Regional Bank Shares Struggle Amidst Profitability Concerns

Shares in US regional banks partially recovered on Friday, but concerns about the sector's health remain after the collapse of several banks and a sharp rise in interest rates. Hedge funds betting on further falls in bank shares have added to the crisis, prompting US officials to assess whether market manipulation is at play. The American Bankers Association has urged regulators to investigate significant short sales of banking stocks, and there are calls for a ban on short selling to "buy time" amid the sell-off. UK banks are currently looking insulated from the crisis, but there are lingering concerns.