Fraud Scandals at U.S. Banks Wipe $100 Billion, Spur Global Selloff as ‘Cockroach’ Credit Fears Mount
Zions Bancorp disclosed a $50 million loan loss tied to alleged fraud, sending its shares down 13% and sparking a selloff that erased over $100 billion in U.S. bank market value. Western Alliance, exposed to the same borrowers, dropped 11%. Global bank stocks fell, gold hit a record above $4,370/oz, and Treasury yields plunged as credit fears spread. JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon warned more loan problems may surface.