Bank CEOs of 2025: Voice of the Industry
In 2025, the banking industry saw an array of hot-button issues, ranging from potential credit quality cracks to political endorsements and tariff concerns. The CEOs of major banks were not hesitant to share their insights, often with a degree of candor that added a stimulating dose of personality to the usual mix of numbers, metrics, and industry jargon. Their comments, often made during quarterly earnings calls and industry conferences, offered a valuable insight into the banking landscape of the time.
One such comment that gained significant attention was made by Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase, who used the term “cockroach” to describe potential credit-quality problems. This article provides a roundup of some of the most memorable quotes from Bank CEOs in 2025, in no particular order.
Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Renowned for his candid comments on a range of issues from remote work to the state of the economy, Jamie Dimon made headlines when he highlighted potential issues in credit quality after several banks reported credit hits related to Tricolor Holdings, a Dallas-based subprime auto lender accused of fraud. JPMorgan disclosed a $170 million writedown in connection with loans it made to Tricolor, prompting Dimon to caution against a larger credit problem, stating, “And I probably shouldn’t say this, but when you see one cockroach, there are probably more.”
John “Johnny” Allison, CEO, Home Bancshares
John “Johnny” Allison of Home Bancshares in Arkansas is known for his outspoken nature. In 2025, he made a bold statement about his company’s mergers-and-acquisitions plans and later warned banks whose M&A deals have diminished shareholder value that they may be in line for a reckoning with shareholders, stating, “These lost-decade banks, I think they’re going to get a hot shot in the butt.”
Jane Fraser, CEO, Citi
Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi, is celebrated for her refreshingly honest approach when discussing the bank’s past performance and the need for improvement. Despite Citi’s ongoing recovery from dismal metrics and a lagging share price, Fraser emphasized the need for further improvement, stating, “There isn’t, I think, a single person in our firm that feels that we are declaring victory. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
Brian Moynihan, CEO, Bank of America
Brian Moynihan found himself in an unexpected position when President Donald Trump brought up the issue of debanking during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Moynihan later defended Bank of America’s client policies and emphasized the need for consistent regulation.
Bill Demchak, CEO, PNC Financial Services Group
Bill Demchak, CEO of PNC Financial Services Group, addressed a proposed rule from federal bank regulators that would significantly impact financial institutions. He highlighted the potential impact of reforms to “matters requiring attention,” or MRAs, and anticipated a significant decrease in certain workflows.
Terry Turner, CEO, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Terry Turner, CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners, defended his company’s merger with Synovus Financial, despite a swift drop in the share prices of both companies following the announcement. Turner insisted that the merger would not replicate the issues experienced in the BB&T Corp. and SunTrust Banks merger.
Mariner Kemper, CEO, UMB Financial
Mariner Kemper, CEO of UMB Financial, expressed his views on the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff policies. He stated, “My belief system is that this administration, while they talk seriously about how they’re going to lay down the law, I don’t believe that they want to go down as the White House that burned down the nation.”
These quotes offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of some of the most influential figures in the banking industry during 2025. For more information, visit the original source Here.
