Financial Services

Block said its Square platform has been chosen as the unified commerce provider for Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market. Square will also power commerce operations for Los Angeles venues Ètra and Café Telegrama, which run multiple concepts under one roof. The new merchants are adopting Square's integrated payments and operations tools to manage both in person and digital customer activity. The wins point to Block leaning further into complex, multi concept venues rather than only small single store sellers, supported by over 200 ISO partners and 130 Square features shipped in early 2026. The next checkpoint is how Block reports Square gross profit and payment volume from larger and multi concept sellers in upcoming quarterly updates through 2027.

Visa closed at $385.45, up 2.76% and ahead of the S&P 500's 0.6% gain, with the Dow up 0.83% and the Nasdaq up 0.64%. The payments processor's shares have risen 2.15% over the past month, beating the Business Services sector's 2.9% decline and trailing the S&P 500's 1.34% gain. Visa is expected to report quarterly EPS of $3.43, up 15.1% from a year earlier, on revenue of $12.07 billion, up 12.59%, when it releases results on October 27, 2026. For the full fiscal year, consensus estimates project earnings of $13.22 per share and revenue of $45.83 billion, representing increases of 15.26% and 14.58%, respectively. Visa carries a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and trades at a forward P/E of 25.04, a premium to its industry average of 14.68.

Block's stock could be 24% undervalued, according to one of the top community narratives on the payments company, as its Excess Returns model points to an intrinsic worth meaningfully above the current share price of $75.23. The model assumes an average Return on Equity of 12.23% against a cost of equity of $3.39 per share, producing an estimated Excess Return of $2.09 per share based on a Stable EPS of $5.48 and a Stable Book Value of $44.84 per share, with Book Value today set at $36.70 per share. The valuation hinges on whether Block's recent capital outlays, including the "Bitcoin Does" campaign and discounting on Square point of sale hardware, can sustain that level of excess return through customer acquisition and higher product usage. The stock's five-year share price decline of 69.6% contrasts with a 127.3x P/E, sharpening the debate over whether the current price is adequately backed by returns on invested capital. Simply Wall St notes that recent insider selling has also been flagged for review.

Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach said the clearest use case for stablecoins today is in cross-border payments, telling Bloomberg TV that such transfers take days and carry unclear fees. "If you make a cross-border payment, it takes days; the fees are unclear. From a working capital perspective for a company, if you could move the money instantly, it would be so much better," Miebach reportedly said. Mastercard, alongside Visa, Stripe and other partners, launched the Open USD stablecoin on Solana last month. Miebach said the company was keen to create a stablecoin focused particularly on moving money rather than on investment purposes.

Japan Post announced on the 9th that it will raise international mail rates on February 1 next year. Due to sharply higher delivery costs amid inflation and the weak yen, rates will increase by an average of about 37%. This will be the first revision of international mail rates since October 2023. International Express Mail Service will rise by an average of about 37%, parcels by 39%, and ordinary mail such as postcards by 35%. For EMS, the pricing structure for items weighing 6 kilograms or less will change, with the weight increments revised from 100 to 500 grams to 1 kilogram. Sending a 5.5-kilogram item from Japan to the United States will cost 21,400 yen, up from the current 16,300 yen. The company said the move is aimed at maintaining the stable provision of international mail services. Domestically as well, the cash-registered-mail envelopes and large cash envelopes will rise from 21 yen to 30 yen on April 1 next year.

Japan Post announced on the 9th that it will raise international mail rates by an average of about 37% on February 1 next year. The move comes as delivery costs have risen sharply due to inflation and the weak yen, and marks the first revision of international mail rates since October 2023. The breakdown shows an average increase of about 37% for Express Mail Service, 39% for parcels, and 35% for ordinary mail such as postcards. For EMS, the pricing structure for items weighing 6 kilograms or less will change, with weight increments revised from 100 to 500 grams to 1 kilogram. Sending a 5.5-kilogram item from Japan to the United States will rise from the current 16,300 yen to 21,400 yen. The company said the change is intended to maintain the stable provision of international mail services. Domestically, the cash-registered mail envelopes, the standard cash envelope and the large cash envelope, will rise from 21 yen to 30 yen on April 1 next year.

SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son is aiming to raise up to $100 billion, roughly 16 trillion yen, from investors in the Middle East's Gulf states to further expand investment in artificial intelligence, it has emerged. The Financial Times reported the news on the 9th, citing people familiar with the matter. Son is said to have held talks over the past few weeks with influential figures in Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates about the possibility of fundraising. Part of the funds raised would be used to establish a corporate buyout fund, and the plan is to use artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies when improving the operations of acquired companies.

SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son is aiming to raise up to $100 billion, roughly 16 trillion yen, from investors in the Middle East's Gulf states as he seeks to further expand investment in artificial intelligence, it has emerged. The Financial Times reported the news on the 9th, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the newspaper, Son has held talks over the past few weeks with influential figures in Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates about the possibility of raising funds. He plans to use part of the funds to establish a corporate buyout fund and to employ artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies in improving the operations of the companies it acquires.

Oppenheimer upgraded Global Payments to Outperform from Perform, putting valuation and derisked 2026 earnings back in focus for investors. The stock closed at $82.77, well below the most followed narrative fair value of $105, even after a 2.08% one-day gain and a 3.09% rise over the past week, though it remains down 7.44% over 30 days. Management reaffirmed plans for $600 million of cost and $200 million of revenue synergies on a run rate basis by the end of 2028 through the Worldpay acquisition and operational transformation program. Shares trade at about 44.3x earnings against a fair ratio of 30.1x, the US Diversified Financial industry at 16.8x, and peers at 12.7x. The story could be knocked off course if Worldpay integration stumbles or prolonged travel weakness keeps revenue growth below expectations.

SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to raise as much as $100 billion from Gulf investors to finance an ambitious artificial intelligence investment strategy, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the discussions. Son has held talks in recent weeks with senior figures, including in the United Arab Emirates, about the potential fundraising, though the FT said there is no guarantee the discussions will lead to a deal. The Japanese billionaire plans to use the money to establish a fund that would acquire companies and improve their operations using AI and other advanced technologies, with Roze, SoftBank's robotics and physical AI business, expected to play a key role in the strategy. The fundraising would expand Son's exposure to AI following SoftBank's $65 billion investment in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, amid concerns about the scale of its commitments and a delay to OpenAI's long-anticipated initial public offering. SoftBank has increasingly relied on borrowing to finance its AI ambitions, completing a record junk bond offering of more than $11 billion last month, with yields reaching 9.75%.

SBI Holdings, Money Forward and US-based Mesh Connect announced on October 7 that they have reached a basic agreement to establish a joint venture in Japan. The new company aims to develop services that simplify the purchase, transfer and settlement of crypto assets, as well as a payment infrastructure utilizing blockchain. Subject to the conclusion of a final contract and dealings with relevant authorities, the company aims to be established during 2026, with Japan as its main business target and capital of 100 million yen. The ownership ratio is planned to be 60 percent for Mesh, 26 percent for the SBI Group and 14 percent for Money Forward. Mesh provides a payment infrastructure that connects more than 300 crypto asset exchanges and wallets through APIs, and the joint venture will combine Mesh's connectivity technology with the SBI Group's financial services infrastructure and regulatory expertise.

Masayoshi Son, chief executive of SoftBank Group, is aiming to raise up to $100 billion from investors in Gulf countries, the Financial Times reported on the 9th, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the FT, Son has held talks in recent weeks with powerful figures in the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, about a possible fundraising. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. SoftBank Group did not respond to a request for comment.

Oppenheimer upgraded Global Payments to Outperform from Perform, citing derisked 2026 earnings, potential 2027 free cash flow acceleration, and ongoing operating leverage supported by stable consumer spending and traction in its Genius platform. The broker also pointed to potential upside from Worldpay-related synergies, framing integration progress and efficiency gains across the portfolio as increasingly central to the Global Payments story. The upgrade leans into the view that Global Payments can turn the Worldpay acquisition, Genius rollout and AI tools into steadier earnings and stronger free cash flow, with the biggest risk remaining that large-scale M&A and restructuring underdeliver on expected synergies. Recent moves including the launch of the AI-first Genius handheld POS and Global Payments winning CKE Restaurants as an exclusive US in-store payments customer show Genius becoming a broader ecosystem rather than just a terminal. Global Payments' narrative projects $13.9 billion revenue and $2.1 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 10.8% yearly revenue growth and about a $1.6 billion earnings increase from $494.2 million today, while some of the most optimistic analysts already assumed revenue of about US$14.8 billion and earnings of about US$4.4 billion by 2029.

