Dividend hikes are back in focus this autumn. Recently, the Federal Reserve just cut rates by 25 basis points to a 4.00–4.25% target range, the first move since last December 2024, sharpening the debate over how banks should balance higher payouts with capital discipline as 2025 growth expectations inch higher. This could lead to larger, well-capitalized institutions, such as the Bank of America (BAC), leaning on sustained earnings power to fund steadily rising dividends while keeping buffers intact. Mor ...