U.S. Banks in Q2/2026: The Golden Quarter

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On April 7, 2026, the United States turned 250. From a naval review featuring nearly 60 warships from over 30 countries in New York Harbor to World Cup matches held on Independence Day itself, the world witnessed a rare celebration of the most powerful republic on the planet.

Ten days later, it was time for another "ceremony" on Wall Street.

No fireworks, no honor guard, just 6 financial reports.

But it is the numbers in those reports that best reflect the strength of the U.S. at 250. In just one quarter, JPMorgan generated more profit than the annual GDP of about 60 countries worldwide. A single enterprise creating value equivalent to an entire economy.

That achievement is no random phenomenon. It is the result of over two centuries of accumulated financial power.

In 1784, Alexander Hamilton founded the Bank of New York-predating the U.S. Constitution. Fifteen years later, his greatest political rival, Aaron Burr, founded the Bank of the Manhattan Company-the oldest predecessor of today's JPMorgan Chase. History remembers Hamilton and Burr for their 1804 duel, but few notice that those two men were also the fathers of two banking empires that still stand on Wall Street more than 200 years later.

The remaining names appeared alongside each chapter of U.S. economic development:

• Citigroup was born in 1812 when New York became a new commercial hub.

• Wells Fargo grew up with the California Gold Rush in 1852.

• Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869 during the industrialization era.

• Bank of America began as the Bank of Italy in 1904 to serve the immigrant community.

• Morgan Stanley emerged in 1935 after the Glass-Steagall Act forced J.P. Morgan to separate its investment banking operations from commercial banking.

Today, these 6 banks manage approximately $15 trillion in assets, while JPMorgan has surpassed the $5 trillion mark and is nearing the first $1 trillion market cap in the industry's history.

250 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the story of America is still told in the very language Hamilton understood best: capitalThe question is:

And the second quarter of 2026 is perhaps the most brilliant chapter ever written in the history of the U.S. banking industry.

1. Wall Street's "Super Tuesday"

2. Macro context: 4 tailwinds shaping Q2/2026

3. 5 prominent trends in the banking industry in Q2

4. Analysis of Q2/2026 earnings for the 6 banks

5. Valuation and risks