BLOOMBERG Coupang Inc, the South Korean e-commerce giant backed by SoftBank Group Corp, reported lower sales than analysts estimated, marring another profitable quarter for the company. Revenue gained 4.9% to $5.33 billion in the October-December period, the US-listed company said in a statement. That compared with an average estimate of $5.45 billion. Coupang’s active customers grew just 1% to 18.1 …

BLOOMBERG The Treasury Department will lead a new senior-level working group that will soon start regular talks on the possible launch of a digital dollar. The group will include “leaders” from the Treasury, Federal Reserve, National Security Council and other agencies, Nellie Liang, Treasury undersecretary for domestic finance, said. In the coming months the group “will begin to meet regularly …

BLOOMBERG Metro Bank Plc plans to open 11 new branches in the north of England from next year in a bid to grow its customer base, while keeping the costs “significantly” lower than its previous outlets. The new branches, which Metro calls “stores,” will have less surplus floor space and more cost-effective fixtures and fittings but still retain the “distinctive …