Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Wall Street Thrives While Main Street Struggles
Big banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs had a great year, especially in areas like investment banking and wealth management.
This is because rich people and big companies are doing well.
However, for regular people, the news was just okay.
The banks say that while rich people are spending and investing more, those with lower incomes are feeling the pinch.
The economy is like a 'K' shape, where the top is doing great, but the bottom is struggling.
The banks are also keeping an eye on any signs of trouble, but overall, they're doing well.
The government is also making things easier for the banks by rolling back some rules.
Major U.S. banks reported solid fourth-quarter earnings with a focus on wealth management and investment banking.
Wealth management and investment banking units performed exceptionally well, driven by a bull market and corporate dealmaking.
Consumer banking operations showed steady results with no significant deterioration in credit quality.
The economy is exhibiting a 'K-shaped' recovery, with higher-income earners thriving while lower-income earners face pressures.
Banks are maintaining buffers and monitoring portfolios for signs of weakness, but overall, they remain resilient.
- Who
- Major U.S. banks and their executives
- What
- Reported solid fourth-quarter earnings with a focus on wealth management and investment banking
- When
- Fourth quarter of 2025
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To provide insights into the financial health of the banks and the broader economy
- Banks
- JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley
- Earnings
- Solid fourth-quarter earnings reported by all banks
- Wealth Management
- Record revenue for Morgan Stanley in 2025
- Consumer Banking
- Steady results with no significant deterioration in credit quality
- Economic Outlook
- K-shaped economy with diverging fortunes for higher- and lower-income earners
- Regulatory Environment
- Trump administration rolling back regulations on Wall Street
- Credit Losses
- Citi's U.S. cards portfolios performing in-line with expectations
- Provision for Credit Losses
- Wells Fargo's provision rose slightly from the third quarter