Regional banks

The Minneapolis bank says recent investments in its retail operation contributed to strong improvement in home lending and mortgage banking fees.

The bank started buying more Treasurys and mortgage-backeds over a year ago, long before talk about rate cuts. What did it know that its rivals didn't?

With long-term interest rates at historic lows, mortgage refinancing is coming on strong. But that additional revenue may not be enough to offset net interest margin pressures and lost servicing income.

It’s hard to time the next economic slowdown. But lenders, many with lingering memories of the financial crisis, are taking steps now to limit exposure in commercial real estate, construction and other loan segments.

Weighing in on interest rate and other uncertainties facing all banks, Citizens Financial CEO Bruce Van Saun emphasized investments in point of sale, digital banking and other initiatives meant to enhance revenue down the road.

The decision gives the vast majority of banks and credit unions another year to implement the controversial accounting method for loan losses.

The Minneapolis bank reported growth across several lending and noninterest income categories in the second quarter, which offset net interest margin pressures and declining deposit service fees.

The Minneapolis bank reported mid- to high-single-digit improvement in those categories, but total loan growth was curbed by declines in CRE and other credit types.

The company disclosed that it paid $146 million for servicing rights associated with $13 billion in mortgages.

Credit card issuers would have to set aside more in reserves because of higher loss histories, according to research by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on the impact of the new loan-loss standard.