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Bad Credit Lending in 2026: How Alternative Data and Fintech Are Opening New Doors
Traditional banks still restrict borrowers with low credit scores, but fintech lenders and alternative underwriting are expanding access to personal loans in 2026, with higher costs and a strong focus on credit repair.
Loan Origination Software Market Set to Surpass $16 Billion by 2034 as Cloud and AI Drive Transformation
The global loan origination software market is set to more than double by 2034, reaching $16.2 billion as cloud deployment, AI-native underwriting, and SME adoption accelerate industry transformation.
Oil Shock and Inflation Fears Push Fed to Policy Crossroads as Markets Brace for Rate Decision
Brent crude has crossed $100 per barrel as US-Iran tensions tighten Strait of Hormuz flows, pushing the Federal Reserve toward a difficult rate decision amid stagflation fears.
S&P Upgrades Kazakhstan Banking Sector Assessment as Regulatory Reforms Take Hold
S&P Global Ratings has upgraded Kazakhstan's banking industry risk assessment for the first time in years, citing enhanced regulatory oversight including systematic asset-quality reviews and SREP implementation. The BICRA score improved to 6 from 7, while Bank CenterCredit was upgraded to BB+ and major institutions including Halyk Bank and Freedom Holding received positive outlooks. The upgrade comes amid slowing credit growth and a structural shift toward SME lending.
FinTech Funding Surges to $1.36 Billion in Early September as WealthTech Giants Lead Charge
FinTech funding surged to $1.36 billion in the first week of September 2026 across 12 deals, led by FNZ's $450 million institutional raise and Ajaib's record $270 million Series C. The rebound signals renewed investor confidence in WealthTech and digital investing platforms, with U.S. firms dominating deal count and Q2 2026 funding reaching $16.3 billion — a 47% quarter-over-quarter surge.
Wealthsimple Demands Clear Timeline for Open Banking as $68M in Exit Fees Burden Young Canadians
Wealthsimple calls on federal government to publish detailed timeline for open banking implementation, revealing clients have paid $68M in exit fees since 2025 ban announcement and nearly 9M Canadians still rely on insecure screen scraping.
European Banking Divergence: Eurobank's Resilience Contrasts With BoE's Oil-Driven Policy Dilemma
Citigroup lifts Eurobank estimates as Greek bank shows resilient NII and fee momentum, while Bank of England faces oil-driven inflation dilemma ahead of July 31 rate decision. New research doubles estimated QT impact on gilt yields.