Bohai Leasing announced that AALL, a wholly owned subsidiary of its controlling subsidiary Avolon, has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 140 B737 MAX series aircraft. Based on Boeing's published list prices, the total value of the aircraft in this purchase does not exceed 26.953 billion US dollars. The list prices include airframe prices, optional equipment prices, and engine prices, and the company's actual purchase price will receive a certain discount from the list prices. This transaction does not constitute a related-party transaction and still needs to be submitted to the shareholders' meeting for approval. Delivery is expected to be completed by the end of 2036.

Bohai Leasing announced after market close on October 9 that subsidiaries of its controlled subsidiary Avolon Holdings Limited signed aircraft purchase agreements with Boeing and Airbus on the same day, planning to purchase a combined 250 aircraft and additionally obtaining purchase options for 100 new-generation technology aircraft. Among them, Avolon's wholly owned subsidiary Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited signed a purchase agreement with Boeing to acquire 140 B737 MAX series aircraft, with a total value not exceeding 26.953 billion US dollars based on Boeing list prices, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2036. On the same day, a subsidiary of Avolon signed a contract amendment agreement with Airbus to acquire 110 new-generation technology aircraft, including 75 A320NEO series aircraft and 35 A330NEO series aircraft, and obtained purchase options for 100 new-generation technology aircraft. Based on Airbus list prices, if all purchase options are exercised, the total value of 150 A320NEO series aircraft will not exceed 18.707 billion US dollars, and the total value of 60 A330NEO series aircraft will not exceed 17.784 billion US dollars, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2035. As of the end of the second quarter of 2026, Avolon's total available liquidity was approximately 12 billion US dollars. As of the end of the third quarter of 2026, Avolon's fleet size was 1,092 aircraft, including 561 owned aircraft, 32 managed aircraft, and 499 aircraft on order, serving 138 airline customers in 62 countries worldwide. The proposal has been approved by the company's seventh extraordinary board meeting of 2026 and still needs to be submitted to the shareholders' meeting for approval by special resolution.

Bohai Leasing announced on the evening of October 9 that its subsidiary Avolon has signed agreements with Airbus and Boeing to purchase 250 aircraft, including 75 A320NEO family aircraft, 35 A330NEO family aircraft, and 140 B737 MAX family aircraft, while also obtaining purchase options for 100 Airbus aircraft covering the A320NEO and A330NEO. Airbus aircraft will be delivered progressively by the end of 2035, and Boeing aircraft by the end of 2036. After this purchase, Avolon's ordered aircraft will increase to 749, ranking first in the industry by order size. Third-quarter operating information disclosed on the same day shows that as of the end of the third quarter of 2026, Avolon's fleet size was 1,092 aircraft, including 561 owned aircraft, 32 managed aircraft, and 499 ordered aircraft, excluding this purchase, serving 138 airline customers in 62 countries worldwide. In the first half of 2026, the company's overall fleet utilization rate was approximately 100 percent, achieving aircraft leasing revenue of about 10.7 billion yuan, up 6.62 percent year on year, with a fleet weighted average lease rate of 10.74 percent, up 23 basis points from the end of 2025.

Bohai Leasing announced that AALL, a wholly owned subsidiary of its controlling subsidiary Avolon, has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 140 B737 MAX series aircraft. Based on Boeing's published list prices, the total value of the aircraft in this purchase does not exceed 26.953 billion US dollars. The list prices include airframe prices, optional equipment prices, and engine prices. The company's actual purchase price will receive a certain discount from the list prices. This transaction does not constitute a related-party transaction and still requires approval from the shareholders' meeting. Delivery is expected to be completed by the end of 2036.

