Banking

The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, in line with widespread expectations from economists and markets. The decision keeps the bank's campaign against elevated inflation moving forward, and analysts are now watching for signals on whether further tightening will follow at upcoming meetings.

The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep interest rates unchanged even as inflation reaches its highest level in three years. The decision means borrowing costs will stay where they are for now, with policymakers weighing stubborn price pressures against signs of strain in the economy. Markets and economists are watching closely for signals on when, or whether, the central bank might move rates again.

The head of the Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, has warned that the Netherlands needs to keep its state debt under control. The warning comes as governments across Europe face pressure on public finances, with the Dutch central bank chief stressing that fiscal discipline is necessary to keep the country's debt in check.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman says the Federal Reserve's latest rate hike could backfire and make inflation worse rather than curb it. His argument adds to a growing debate among investors and economists over whether further monetary tightening is the right response to persistent price pressures.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that Australians should not expect a return to the cheap borrowing costs of the past decade. The comments have drawn wide attention, with households and businesses weighing what persistently higher rates mean for mortgages, savings and the broader economy.

Markets face a packed economic calendar this week, headlined by the U.S. jobs report and inflation figures from the United States, Eurozone, Australia, South Korea and Tokyo. The Reserve Bank of Australia meets, while speeches are scheduled from the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England. Traders will watch the releases closely for clues on interest rate paths.

Attention is turning to who might succeed Christine Lagarde as president of the European Central Bank. Four possible scenarios are being sketched for the post-Lagarde era, laying out potential candidates and pathways for the eurozone's top monetary policy job as her term eventually winds down.

The U.S. dollar is rebounding against major currencies as the Federal Reserve's policy direction continues to reshape foreign exchange markets. Traders are reassessing interest rate expectations, with the dollar regaining strength after a period of pressure. Analysts say Fed decisions remain the dominant driver of global currency movements, keeping markets volatile.

Hungary's central bank has lowered its inflation target, and bond investors are taking it as a sign the country is steering toward meeting the criteria for euro adoption. Analysts say the move could anchor expectations, support further rate cuts and make Hungarian government debt more attractive, though the timing of any euro entry remains uncertain.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell says he will stay on the central bank's board of governors after his term as chair expires next month. The announcement keeps him involved in US monetary policy even as a successor takes over the top role, a move drawing attention amid ongoing debate over interest rates and the Fed's leadership transition.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to raise the cash rate to 4.6%, its highest level in more than a decade, when its board next meets. Such a move would mark another step in the bank's campaign against inflation and would push mortgage repayments higher for many Australian households. Commentators are weighing how much further the bank can tighten without tipping the economy into a downturn.

Commentary resurfaces on why the US dollar remains dominant in central bank reserves despite talk of de-dollarisation. The argument is that no other currency offers the same depth, liquidity and legal safety as US Treasury markets, making the dollar hard to replace even as countries like China and Russia push alternatives. Analysts note that diversification into gold and other currencies is happening, but only at the margins.

Indian bank employees are preparing for a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, raising questions about how services will be affected. Reports outline the expected impact on UPI payments, ATM withdrawals, cheque clearing and branch services during the walkout. Customers are being urged to plan transactions in advance, and discussion is focused on how long disruptions could last and which services will keep running.

South Korea is projected to collect a tax revenue windfall of more than 50 trillion won, according to a Yonhap report carried by the Taipei Times. The unexpected surplus would give the government significant extra fiscal room at a time when officials are weighing spending priorities and budget plans. Discussions are focusing on how the extra revenue might be used.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed a first deputy governor of the Central Bank of Syria, according to the state news agency SANA. The move fills a senior vacancy in the country's monetary authority as Syria works to stabilise its banking sector and rebuild its economy after years of conflict and sanctions.

Iraq and the United States have agreed to resume shipments of US dollar cash to Iraq, according to Middle East Monitor. The move eases a dispute that had disrupted dollar flows to Iraqi banks and the currency market, where cash dollars are widely used for trade and salaries. Details on timing and volumes were not given.

Debate has emerged over whether markets are pricing in too many interest rate increases from the European Central Bank. Commentators are questioning if investor expectations for the pace and extent of ECB tightening are ahead of what the bank will actually deliver, a question with direct implications for the euro, bond yields and borrowing costs across the eurozone.

European Union institutions are raising the question of whether Europe should develop its own payment system, reducing reliance on foreign card networks and payment platforms. The debate comes as officials push for greater 'strategic autonomy' in financial infrastructure, with merchants and banks weighing the costs and benefits of a homegrown alternative to Visa and Mastercard.

The chief executive of Scottsdale Mint argues that gold functions as a trustless asset, one that does not depend on promises from governments or financial institutions. In his comments, he points to sustained central bank gold buying, ongoing price volatility, and bottlenecks in the refining industry as evidence that demand for physical bullion is outpacing processing capacity and reshaping how investors view the metal.

The Saudi Central Bank has increased its holdings of Meta Platforms stock, according to a regulatory filing reported by MarketBeat. The disclosure signals continued institutional interest in the social media company among sovereign wealth managers in the Gulf region. Investors watch such moves closely as an indicator of confidence in Meta's advertising business and its push into artificial intelligence.

The Bulgarian National Bank has cautioned that the proposed tax on banks could increase the cost of credit for businesses and households. According to the bank, additional levies on the sector may be passed on to customers through higher lending rates or fees, weighing on borrowing and economic activity.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt to discuss measures aimed at strengthening the country's financial and monetary stability. The talks come as Egypt works to shore up its economy, manage inflation and currency pressures, and maintain confidence in its banking sector amid ongoing economic reforms.

