Fintech

One of the leading makers of pre-packaged salads has acquired a 16.3% stake in Salinas, California-based Pacific Valley Bank. "It's a real vote of confidence," the bank's CEO said.

The deal ends more than a year of speculation of who would take over Apple's coveted credit card portfolio.

The U.K. bank has completed a payment using the stablecoin alternative; while Revolut is trying to acquire Turkish neobank FUBS. Plus: execs tied to the Wirecard scandal are on their way to prison and more in the American Banker global payments and fintech roundup.

With fintechs and legal cases pressuring payment fees, the card companies are leaning more on revenue from other sources.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said on CNBC that both sides of the central bank's dual mandate show signs of imbalance, with the labor market appearing more vulnerable.

The merger of equals, which received a chilly reception from investors when it was announced in July, closed faster than analysts had expected.

Visa and Mastercard logged increases in holiday spending, an industry group called for increased BNPL regulation in the U.S., and more in this week's global payments roundup.

Consumer appetite for mobile wallets is growing, challenging banks to innovate to stay ahead.

Bank merger and acquisition activity rebounded this year, led by Fifth Third's $10.9 billion proposed purchase of Comerica. Huntington, PNC and Columbia were involved in some of the other biggest deals announced in 2025.

Articles about stablecoins, scams, fintechs, premium credit cards and open banking were just some of the topics that struck a chord with American Banker subscribers in 2025.