Catherine Leffert

Washington, D.C., United States

Reporter at American Banker

reporter @amerbanker • past: @dallasbiznews @business @djnf @dailyorange • probably crosswording • she/her

Articles

Blueacorn founder convicted of PPP fraud conspiracy

3 days ago | today.westlaw.com | Catherine Leffert

One of the founders of Blueacorn — a fintech developed during the heyday of the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program — was found guilty by a federal jury of conspiring to fraudulently obtain tens of millions of dollars from the initiative.
PPP lender Blueacorn tied to fraud conspiracy conviction

3 days ago | americanbanker.com | Catherine Leffert

One of the founders of Blueacorn — a fintech developed during the heyday of the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program — was found guilty by a federal jury of conspiring to fraudulently obtain tens of millions of dollars from the initiative. The conviction is the latest in a trail of fraud left by PPP.
What bankers need to know ahead of the 2025 stress tests

4 days ago | nationalmortgagenews.com | Catherine Leffert |Kevin Wack

Stress-test reform is almost certainly coming. But the annual regulatory exams, which measure how well-prepared banks are for economic shocks, are still more of a black box than the industry would prefer. So there will be some uncertainty when the Federal Reserve releases this year's results on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. The stress-tested banks are expected to release their own updates, including any changes to their capital distribution plans, next week.
What bankers need to know ahead of the 2025 stress tests

5 days ago | americanbanker.com | Catherine Leffert |Kevin Wack

Stress-test reform is almost certainly coming. But the annual regulatory exams, which measure how well-prepared banks are for economic shocks, are still more of a black box than the industry would prefer. So there will be some uncertainty when the Federal Reserve releases this year's results on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. The stress-tested banks are expected to release their own updates, including any changes to their capital distribution plans, next week.
What bankers need to know ahead of the 2025 stress tests

5 days ago | today.westlaw.com | Catherine Leffert |Kevin Wack

Stress-test reform is almost certainly coming. But the annual regulatory exams, which measure how well-prepared banks are for economic shocks, are still more of a black box than the industry would prefer. So there will be some uncertainty when the...
Only some banks are jumping on the private credit bandwagon

2 weeks ago | americanbanker.com | Catherine Leffert

Bankers' opinions about the rapid expansion of the private-credit market are all over the map, as they weigh the opportunities the business provides against the competition it presents and the risks it poses. Some banking executives are celebrating, others are sounding the alarms, and still more are somewhere in between.
Some banks welcome private credit. Others see a time bomb

2 weeks ago | today.westlaw.com | Catherine Leffert

Bankers' opinions about the rapid expansion of the private-credit market are all over the map, as they weigh the opportunities the business provides against the competition it presents and the risks it poses.
Jamie Dimon bemoans 'grossly unfair' Wells Fargo asset cap

2 weeks ago | americanbanker.com | Catherine Leffert

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon offered wide-ranging, colorful commentary about the regulatory and economic environments on Tuesday, and spoke in especially blunt terms about the challenges Wells Fargo faced over the last seven years. Dimon said the asset cap imposed on Wells, which the Federal Reserve Board lifted earlier this month, was "grossly unfair" — a departure from the usual closed-mouth approach taken by CEOs when it comes to rival banks.
Jamie Dimon bemoans 'grossly unfair' Wells Fargo asset cap

2 weeks ago | today.westlaw.com | Catherine Leffert

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon offered wide-ranging, colorful commentary about the regulatory and economic environments on Tuesday, and spoke in especially blunt terms about the challenges Wells Fargo faced over the last seven years.
Banks want to merge. Here's why it's still not happening.

2 weeks ago | americanbanker.com | Catherine Leffert

Even as the regulatory tide turns in favor of bank mergers and acquisitions, the deal math remains a challenge, leading to a mismatch between banks' objectives for M&A and their investors' expectations. That imbalance is hindering a wave of consolidation that had been expected this year, according to experts. Its crux: Banks are generally looking to consolidate in reaction to problems, like the need to add low-cost deposits and aging CEOs at institutions that are looking to sell.