Banking

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) reported a loss of 142.4 billion francs ($143 billion) for the first nine months as turmoil in global currency markets took a toll on the value of its foreign-exchange portfolio. The central bank’s foreign-currency positions resulted in a loss of 141 billion francs, and it also saw a valuation loss on its gold holdings and ...

US financial institutions reported nearly $1.2 billion on likely ransomware-related payments last year, most commonly in response to breaches originating with Russian criminal groups, according to the Treasury Department. The payments more than doubled from 2020, underscoring the pernicious damage that ransomware continues to wreak on the private sector. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, said its analysis “indicates ...

The naira slumped to a record low against the dollar on the widely used illegal market as Nigerians rushed to buy greenbacks a week after the central bank said it would redesign higher-value notes. Currency traders in the unauthorised parallel market offered as much as 830 naira per dollar in Lagos, said Umar Salisu, a bureau de change operator who ...

Barclays Plc has asked UK courts to shutter nearly 100 businesses in recent months as it seeks to recover money loaned under a government Covid-19 program that’s been blighted by fraud. The bank has sought winding-up petitions, which liquidate companies to pay debts, against at least 97 businesses since September, according to official records. The requests relate to loans of ...

Credit Suisse Group AG’s long-term rating was downgraded by S&P Global Ratings to just one level above junk status, underscoring the bank’s challenges after it laid out a radical restructuring plan last week. The Swiss bank’s long-term rating was cut to BBB- from BBB, with a stable outlook. That’s just one notch above the BB “speculative grade.” The US ratings ...

American Express Co. is joining the small but growing number of companies choosing to post salary ranges with job listings across the US, even where doing so isn’t required by law. The credit-card giant has pay included in postings for positions in New York City, ahead of a requirement that goes into effect for all companies with four or more ...

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said the central bank’s plan to replace high-value currency notes will help the economy deal with currency counterfeiting, excess cash in circulation and address inflation, which climbed to a 17-year high in September. The central bank has Buhari’s support to launch the new currency designs and he “is convinced that the nation will gain a lot ...

Standard Bank Group Ltd. is open to acquisitions in Nigeria and Kenya as Africa’s biggest lender by assets expands its presence in key markets on the continent. The lender is also keen to bolster its businesses in Ethiopia — where it has a representative office — and its home-market South Africa, Standard Bank Chief Executive Officer Sim Tshabalala said. In ...

RHB Bank Bhd. plans to introduce its digital banking platform as early as the second half of next year, its top executive said, as Malaysia’s fifth biggest lender looks to hold back a tide of fintech startups. The bank and its partner Boost, an arm of communications giant Axiata Group Bhd., could invest as much as 1 billion ringgit ($212 ...

Japan spent a record 6.3 trillion yen ($42.4 billion) in October to counter the yen’s sharp slide against the dollar, as it tried to limit speculative moves adding to pressure on the currency. The finance ministry disclosed on Monday data for the period between September 29 to October 27. Central bank figures and market estimates of money flows with the ...