The Banker

4 days ago | thebanker.com | Sally Hickey

Since news broke in spring last year of BBVA’s plans to acquire rival Banco Sabadell, a question mark has hovered over the future of TSB, which Sabadell has owned since 2015. The UK-based challenger bank is one of many set up in the 2010s amid a regulatory push to open the market up to new entrants and increase the competitiveness of the sector. But nearly all of these mid-tier banks have exited the market, most through mergers or acquisitions by bigger rivals.

4 days ago | thebanker.com | Farah Khalique

Trade war-hit Brussels moves to simplify securitisationBrussels’ securitisation reforms promise relief for bank, but may fall short of igniting broader market growth © FTWith the US banging its “Make America Great Again” drum and hurling tariffs at the EU, how should the bloc respond? It will take more than a few counter-tariffs on bourbon and bikes to swerve the full economic impact.

6 days ago | thebanker.com | Michael Klimes

The European Commission has published long awaited proposals to boost the role banks play in the securitisations market to meet the EU’s critical funding needs. The measures are meant to enable banks to free up capital held on their balance sheets and thereby encourage greater financing and investment across the EU.

1 week ago | thebanker.com | Sally Hickey

Banco Sabadell has confirmed it has received preliminary offers for TSB, as it continues to fight off a hostile bid by rival BBVA. In a statement last night, Sabadell confirmed a report in the Financial Times that it has received preliminary, nonbinding expressions of interest for the acquisition of TSB, the UK challenger bank it has owned since 2015.

1 week ago | thebanker.com | Shanny Basar

Standard Chartered issued its inaugural social bond in March 2025, which it dubbed the “Viñals social bond”. The €1bn issue was named after former group chair José Viñals, who retired from the board after a nine-year term, and was a tribute to his legacy both at Standard Chartered and across many initiatives outside the organisation. The lender has previously issued three sustainability bonds.