How the promise of AI is taking hold at Canada’s biggest banks Analysts have been awaiting evidence that AI tools can drive revenue, and Canadian banks say they are close to delivering

The promise of AI is taking hold at Canada’s big banks. Investors and analysts have been eagerly awaiting evidence that AI tools can drive revenue and bolster profits, and lenders say they are close to delivering on this goal.

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Wealthsimple CEO says banks are a tax on Canadians At a company event called ‘The End of Banking,’ Michael Katchen said the Canadian banking system puts consumers at a disadvantage

Wealthsimple chief executive officer Michael Katchen says Canada’s banking industry has fallen behind its global peers at a critical time for the country. My latest for @theglobeandmail.com:

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RBC to require employees to work in the office four days a week Bank’s move is a milestone for companies looking to bring staff back to the office on a closer to full-time basis

SCOOP: RBC is telling its employees to return to offices 4 days a week. The move follows more aggressive changes from U.S. banks. Earlier this year, JPMorganChase told staff to work from the office 5 days a week. My latest for @theglobeandmail.com:

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BMO, National Bank profits top expectations as tariff tension looms Both banks set aside money to prepare for potential loan defaults as economic uncertainty raises risks

BMO and National Bank reported earnings that topped expectations even as the lenders set aside more money for loans that could default as risks mount over tariff tensions. Latest for The Globe and Mail:

TD’s new CEO Raymond Chun faces the mountainous task of rebuilding trust At the height of the most significant crisis in its history, Chun must turn around Canada’s second-largest bank

TD's new CEO Raymond Chun faces a mountainous task. He must turn around the bank after the most significant crisis in its history. The money-laundering fracas means TD’s growth is stunted in the US, regulators are watching its every move, and the executive team was overhauled. @theglobeandmail.com:

Financial crimes expert Stuart Davis departs TD after 10 months A TD spokesperson confirmed Davis’s contract as an adviser had ended, and his departure comes amid changes to the bank’s financial crime risk management team

SCOOP from @stefaniemarotta.bsky.social and I: Financial crimes expert Stuart Davis departs TD after 10 months www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

RBC paid CEO $26-million last year, including an award for HSBC Canada acquisition Dave McKay received a $6.67-million bonus, more than double his bonus from the 2023 fiscal year

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TD Bank gives U.S. head $2-million retention award In wake of anti-money laundering scandal, lender pays reduced bonuses for multiple executives

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Donald Trump wants to annex Canada to gain access to its critical minerals, Trudeau says The Prime Minister made the comments at a gathering of business and labour leaders aimed at brainstorming ways to boost Canada’s economy in the face of U.S. protectionism

#SCOOP: Trudeau told an economic summit that he believes Trump is sincere in his desire to annex Canada, revealing how the U.S. President in their most recent conversation suggested the Prime Minister familiarize himself with a 1908 treaty that set the boundaries between the two countries.

CIBC CEO calls for broad government supports for businesses and consumers potentially affected by tariffs Victor Dodig says he favours establishment of a border czar who ‘stands above the politics’

I spoke with CIBC CEO Victor Dodig about Canada's response to Trump's tariff threats. He said that Ottawa should appoint a border czar and offer financial support for businesses caught in the crosshairs of a trade war. Read the interview @theglobeandmail.com:

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TD Bank CEO, chairman stepping down in sweeping overhaul of board of directors Masrani departs ahead of schedule on Feb. 1 as the bank addresses the penalties from U.S. regulators linked to its anti-money laundering failures

#BREAKING: TD CEO Bharat Masrani is leaving his role sooner than expected. The bank announced that Mr. Masrani, board chair Alan MacGibbon and five board directors are stepping down as the bank remediates its anti-money laundering failures. My latest for the @theglobeandmail.com:

U.S. banks' profits soar as CEOs endorse Trump’s looser regulatory approach CEOs predict more profits ahead with the president-elect’s growth agenda, and the U.S. arms of Canadian banks could serve to benefit, even with potential tariffs

Wall Street’s biggest banks are backing Donald Trump’s agenda to loosen regulatory requirements that lenders believe are barriers, positioning the U.S. arms of Canadian lenders for a boon even as potential tariffs loom.

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RBC partners with Cohere to develop AI platform for bank employees The platform, called North for Banking, will help employees complete tasks and find information, including searching for answers and solutions specific to customers’ needs

RBC and AI startup Cohere are building a generative AI platform for financial services, a step that the country’s largest lender says is the first for a Canadian bank. I spoke with RBC Borealis' chief science officer about the bank's plan to create its own genAI platform. @theglobeandmail.com:

RBC, BMO signal future of climate-finance alliance ‘in flux’ after U.S. banks depart RBC’s Dave McKay said organizations are assessing whether the NZDA is the right way for banks to address climate change, though neither bank has decided on its future with the group

The CEOs of RBC and BMO signalled that they no longer believe the Net-Zero Banking Alliance is the most effective tool to encourage climate change efforts at major financial institutions.

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Government upheaval has thrown Canadian businesses in more uncertainty than U.S. peers, BMO CEO says RBC’s CEO, meanwhile, discussed the risks of president-elect Donald Trump’s threats of broad tariffs on Canada, and said the bank is preparing for a variety of scenarios

A lot happened at RBC's bank CEO conference. The leaders of the country's biggest banks warned of turmoil in the Canadian federal government, the threat of tariffs from the US, looming mortgage wars, and rising AML scrutiny.

Folks, it's only January 7th! Buckle up!

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