EY, a consulting and auditing firm, released an analysis on September 1, 2026, stating that US banks increased their profits by 42% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. ^[1] The ten largest European banks combined to generate approximately 58.7 billion euros in net profit during the first half of 2026, representing a 21% increase from the prior year. ^[2] EY partner Ralf Eckert noted that US institutions could expect continued high trading revenues due to a favorable environment for initial public offerings, a factor their European counterparts have not yet achieved. ^[3] Ralf Eckert, a partner at EY, stated that while all examined banks had an exceptionally good first half, the American lead has grown larger and remains substantial. ^[4] According to the EY Global Consumer Health Report 2026, 68% of respondents express the same level of trust in artificial intelligence tools as they do in health professionals. ^[5] The EY Global Consumer Health Report 2026 indicates that 70% of respondents have requested or considered requesting a test, treatment, or prescription based on information obtained via search engines. ^[6] The EY Global Consumer Health Report 2026 shows that 56% of respondents have requested or are willing to request medical attention based on information obtained through artificial intelligence. ^[7]