Bohai Leasing announced on October 9 that Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of its controlling subsidiary Avolon Holdings Limited, signed a Purchase Agreement and related agreements with Boeing, under which it plans to purchase 140 B737MAX series aircraft from Boeing. Based on Boeing's published list prices, the total value of the aircraft in this purchase does not exceed 26.953 billion US dollars. An announcement on the same day showed that AALL, CIT Aerospace LLC, and CIT Aerospace International Unlimited Company signed Aircraft Purchase Agreement Amendment Agreements and related agreements with Airbus respectively, planning to purchase 110 new-generation technology aircraft from Airbus, including 75 A320NEO series aircraft and 35 A330NEO series aircraft, while also obtaining purchase options for 100 new-generation technology aircraft, including 75 A320NEO series aircraft and 25 A330NEO series aircraft. As of the third quarter of 2026, Avolon's fleet size was 1,092 aircraft, including 561 owned aircraft, 32 managed aircraft, and 499 aircraft on order, serving 138 airline customers in 62 countries worldwide.

Bohai Leasing announced on the evening of October 9 that its subsidiary Avolon has signed agreements with Airbus and Boeing to purchase 250 aircraft, including 75 A320NEO family aircraft, 35 A330NEO family aircraft, and 140 B737 MAX family aircraft, while also obtaining purchase options for 100 Airbus aircraft covering the A320NEO and A330NEO. Airbus aircraft will be delivered progressively by the end of 2035, and Boeing aircraft will be delivered progressively by the end of 2036. After this purchase, Avolon's ordered aircraft will increase to 749, ranking first in the industry by order size. Third-quarter operating information disclosed on the same day shows that as of the end of the third quarter of 2026, Avolon's fleet size was 1,092 aircraft, including 561 owned aircraft, 32 managed aircraft, and 499 ordered aircraft, excluding this purchase, serving 138 airline customers in 62 countries worldwide, with 89 percent of ordered aircraft scheduled for delivery in the next 24 months already placed under lease. Since 2026, Avolon has completed the sale of 78 aircraft, and as of the end of the third quarter, 112 aircraft have been agreed for sale but not yet delivered.

Bohai Leasing disclosed two major commercial orders on the evening of October 9. Its controlling subsidiary Avolon, through Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, plans to purchase multiple aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, with total order value not exceeding RMB 424.58 billion. Among them, AALL plans to purchase 140 B737 MAX series aircraft from Boeing, with a total value not exceeding USD 26.953 billion based on Boeing's published list prices, and Boeing will complete deliveries gradually by the end of 2036. On the same day, AALL, CIT Aerospace LLC, and CIT Aerospace International Unlimited Company signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 110 new-generation technology aircraft, including 75 A320NEO series and 35 A330NEO series aircraft, while also obtaining purchase options for 100 additional new-generation technology aircraft. If all purchase options are exercised, the total value of Airbus-related orders will not exceed USD 36.491 billion, with deliveries expected to be completed gradually by the end of 2035. Based on the latest exchange rate of USD 1 to RMB 6.6922, the total value of the above orders does not exceed RMB 424.58 billion. The funds for this purchase come from Avolon's own funds, self-raised funds, and future operating cash flow. As of the end of the second quarter of 2026, Avolon's total available liquidity was approximately USD 12 billion. Bohai Leasing stated that this transaction is conducive to enhancing the company's aircraft order backlog, bargaining power, and competitiveness in the global aircraft leasing market. As of the end of the third quarter of 2026, Avolon's fleet size was 1,092 aircraft, including 561 owned aircraft, 32 managed aircraft, and 499 aircraft on order, excluding the quantity from this order.

Berkshire Hathaway posted the strongest Q2 among the 11 diversified financial services stocks tracked, reporting revenues of $117.9 billion, up 19.2% year on year and 15.7% above analysts' expectations, the largest estimate beat in the peer group. The Warren Buffett-led holding company also beat analysts' EPS estimates, though its stock is down 2.6% since reporting and trades at $759,608. Across the group, revenues beat consensus by 2.6% and next quarter's revenue guidance came in line, while share prices have collectively fallen 4.7% since the latest results. Paymentus reported revenues of $360.7 million, up 28.8% year on year and 4.3% above expectations, scoring the group's highest guidance raise and fastest revenue growth, but its stock is down 9.3% at $31.33. Western Union was the weakest performer, with revenues of $1.01 billion, down 1.3% year on year and 0.9% short of expectations, alongside a significant EBITDA miss and full-year EPS guidance well below analysts' expectations; its stock is down 20.3% at $6.13. Donnelley Financial Solutions reported revenues of $224.2 million, up 2.8% and 1.3% above expectations, but had the weakest guidance update, while Payoneer posted revenues of $274.3 million, up 5.2% and 1.2% above expectations, with EPS in line and its stock flat at $7.15.

