On Thursday the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved Ford Motor Company’s application for deposit insurance, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the automaker’s plan to establish an industrial bank. With this approval, Ford can begin offering financing and related financial services directly to customers and dealers, potentially reducing its reliance on third-party lenders. Industry analysts estimate that in-house financing could enhance net interest margins by 20–30 basis points and capture up to $2 billion in annual earnings before interest and taxes over the next five years.

Ford announced a safety recall covering 119,075 vehicles in the U.S., including model years 2013–2018 Focus, 2013–2019 Escape, 2015–2016 MKC, and 2019 and 2024 Explorer. An estimated 1,191 units exhibit a cracked block heater that may leak coolant and short-circuit when plugged in, posing a fire risk. Customers will receive interim letters by February 13, 2026, and dealers will replace the heater assembly free of charge once final parts are available around April 2026. Ford has urged owners not to use the block heater until the remedy is complete.

Last year Ford’s share price surged 33% following a strategic shift away from fully electric trucks toward hybrid and internal-combustion models. The decision to discontinue the electric F-150 Lightning and cancel other large EV projects will incur a $19.5 billion non-cash impairment charge, but management projects stronger margins going forward. Through the first nine months, revenue increased 3% to approximately $141.4 billion, while adjusted operating income declined from $8.1 billion to $5.7 billion largely due to a supplier plant fire. Looking ahead, analysts forecast adjusted earnings per share rising from $1.10 in 2025 to $1.52 in 2026, reflecting improved unit economics in higher-margin segments.