Month: March 2026

Money stacked up on wooden tiles that spell out bank fees

To Fee or Not to Fee, That is the Real Question

In 2025, while 85 U.S. banks reported zero domestic service charges, six large banks continued to generate more than 55% of all bank service‑fee income. Industrywide, bank service‑fees are rising modestly, but remain below 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels. A list of…

Return on Assets (annualized net income divided by average total assets) tells us how well the banks are using their assets to generate profits.

Measuring Bank Performance: Beyond Net Income

The Federal Reserve held rates steady at 3.5%–3.75%, prompting a review of bank profitability beyond net interest margins. This analysis focuses on Return on Assets (ROA), highlighting the 50 banks with ROAs of 2.83% or higher at year‑end 2025. Profitability…

New Credit Union Star Ratings Now Available

Fourth‑quarter 2025 Bauer star ratings for all federally insured credit unions are now available. The share of recommended credit unions (5-Stars or 4-Stars) slipped from 86% to 84%, while the share rated 2‑Stars or below also declined—leaving more institutions in the…

U.S. Banks Shedding Employees

The U.S. banking sector experienced a net reduction of 4,395 full‑time equivalent (FTE) employees in 2025, with 31.5% of banks cutting staff while 49.9% expanded headcount. Regulatory actions drove the downsizing at some institutions, while other banks leveraged restructuring to…

All New Bank Star-Ratings Now Available

The U.S. banking industry closed 2025 with a strong full‑year performance—higher assets, earnings, margins, and deposits—yet the fourth quarter data revealed soft spots, including weaker income, rising problem‑loan categories, and a growing reliance on uninsured deposits. Community banks outperformed the…

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