a Reconfiguration for the BaaS Industry and Beyond
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Affirm’s Move to Become a Bank Signals a Reconfiguration for the BaaS Industry and Beyond

Fintech lender Affirm announced plans to obtain a U.S. banking charter, a move that could reshape the banking‑as‑a‑service (BaaS) landscape. The filing comes as charter applications have surged, with 21 submissions in the first eight months of 2025—more than double...

By Tearsheet
Amundi Lists an ETF Dedicated to European Strategic Autonomy on Xetra
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Amundi Lists an ETF Dedicated to European Strategic Autonomy on Xetra

Amundi has launched a Luxembourg‑domiciled ETF that tracks the Euronext European Strategic Autonomy index, focusing on ten sectors deemed critical for Europe’s self‑sufficiency. The fund, listed on Xetra and also available in Paris, carries a 0.40% annualised total expense ratio...

By ETFWorld Europe (EN)
Why Proof of Address Is Essential for KYC Compliance
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Why Proof of Address Is Essential for KYC Compliance

Proof of address has become a cornerstone of Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance across banks, fintechs, and crypto platforms. Regulators such as the FATF and FCA require recent utility bills, bank statements, or government letters to verify a customer’s residence....

By The European Financial Review
Fund Managers Alarmed over Corporate Spending Even as Optimism at Five-Year High
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Fund Managers Alarmed over Corporate Spending Even as Optimism at Five-Year High

Fund managers are at a five‑year high of bullishness, yet a record share warn that corporate America is overspending on capital expenditures amid uncertain returns. In Bank of America’s February survey of 162 managers, cash balances rose in February, signaling...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
UK Funds Remain Unloved Despite Impressive Year for FTSE 100
NewsFeb 17, 2026

UK Funds Remain Unloved Despite Impressive Year for FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 delivered a strong performance this year, climbing roughly 12% despite lingering macro uncertainties. Yet UK equity funds continued to see net outflows, with investors pulling about 15% less capital compared to the previous year. The reluctance stems...

By Investment Week – ETFs
Carlyle, BlackRock Buy Cheap Software Loans to Boost CLO Profits
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Carlyle, BlackRock Buy Cheap Software Loans to Boost CLO Profits

Carlyle Group, BlackRock, Benefit Street Partners and Oak Hill Advisors are buying pools of low‑yield, software‑focused bank loans. The acquisitions are intended to seed new collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) after a year of compressed margins in the loan market. Buyers...

By Bloomberg — Business
LSEG Partners with Bank of America to Unlock Next Generation Data, Analytics and AI Ready Content for Clients
NewsFeb 17, 2026

LSEG Partners with Bank of America to Unlock Next Generation Data, Analytics and AI Ready Content for Clients

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Bank of America have entered a multi‑year partnership to embed LSEG’s data, analytics and workflow solutions across BofA’s platforms. The deal gives BofA clients governed, rights‑cleared data and AI‑ready content, powered by LSEG Workspace,...

By FX News Group
Sporticast 528: MLS at a Crossroads
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Sporticast 528: MLS at a Crossroads

MLS franchise values have surged to an average of $767 million, driven by Inter Miami’s $1.45 billion valuation and LAFC’s $1.4 billion mark. At the lower end, clubs like CF Montréal sit at $430 million, with San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps seeing year‑over‑year declines. The...

By Sportico
London Stock Exchange Celebrated Record-Breaking Birthday Year for ETPs in 2025
NewsFeb 17, 2026

London Stock Exchange Celebrated Record-Breaking Birthday Year for ETPs in 2025

The London Stock Exchange marked a milestone 2025, delivering a record‑breaking year for exchange‑traded products (ETPs). Trading volume surged to GBP 238.4 billion, a 38% year‑on‑year increase, while 398 new listings pushed the total to 2,645 ETPs. The removal of the retail...

By ETF Express
Operational Discipline in Streaming Is Now Non-Negotiable
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Operational Discipline in Streaming Is Now Non-Negotiable

Streaming operators are moving from growth‑focused strategies to strict cost discipline as subscriber acquisition slows and infrastructure expenses rise. Igor Oreper argues that profitability now depends on tightly controlled workflows, AI‑driven automation, and smarter cloud‑native architectures. He highlights concrete levers...

By Streaming Media
Toshiba Weighs Reducing Elevator Unit Stake as Kone Circles
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Toshiba Weighs Reducing Elevator Unit Stake as Kone Circles

Toshiba Corp. is weighing a partial or full divestiture of its roughly 80% stake in Toshiba Elevator & Building Systems, as Finland’s Kone Oyj signals renewed interest. Kone, which already owns just under 20% of the unit, has begun informal...

By Bloomberg — Business
Kenya’s Arc Ride Secures $5 Million IFC Commitment for Regional Expansion
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Kenya’s Arc Ride Secures $5 Million IFC Commitment for Regional Expansion

Kenyan e‑mobility startup Arc Ride has secured a $5 million equity commitment from the International Finance Corporation to fuel its Series A round and regional rollout. The funding will accelerate the deployment of battery‑swapping stations across East Africa, complementing earlier debt deals...

By TechCabal
Olaf Sleijpen: Repairing the Vending Machine - How the Savings and Investment Union Is Key to Europe's Future
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Olaf Sleijpen: Repairing the Vending Machine - How the Savings and Investment Union Is Key to Europe's Future

Olaf Sleijpen, governor of De Nederlandsche Bank, highlighted Europe’s €10 trillion of low‑yield household deposits and the need to channel them into productive capital markets through the Savings and Investment Union. He warned that fragmented insolvency regimes and national rules act...