Western Union has renewed its partnership with Publix Super Markets, extending a relationship that spans more than two decades and keeps domestic and international money transfers, bill payments and money orders available at participating Publix stores across the southeastern United States. The agreement also gives Western Union a chance to reach additional customers as Publix expands into new markets including Kentucky; Publix currently operates 1,432 stores across eight states and employs more than 260,000 people, while Western Union's network covers over 200 countries and territories and supports 130 currencies. The renewal comes as Western Union's North American money transfer revenues declined 9% in second-quarter 2026 and transactions fell 5%, and it should help the company protect its retail distribution network and defend market share without building standalone branches. Western Union also works with major retailers including Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, Walgreens, H-E-B and Giant Eagle, and management said on its second-quarter earnings call that it had renewed major retail contracts despite increased competition, with terms broadly similar to previous agreements. Separately, Western Union's pending $500 million purchase of Intermex would strengthen its U.S. retail network and its presence in Latin American remittance corridors, with management targeting $30 million in annual cost savings within two years of closing, though the deal still needs California regulatory approval and a renewed federal antitrust waiting period.

Synchrony Financial reported second-quarter revenues of $3.72 billion, up 1.9% year on year, falling short of analysts' expectations by 0.7% even as it beat EPS and efficiency ratio estimates. The consumer credit card lender, which powers over 73 million active accounts through partnerships with Amazon, PayPal, and Lowe's, delivered the slowest revenue growth among the 6 credit card stocks tracked, and its shares are down 2% since reporting, trading at $71.93. Bread Financial posted the group's biggest analyst estimate beat, with revenues of $993 million, up 6.9% year on year and 3.5% above expectations, though its stock is down 4.2% at $97.63. American Express turned in the weakest performance against estimates, with revenues of $18.55 billion, up 12.8% year on year but 5.8% short of consensus, sending shares down 10.7% to $304.51. Mastercard reported revenues of $9.28 billion, up 14.1% and 2.2% above expectations, with its stock up 1.2% at $570.12, while Capital One delivered the group's fastest revenue growth at $15.83 billion, up 25.8% and in line with estimates, though its shares are down 5% at $195.91. As a group, the 6 credit card stocks reported revenues in line with consensus, but share prices have collectively declined 3.2% since the latest earnings results.

Circle Internet Group announced on October 7 that it has partnered with Tereina, a financial services company backed by SAP. The two will integrate the US dollar-pegged stablecoin USDC and the euro-pegged EURC into the business systems companies use every day. The initial focus is SAP's cloud-based ERP, where the stablecoins will be usable through the payment service SAP Pay. For eligible US dollar-denominated payments, USDC will be the preferred option, while EURC will be offered for euro-denominated transactions. Circle cited payments to overseas suppliers, fund transfers between group companies, and settlement of accounts receivable and payable as use cases, saying blockchain-based payments that run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year can be used alongside existing bank payments. The announcement said commercial transactions involving SAP's customer companies account for 84% of the global total. However, unless otherwise specified, SAP Pay covers transactions by customer companies and affiliates located in the United States or the EU, and using USDC also requires an eligible account with Circle Mint, Circle's corporate service. Over the coming months, the two companies plan to work with customers to verify the benefits of adoption and to hold training sessions for finance and payment staff.

Zacks Investment Research featured Chime Financial, Marqeta and Kronos Worldwide in its Analyst Blog as three stocks with projected third-quarter earnings growth of 100% or more. Chime Financial raised its third-quarter 2026 revenue guidance to $705 million, implying roughly 30% year-over-year growth, and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $117-$120 million, while announcing a $590 million agreement to acquire Stride Bank that it expects to create more than $100 million in net synergies over time. The consensus estimate for Chime's third-quarter earnings is 8 cents per share, up 153.3% year over year, with the estimate up 60% over the past 60 days. Marqeta's third-quarter consensus estimate is 7 cents per share, up 275% year over year, after second-quarter total processing volume rose 32% and adjusted EBITDA jumped 31%. Kronos Worldwide's third-quarter consensus estimate is 16 cents per share, an upside of 188.9% year over year, following a 15.9% rise in second-quarter sales volumes. Zacks said S&P 500 earnings are expected to increase 24.6% year over year on 11.6% higher revenues, the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth.

