Credit Suisse, a banking giant, announced on Monday that they had borrowed $54 billion from Switzerland's central bank in an effort to ease mounting fears of a global banking crisis. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Koerner both released statements reassuring the public that the banking system remains sound and that depositors' savings remain safe.
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The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has sent shockwaves through the financial world, with Senate Republicans denying the bank deregulation bill they passed in 2018 had anything to do with it. The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hikes have been blamed for the bank run, and the Senate Banking Committee has written a bill that could shape the federal response. Experts suggest the whole debacle could have been avoided if the regulators had stepped in, but the exact cause of the bank’s collapse remains unclear.
Customers have been transferring their funds to larger banks in the wake of two high-profile bank failures, with Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup seeing significant increases in deposits. President Biden has reassured consumers that the banking system is safe, but experts recommend diversifying funds by maintaining multiple accounts across FDIC-insured banks to protect them.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Maxine Waters have both rid themselves of campaign contributions related to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, which has raised questions about the role of Congress in the financial crisis. The 2018 law intended to provide relief to smaller banks was interpreted generously by the Federal Reserve, and Congress may take further action to ensure banks are held to a higher standard of oversight and safety.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) and FINMA have jointly announced that Credit Suisse (CS) has met the necessary capital and liquidity requirements. This announcement comes after investors dumped shares in the Swiss bank due to a statement from its biggest backer, Saudi National Bank. The SNB and FINMA have also said that they are ready to provide financial support to Credit Suisse if needed, in order to restore confidence in the banking sector.
Exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui has been arrested by federal authorities in New York on charges of fraud and money laundering. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York alleges that Guo and an associate created a series of fraudulent businesses worth $1 billion, and the FBI is currently executing a search warrant at Guo's residence. This case is part of the U.S. government's efforts to combat financial crimes, particularly those committed by Chinese nationals.
T-Mobile has announced the acquisition of budget wireless provider Mint Mobile, which is backed by actor Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds will remain in his creative role on behalf of Mint, and the acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2021. The purchase is part of T-Mobile's plan to expand its customer base and offer more competitive prices.
Credit Suisse's stock dropped to a record low after its largest shareholder, Saudi National Bank, announced it would not be increasing its investments in the company. This news caused a sell-off in the markets, with Credit Suisse's stock dropping by 25%, and Bank of America's stock trading about 3% lower. Saudi National Bank representatives cited regulatory concerns as the reason for their decision, and investors are now watching to see how the markets will react in the coming days.