Financial Services Stocks Outlook (Dec. 25, 2025): Bank Stocks, Insurance Shares and Fintech Enter 2026 With Rates, Regulation and Digital Payments in Focus

Fed policy: The Fed’s Sept. 17 decision to cut rates was driven by slowing growth and job gains, though inflation has crept up federalreserve.gov. Fed Chair Powell and colleagues signaled further cuts ahead, but warned that inflation upside risks remain high federalreserve.gov reuters.com. Fed Vice Chair Bowman urged a commitment to cuts to shore up jobs reuters.com, while a strategist noted Powell was dovish but noncommittal on timing reuters.com.