EVERTEC's full-year earnings consensus has been raised 5.6% over the last 90 days, with the payments and fintech services provider now carrying a Zacks Rank #2 rating and an A grade for Value. The upgrade follows management's raised 2026 guidance, which now calls for US$1,085 million to US$1,095 million in revenue, up from prior guidance, and aligns with analysts revising earnings estimates higher. EVERTEC's narrative projects $1.3 billion in revenue and $230.2 million in earnings by 2029, requiring 10.2% yearly revenue growth and a $132.6 million earnings increase from $97.6 million today, and yields a $35.60 fair value, a 23% upside to its current price. Some of the lowest ranked analysts were assuming revenue of about US$1.3 billion and earnings of roughly US$204 million by 2029, a more cautious view than consensus. Execution on Latin America expansion remains a key catalyst, while a recent cybersecurity incident remains a major risk to client trust and revenue resilience.

Chime Financial, Marqeta and Kronos Worldwide are three stocks projected to deliver third-quarter earnings growth of 100% or more as the earnings season gets underway. According to the latest Earnings Preview, S&P 500 earnings are expected to increase 24.6% year over year on 11.6% higher revenues, the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth, with fifteen of the 16 Zacks sectors expected to report year-over-year earnings growth. Six sectors are projected to deliver double-digit earnings growth in the third quarter, led by Aerospace at 159.7%, Energy at 114.3% and Technology at 43.3%. Chime Financial raised its third-quarter 2026 revenue guidance to $705 million, implying approximately 30% year-over-year growth, and announced a $590 million agreement to acquire Stride Bank; its consensus third-quarter earnings estimate of 8 cents per share is up 153.3% year over year and has increased 60% over the past 60 days. Marqeta's consensus third-quarter earnings estimate is 7 cents per share, up 275% year over year, with estimates up 40% over the past 60 days, while Kronos Worldwide's consensus estimate of 16 cents per share indicates an upside of 188.9% year over year, with estimates up 128.6% over the past 60 days.

Global Payments is positioned to potentially beat earnings estimates again in its next quarterly report, according to Zacks Investment Research. The payments processor has topped consensus estimates in each of its last two quarters, with an average surprise of 2.63%. In the most recent quarter, it reported $3.46 per share against an expected $3.45, a surprise of 0.29%, following a prior-quarter result of $2.96 per share versus a $2.82 consensus, a surprise of 4.96%. Global Payments currently carries a Zacks Earnings ESP of +0.20% and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), a combination that Zacks research shows produces a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time.

FIS ranked first in the 2026 IDC FinTech Rankings Top 100, the Fortune 500-style benchmark of the world's largest technology providers to the global financial services industry, now in its 24th year. The ranking evaluates the top 100 global providers of financial technology to financial institutions based on calendar year revenues for hardware, software, and services. FIS processes more than 40 billion transactions annually across more than 75 countries, connecting core banking, payments, and capital markets data in a single infrastructure. IDC forecasts worldwide spending on IT across the globe to be over $1.1 trillion by 2029. IDC Program Vice President Jerry Silva said FIS has ranked first in the IDC FinTech Rankings seven times in the past decade, and FIS President and CEO Stephanie Ferris said the ranking reflects the trust financial institutions place in FIS to power the bank-grade infrastructure behind the global financial system.

Walker & Dunlop has arranged $86,500,000 in bridge financing for Chasen, a newly completed 352-unit multifamily community in the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. The variable-rate, interest-only loan was arranged by Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets Real Estate Finance on behalf of Capital Square through a private credit lender, with Alexandra Huffman, Justin Nelson, Andrew Tapley, PJ Feichtmeier, Eric Norris, and Jared Diedrich leading the deal. The property sits in a Qualified Opportunity Zone, part of a federal economic development program established through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Chasen was completed in phases from late 2025 to early 2026 and comprises three six- and seven-story residential buildings on 2.45 acres, offering studio through three-bedroom residences and more than 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. In the first half of 2026, Walker & Dunlop's Capital Markets team sourced over $13.9 billion from non-Agency capital providers, including nearly $9.6 billion for multifamily properties.