BAC·Bank of America Corporation

Bank of America's international head, Bernard Mensah, views current strains in the private credit market as an opportunity for a "healthy cleanup," suggesting increased scrutiny on market positions. This commentary comes as BAC itself plans to deploy $25 billion into private-credit transactions, signaling a strategic expansion of its direct-lending platform. Earlier, BAC projected first-quarter net interest income to be at least 7% higher year-over-year, with investment banking revenue also expected to rise approximately 10%. In related energy sector analysis, BofA has raised price targets for several major European oil and gas companies, including Eni, TotalEnergies, Shell, and BP. These upward adjustments are driven by the firm's commodities research team, which has increased oil and gas price forecasts for 2026-2027, citing potential prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This outlook suggests a tightening crude balance and elevated risk premiums impacting future investment considerations. Investors should watch for further developments in geopolitical tensions affecting energy supply routes and the ongoing strategic positioning within the private credit market.