In an FEI Daily podcast, EY’s Sam Peterson discusses how generative AI and agentic AI are revolutionizing financial planning, forecasting, and reporting, urging finance leaders to adopt AI strategically to enhance efficiency and decision-making while addressing governance and workforce challenges.

French police raided the National Rally headquarters on July 9, 2025, as part of an investigation into alleged campaign finance violations involving the 2022 presidential, legislative, and 2024 European elections, prompting accusations of political harassment from party leader Jordan Bardella.

The German finance ministry reiterated its opposition to UniCredit’s potential takeover of Commerzbank on July 9, 2025, after the Italian bank increased its stake to 20%, labeling the move as "uncoordinated and unfriendly." The government, holding a 12% stake, supports Commerzbank’s independence.

Instant payment systems like Zelle and Venmo drive customer demand for frictionless transactions, but rising fraud, including synthetic identity fraud and money mule activities, challenges financial institutions. AI-powered tools enhance KYC and AML compliance, with Ventura County Credit Union leveraging analytics to detect patterns, balancing security and convenience.

A joint paper by the Bank Policy Institute, GFMA, and IIF highlights how fragmented global financial regulations hinder competition, economic growth, and financial system resilience, costing up to 5.7 trillion annually. Recommendations include addressing subsidiarization, reassessing ring-fencing, and enhancing global coordination.

Marco Island Finance Director Guillermo "Gil" Polanco resigned on July 8, 2025, following a contentious city council meeting where Chairman Erik Brechnitz accused him and City Manager Mike McNees of withholding audit information revealing 2 million in grant reporting errors. The dispute, centered on a "material weakness" in the FY2024 audit, highlights tensions over transparency and governance.

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) issued guidance on July 9, 2025, clarifying how virtual currency impacts tangible net worth calculations for licensed money transmitters under the Money Transmission Modernization Act (MTMA). Virtual currencies are recognized as "acceptable capital" but must be treated as intangible assets unless matched by corresponding customer liabilities.

The Bank of England's July 2025 Financial Stability Report warns of ongoing risks to global financial markets from geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and sovereign debt pressures, despite a pause in U.S. tariffs. UK bond markets remain volatile, but domestic resilience and banking stability allow the counter-cyclical capital buffer to stay at 2%.