US Banking Industry in Turmoil: A Comprehensive Look at the ‘Great Consolidation’ and Largest Bank Failures of 2023

2023 has been a rollercoaster ride for the U.S. banking industry. The collapse of three major banks has sent shockwaves through the financial world, with their combined assets surpassing the top 25 banks that crumbled in 2008. The following is a closer look at what has triggered a ‘great consolidation’ in the banking sector, a … Read more

Russian Banks Set for Record Profits This Year, Central Bank, Rating Agency Say

Bank of Russia raised its forecast for the profits of Russian banks in 2023, expecting results that may break the 2021 record. This year’s high numbers are coming after 2022 became the worst annual period in seven years for the sanctioned Russian banking sector in terms of financial outcome. Banks in Russian Federation Headed for … Read more

Analysts Warn of More Bank Failures, Possible Recession and Global Repercussions Caused by First Republic Bank Collapse

The recent takeover of First Republic Bank, the fourth U.S. bank to fail this year, has awakened concerns about the possible repercussions this new failure might have on U.S. and international economies. While United States President Joe Biden has assured the public that the banking system remains safe, analysts are warning that this might not … Read more

India, Russia Mull Payment System Integration in Face of US Sanctions

The governments of India and Russia are considering integrating part of their payment systems, in order to counter the possible future effect of US sanctions on the capital flows of each country. The deal would include the integration of India’s Rupay card system and its Russian counterpart, Mir Cards, to allow seamless payments between the … Read more

China Ramped Up Gold Production During Q1 Amidst Steady Demand From Central Banks

Gold companies operating in China ramped up their production levels during the first quarter of 2023. According to industry reports, the Chinese gold industry managed to recover its extraction levels, reaching numbers it saw before the Covid pandemic, with the country engaging in a record streak of purchasing gold during the last five months. China … Read more

BRICS to Promote National Currencies Before Issuing Common One

The BRICS bloc is now focused on expanding the use of the currencies of its members, according to the representative of one of them. The establishment of a single currency for the group is not an immediate task at this point in time, the diplomat indicated in an interview. Wider Use of National Fiats of … Read more

‘Evil Crypto’ Can Be Used in Foreign Trade, Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister Says

Cryptocurrency may be bad for investors but it can be useful in international settlements, according to a top government official in Moscow. Russian authorities intend to set up a special committee that would issue permits to operators employing crypto in foreign trade transactions, he indicated. Russia Plans to ‘Experiment’ With Cross-Border Crypto Payments Amid Sanctions … Read more

Syria Urges BRICS to Lead in Ditching Dollar, Talks Yuan Adoption With China

BRICS nations can lead efforts to abandon the U.S. dollar in international settlements, according to President Bashar Assad of Syria. At a meeting with China’s top diplomat for the region, the leader of the war-torn Middle Eastern country called for using the Chinese yuan for cross-border trade. Economic Clash With West Requires Discarding Dollar, BRICS … Read more

No Rate Hikes in Russia, Central Bank Keeps Interest Rate Level Again

Bank of Russia decided to maintain the interest rate at 7.5% amid moderate inflation, estimated at 2.5% on an annual basis in April, although this may change later this year. The monetary authority improved its forecast for the Russian economy and now expects growth entirely in positive figures, up to 2.0% for 2023. Bank of … Read more

Almost 50 Russian Banks Accept Yuan Deposits Amid Low Demand for Dollar Accounts

A growing number of banking institutions in Russia are offering customers the option to save in Chinese yuan. The trend coincides with declining demand for U.S. dollar and euro deposits amid currency restrictions that triggered a flight of funds to bank accounts abroad. Demand for Dollar, Euro Accounts Expected to Drop Further, Requests for Yuan … Read more

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