Oil prices fell nearly 5% on Monday and were heading for the steepest single-session decline in more than 6 months, after U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington, signalling de-escalation with an OPEC member. Brent crude futures were down $3.38, or 4.9%, at $65.94 per barrel at 0528 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $3.33, or 5.1%, to $61.88 per barrel…………..REUTERS.COM
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday amid what U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell described as a solid economy and diminished risks to both inflation and employment, an outlook that could signal a lengthy wait before any further reductions in borrowing costs. “The economy has once again surprised us with its strength,” Powell said at a press conference after Fed policymakers voted 10-2 to hold the central bank’s benchmark interest rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range following a two-day meeting…………..REUTERS.COM
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has upgraded the licences of selected FinTechs and Microfinance Banks (MFBs) with nationwide operations to national status. The disclosure was made by Mr. Yemi Solaja, Director of the Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) at the CBN, during the just concluded annual conference of the Committee of Heads of Banks’ Operations (CHBOs) in Lagos. This development is aimed at aligning licensing structures with the actual operational footprint of FinTechs and MFBs whose services now span across Nigeria, ensuring proper regulatory oversight………….NAIRAMETRICS.COM
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