President Donald Trump's recent tariffs adjustments have introduced significant volatility into global markets, intensifying concerns over trade disruptions, inflation, and potential retaliatory measures. In a notable policy shift, Trump announced a temporary reduction of tariffs to 10% for most countries, while simultaneously increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, citing ongoing trade imbalances and other disputes. This escalation has prompted China to consider countermeasures, including potential tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.

Energy markets remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, with oil prices continuing to influence inflation expectations and corporate margins. Concurrently, sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, and green energy are attracting robust investor interest amid rapid innovation and evolving regulations.

AI, especially agentic AI capable of autonomous decision-making, is transitioning from pilot phases to full-scale implementation across financial services, enhancing areas from investment modeling to risk analysis. As institutions navigate tighter margins, AI is emerging as a pivotal driver of efficiency and competitive advantage.

Looking ahead, the interplay of monetary policy adjustments, evolving trade dynamics, and AI-driven transformation will shape the future of global finance. In this edition, we explore key trends across banking, wealth management, private equity, lending, consulting, and financial technology-and discuss how Acuity can support your growth through strategic staff augmentation and AI-enabled transformation.

Gyanendra N Pati, Senior Director, Global Head of Marketing & Communications

Events Corner

AI-Readiness for Banks – In-person event in New York (Marriott Marquis, Times Square)

Navigating challenges in model risk management

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