By BIS — Press Releases
Policy Paper: Applying the FSMA 2000 Model of Regulation to the Capital Requirements Regulation
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Policy Paper: Applying the FSMA 2000 Model of Regulation to the Capital Requirements Regulation

HM Treasury’s 2025 policy update outlines a shift from the EU‑derived Capital Requirements Regulation to a UK‑specific framework built on the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Treasury will revoke parts of the CRR and replace them with rules...

By HM Treasury – Atom feed
4 Steps to Building Your Own Fintech
NewsFeb 17, 2026

4 Steps to Building Your Own Fintech

UK platforms Klipboard, Access Group, and Epos Now illustrate a four‑stage roadmap for building embedded finance. They begin by validating assumptions and launching embedded payments, then evolve payments into a core, cross‑functional capability. Next, they add complementary financial products such as...

By Payments Dive
CleanMax to Float ₹3,100 Crore IPO on Feb 23
NewsFeb 17, 2026

CleanMax to Float ₹3,100 Crore IPO on Feb 23

CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions announced a ₹3,100 crore IPO opening on Feb 23, with a price band of ₹1,000‑1,053 per share that values the company at up to ₹12,325 crore. The issue includes a ₹1,200 crore fresh issue and a ₹1,900 crore offer‑for‑sale by promoters,...

By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
CFO Budgets Pivot to Growth and AI - Weekly Roundup: 17 February
NewsFeb 17, 2026

CFO Budgets Pivot to Growth and AI - Weekly Roundup: 17 February

CFOs are reallocating 2026 budgets toward revenue‑generating functions, technology and AI, while headcount growth and HR spending slow sharply. Nearly 60% of finance leaders plan to raise AI spend, echoing a broader trend of near‑universal AI adoption in financial services....

By CTMfile (Corporate Treasury Management)
Mondrian Picks FundGuard to Update Investment Ledger
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Mondrian Picks FundGuard to Update Investment Ledger

Mondrian, a European asset manager, has selected FundGuard’s cloud‑based investment ledger to replace its legacy accounting system. The new platform will provide real‑time transaction processing, automated regulatory reporting, and seamless integration with tokenisation workflows. Migration includes historic data transfer and...

By Funds Europe – ETFs
Private Credit: Poised For Growth
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Private Credit: Poised For Growth

Asia‑Pacific private credit is entering a rapid expansion phase, with issuance projected to rise from $59 billion in 2024 to $92 billion by 2027. Industry leaders such as SC Lowy and Moody’s cite digitalization, the energy transition, and infrastructure needs as primary catalysts,...

By Global Finance Magazine
What CFOs Need From Banks and FinTechs in Cross-Border Payments
NewsFeb 17, 2026

What CFOs Need From Banks and FinTechs in Cross-Border Payments

Cross‑border payments are undergoing a structural shift as CFOs demand more predictable, liquid, and compliant solutions. FinTech firms have accelerated speed and API‑driven usability, opening new corridors and transparent pricing. At the same time, banks are investing in modern settlement,...

By PYMNTS
DCM Shriram Industries’ Demerger Entities Debut on Bourses
NewsFeb 17, 2026

DCM Shriram Industries’ Demerger Entities Debut on Bourses

DCM Shriram Industries completed its demerger, launching DCM Shriram Fine Chemicals Ltd and DCM Shriram International Ltd on Indian exchanges. Fine Chemicals opened around 17% below its issue price, while International fell about 18% on the NSE but edged up...

By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
CESC Seeks KERC Nod to Bridge Revenue Deficit
NewsFeb 17, 2026

CESC Seeks KERC Nod to Bridge Revenue Deficit

Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has asked the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to approve a plan that bridges a ₹528.1 crore net revenue deficit for FY 2024‑25. The shortfall stems from higher power procurement costs, rising finance expenses and a 5.8%...

By ET EnergyWorld (The Economic Times)
Overseas and E-Commerce Payments to Be Made Easier in Ethiopia
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Overseas and E-Commerce Payments to Be Made Easier in Ethiopia

The National Bank of Ethiopia announced sweeping foreign‑exchange reforms, letting exporters retain 100% of their foreign‑currency earnings in designated accounts and permitting banks to issue payment cards linked to those accounts. The minimum $100 requirement for foreign‑exchange savings accounts has...

By African Business
Fibe Crosses Rs 1,200 Cr Revenue in FY25; Profit Spikes 13%
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Fibe Crosses Rs 1,200 Cr Revenue in FY25; Profit Spikes 13%

Fibe, the former EarlySalary, posted FY25 operating revenue of Rs 1,228 crore, a 49% increase from the prior year, while net profit rose 13% to Rs 114 crore. Interest on loans remained the dominant revenue stream, exceeding Rs 1,000 crore and representing over...

By Entrackr
Blackstone and EQT to Acquire Spanish Waste Business Urbaser for €5.6bn
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Blackstone and EQT to Acquire Spanish Waste Business Urbaser for €5.6bn

Blackstone and EQT have agreed to acquire Spain’s waste‑management firm Urbaser for an enterprise value of €5.6 billion. The purchase price reflects an 11‑times multiple of the company’s projected 2025 EBITDA, underscoring strong confidence in the sector’s cash flow generation. The...

By PE Hub
How Recruitment Funding Really Works (Beyond the Percentage)
NewsFeb 17, 2026

How Recruitment Funding Really Works (Beyond the Percentage)

Recruitment agencies often focus on headline funding percentages, but the true cost is driven by how funding behaves under real‑world conditions. Factors such as debt protection activation, margin release timing, invoice aging, credit limits, and ancillary charges shape cash‑flow stability...

By Onrec