01/21/2026
What do bank earnings tell us about the consumer?
CIO Eric Sterner joined Schwab Network to break down recent results from major banks and what they signal about economic conditions heading into 2026. “Overall, we see consumer spending, retail sales, very healthy,” he said, while noting that affordability pressures remain for parts of the market.
Eric Sterner and Pierre Buhler break down big bank earnings. Eric notes that consumers still look healthy at an aggregate level, with write-offs and provisions for credit losses lower. He also expects M&A activity to be strong this year, boosting bank revenue. Pierre noticed a slowdown and is wo...