Blog — 20 Jul, 2021
Insight Weekly: Banks' efficiency push; vacuuming carbon; Big Pharma diversity goals
Exclusive features and news analysis of key sectors and markets. Subscribe on LinkedIn >
In this edition, we take a closer look at changes that might impact the U.S. banking and financial technology landscape. The digital revolution has created a race to develop best-in-class technology that can win clients, reduce overhead costs and defend traditional banks against a multitude of fintech start-ups. As U.S. banks continue to adapt to the increasingly digital environment, headcount may drop dramatically and the importance of efficiency as a key metric of banking performance could rise. Online lenders, meanwhile, have used partnerships with federally chartered banks to avoid the hassle of obtaining individual state licenses. But President Joe Biden's recent repeal of the "true lender" federal banking rule, which provided safe harbor to such fintechs, gives state regulators more leverage to scrutinize partnerships in the name of consumer protection.
What may have sounded like science fiction a few years ago — deploying giant machines that draw in air and use chemicals to separate carbon dioxide from ambient air — is now getting closer to reality. Experts say direct air capture is needed to combat climate change, but a single plant that collects 1 million tons of carbon annually needs 300 MW of uninterrupted power. Can the technology overcome exorbitant energy costs?
Biopharmaceutical companies are setting themselves increasingly ambitious goals to ensure greater representation for women and minority communities, analyzing employee data to produce a more diverse pipeline of talent. The push for greater diversity reflects a cross-sector trend — 45% of new board seats at Russell 3000 companies were filled by women in 2019, compared to just 12% in 2008.
Bank Outlook in Focus
Repeal of fintech 'true lender' rule could embolden state banking regulators
Without an explicit federal rule, progressive states such as Illinois, New York and California are better positioned to enforce their local lending laws and inspect bank-fintech partnerships through which loans are disbursed, according to banking industry lawyers.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Digital revolution forces efficiency push, job cuts at US banks
The rise of digital banking, a long-running trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, could trigger thousands of layoffs at U.S. banks. According to one estimate, banks could cut up to 10% of their entire workforce in the next decade.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Deep Dives
In-depth features looking at the impact of major news developments in key industries.
Financials
Banks leveraging PPP platforms to generate small-business loans
Following the close of the Paycheck Protection Program, some U.S. banks are finding lending growth opportunities in other Small Business Administration loans.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Trade credit arrears may impact European firms' COVID-19 bank loan repayments
More companies across Europe are facing delayed payments for invoices, which puts their ability to repay loans at risk, according to market participants.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
India bank privatization plan fraught with challenges, may face delays
Selling public sector banks will not be easy due to their weak financial performance and low equity valuations, according to S&P Global Ratings analyst Nikita Anand.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
ESG
Global green bond sales may set record in 2021 on Europe's sustainability push
Europe issued $53.37 billion of green bonds for the April-to-June period, up 30% from the levels in the same period of the previous year, according to data from Climate Bonds Initiative, a nonprofit U.K. green bond tracker.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Energy and Utilities
Vacuuming carbon from the sky no joke for rapidly warming world
The prospect of sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere is gaining traction as policymakers and fossil-heavy companies ponder new ways to tackle climate change without upending the world economy.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Chesapeake Utilities, a small utility operator, has big renewable gas plans
Chesapeake Utilities executives discussed how they plan to scale up their early forays into renewable natural gas and green hydrogen.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Proposed US 'grid authority' needs bold mission, new paper argues
A new "grid authority" included in a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure framework should be tasked with coordinating the buildout of a U.S. "macrogrid," according to a new policy blueprint.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Credit and Markets
Growth stocks rally as Treasury yields fall amid waning economic confidence
The benchmark U.S. Treasury 10-year yield fell to the lowest point since February as growth stocks continue to outpace value.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Healthcare
Big Pharma sets ambitious diversity goals to ensure 'pipeline' of talent
Biopharmaceutical companies are setting themselves increasingly ambitious goals to ensure greater representation for women and minorities, using internal data to produce a more diverse pipeline of talent.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
Redbox's SPAC-funded evolution from DVD rentals to digital media
As it prepares to go public via a reverse-merger with a special purpose acquisition company, Redbox is planning to bolster its DVD rental business with a combination of streaming, partnerships and a growing third-party kiosk maintenance business.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Metals and Mining
Market value of metals, mining companies falls 6.9% in June
The market capitalization across the metals and mining companies analyzed by S&P Global Market Intelligence is still up by a median of 81.1% year over year as of the end of the month.
Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence
The Week in M&A
F.N.B. pays up for in-market deal but is focused on incremental growth
Horace Mann may consider more M&A after 'complementary' Madison National deal
Universal SPAC deal among leaders in June media, telecom M&A
The Big Number
Trending
—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence and follow @KarinRives on Twitter
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