US banks brace for Fed rate decision and strategic reviews.

US banks, particularly mid-sized lenders like First Republic Bank, are facing scrutiny as the Federal Reserve's meeting looms. The Fed's relentless rate hikes to rein in inflation have been partly blamed for sparking the biggest meltdown in the banking sector since the 2008 financial crisis. Credit Suisse's recent collapse has sent shockwaves through bank debt markets, and some Asian lenders may find it difficult to replenish their capital by issuing AT1 bonds. First Republic's efforts to secure a capital infusion continued without success on Tuesday, as the troubled regional lender started to plan for the possibility it may need to downsize or get a government backstop.