Corporate governance

Duke, currently vice chairman, was rumored to be a likely contender for the chairman spot last week.

Chairman Stephen Sanger could step down ahead of the embattled bank's next annual meeting, according to a news report, clearing the way for the elevation of Duke, the current vice chairman and a former Fed governor and banking executive.

Banks pay their loan officers less than independent mortgage bankers do, but the level of sales support provided negates the difference, a study from Stratmor Group said.

The regional bank reported an 8% gain in fee income and trimmed costs amid 1% loan growth.

Colony American Finance has been rebranded as Corvest American Lender in the wake of equity and asset acquisitions by funds affiliated with Fortress Investment Group.

New and used auto lending broke records, while HELOCs and second mortgages reached levels not seen since 2012.

First Savings Financial in Indiana and Dime Community in New York are keen on making more SBA loans as a way to diversify revenue and generate fees through loan sales.

The German bank posted two consecutive years of losses partly because of misconduct fines tied to the Libor and other scandals.

Stilwell Group, an activist investor, is alleging that HopFed chief John Peck bought two properties from the then-chairman of the Kentucky company's compensation committee and that the deals were a conflict of interest.

Chaos broke out periodically as investors and activists spoke out against the board, at times yelling or choking back emotion.

Shareholders voted to re-elect 12 board members and elect three more nominated by the company, but the slim margins sent a clear message.

Executives at BB&T, KeyCorp and Citizens are milking commercial lending niches and balancing cost control with new investments while waiting for more rate hikes to fatten margins.

Wintrust’s mortgage revenues fell in the first quarter, but net interest income picked up the slack.

Lenders can track the effectiveness of product pricing changes on a real-time basis using a new market share analytics tool from Optimal Blue.

James Lockhart, former director of the FHFA, is replacing Wilbur Ross, who resigned when he became Commerce secretary, on the New Jersey company's board.

The cuts punctuate the end to a rapid expansion period at the company, which now seems to be prioritizing profitability over growth.

The company also seems to be shifting the narrative to operational performance after addressing claims of questionable insider dealings.

The agreement comes three months after Astoria and New York Community Bancorp called off plans to merge.

Caliber will also buy about $36 million of mortgage servicing rights in a deal that is expected to close at the end of March.