Carve-outs are set to lead global mergers and acquisitions activity in 2026, as companies streamline portfolios amid geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological disruption, particularly from artificial intelligence, according to KPMG’s Global M&A Outlook 2026. The survey of 700 dealmakers found that 57% of corporate executives and 71% of private equity firms are open to or…

Crypto-focused Erebor Bank has become the first lender to receive a national bank charter during the second term of the Trump administration. The bank’s funders include Lux Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund. Erebor plans to serve technology businesses in artificial intelligence, crypto, defense and manufacturing, according to its charter application.

Economists expect a moderate rise in January inflation, but many on Wall Street are bracing for a hotter-than-forecast reading. Consumer prices have a history of spiking early in the year, as businesses often raise fees, reverse holiday discounts, or reset prices in January. While official data is seasonally adjusted to smooth these patterns, economists say…

McDonald’s has announced a series of senior leadership changes, promoting Luis Quintiliano, currently managing director of McDonald’s Spain, to U.S. national field president. Quintiliano will oversee U.S. field operations and execution of the company’s “Accelerating the Arches” strategy, replacing Myra Doria, who will retire in June after helping establish the role in 2023. McDonald’s also…

Finance teams are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, but most are still struggling to demonstrate clear returns on their investments, according to Deloitte’s Finance Trends 2026 survey. While 63% of finance leaders say AI is fully deployed in their functions, only 21% report clear, measurable value so far, and just 14% have fully integrated AI agents…

Global consulting firms are increasingly using complex workarounds to continue operating in China, as Western sanctions and Beijing’s tighter controls on foreign involvement squeeze opportunities. A Reuters investigation found that the China arms of firms including KPMG, Bain & Co and EY have pursued or undertaken work linked to sanctioned Russian entities or Chinese state-owned…