Syria says it expects more than $1 billion in foreign capital to flow into newly established banks, according to the state news agency SANA. The announcement points to efforts to rebuild the country's banking sector and attract international investment as the economy stabilises. The exact investors and timeline have not been detailed.

Da Afghanistan Bank has signed a cooperation agreement with the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Facility, the two sides announced. The deal is intended to support lending to the country's private sector, with the guarantee facility helping banks extend credit to businesses that lack sufficient collateral. Financial officials in Kabul have been pushing measures to stabilise and expand the banking sector as the economy struggles under sanctions and weak investment.

Capital Economics forecasts Nigeria's economy growing at around 5%, while Kenya is expected to face further interest rate increases. The contrasting outlook highlights diverging monetary pressures across Africa's major economies, with Nigeria's expansion outpacing Kenya's as East Africa grapples with inflation and tighter policy.

Nigeria's Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explain its handling of ₦1.63 trillion and $6.23 million. The rights group is seeking details on how the funds were spent or managed, pressing the apex bank for transparency amid ongoing public concerns about accountability in government financial institutions.

Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central bank, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Factories (ACGF). The deal is aimed at strengthening coordination between the banking sector and the business community. Details of what the agreement covers have not yet been widely reported beyond the announcement itself.

The National Bank of Egypt is set to take over Banque Misr's branch operations in the United Arab Emirates. The deal, announced in Egyptian financial press, would see one of the country's largest state-owned banks absorb its fellow state lender's Emirates footprint. Details on the transaction's value and timeline have not yet been disclosed.

The chairman of Iran's Central Bank announced that inflation in the country has decreased by 3.9%. The statement comes as Iranians continue to grapple with high living costs and currency pressure, so any reported slowdown in price growth is closely watched both domestically and by observers of Iran's sanctions-hit economy.

A report in the Philippines suggests that businesses and consumers have become less pessimistic even as the war continues, indicating some easing of negative sentiment about the economic outlook. The piece, published by The Manila Times, is categorised under banking and finance coverage, though no further details are available from the headline alone.

Da Afghanistan Bank says nearly 350 ATMs are operating across Afghanistan, according to TOLOnews. The figure offers a rare snapshot of the country's banking infrastructure, which has been strained since the Taliban takeover in 2021, when foreign funding froze and many banks restricted withdrawals. Observers are likely to weigh the number against Afghanistan's population of over 40 million, where cash remains dominant and access to formal financial services is limited, especially outside major cities.

Advertising firm 33Across has rebranded as WealthStage, a platform aimed at banks, lenders, brokers, insurers and trading apps. The company is offering an AI engine that scores household wealth, positioning itself for an estimated $124 trillion in wealth changing hands by 2048. Questions are being raised about which data feeds the engine and what part of the business remains under the 33Across name.

A former Bank of Sudan official has argued that removing zeros from the Sudanese pound would simplify prices and make everyday transactions easier. The proposal amounts to a redenomination of the war-battered currency, which has lost much of its value and forced Sudanese to carry huge stacks of banknotes. The comment is drawing attention as the country's monetary crisis deepens.

The Governor of the Qatar Central Bank met with Algeria's Minister of Finance in a bilateral meeting. Details of the agenda were not disclosed, but such talks typically cover financial cooperation, banking ties and monetary policy coordination between the two countries. The meeting comes amid growing economic engagement between Gulf states and North African partners, and it is drawing attention in regional financial and business circles.

Somalia's federal parliament has passed a judicial cooperation bill and moved forward with proposed amendments to legislation governing the Central Bank. The measures form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's legal institutions and financial governance, though details of the amendments and the vote's margin have not yet been widely reported.

Revolut is promoting 'selfie payments', a pair of new features that use facial biometrics to make checkout faster, as part of its broader push to disrupt traditional banks and legacy payment providers. Commenters are weighing what the fintech stands to gain from the move and whether biometric payments will catch on with shoppers and regulators.

The Bank of Uganda has called for banknotes to be printed domestically rather than abroad, according to NTV Uganda. Moving currency printing local would keep contracts and costs inside the country, but the proposal raises questions about cost, security and printing capacity at home. Details of the bank's plan and the government's response were not immediately given.

Huntington Bank has brought its marketing and digital operations together in a push for growth, appointing former USAA executive Ameesh Vakharia to lead the effort. He has been tasked with aligning the regional bank's brand experience with its digital product delivery, a move that reflects how lenders are consolidating customer-facing functions as competition with digital-first banks intensifies.

Nigeria's largest cable manufacturer is calling for access to cheaper credit from the state, arguing that lower-cost financing would support its operations and expansion in a tough economic environment. The request highlights a broader complaint among Nigerian manufacturers that high borrowing costs and limited access to affordable capital are squeezing industrial businesses.

The Moroccan dirham has lost ground over the past week, falling 1.5% against the US dollar and 0.3% against the euro. The decline is being reported by Moroccan financial media, and observers are watching whether the currency's weakness continues and what it could mean for import prices and the wider economy.

Kenya's Central Bank reports the country's mortgage market has grown to Ksh307 billion in outstanding loans, with the average mortgage now standing at about Ksh10 million. The figures point to rising property prices and increased uptake of home loans, renewing debate about housing affordability for ordinary Kenyan borrowers.