Regional banks

Sterling Bancorp in New York is determined to turn Astoria Financial's largely residential operation into a commercial powerhouse. While investors are skeptical, CEO Jack Kopnisky has proven in the past that such an ambitious plan is doable.

Top banking executives called the Republican tax plan an important first step toward tax reform and economic stimulus, but questions immediately arose about whether trade-offs and complexities in the bill would undercut it.

Home equity lines could double over the next six years. Some banks are actively pursuing the consumer credit opportunity, whereas many still feel stung by the housing crisis, unimpressed by home equity’s comeback so far or fearful of nonbank competition and fraud.

Hawaii's booming economy contributed to the Honolulu bank's 10% increase in loans and 9% increase in deposits in the third quarter.

With online retailers beginning to challenge the dominance of brick-and-mortar grocery stores, CRE loans to strip mails anchored by them look riskier.

The $36.3 billion-asset bank reported double-digit growth in C&I loans, commercial real estate loans and specialty loans to the private-equity, entertainment and energy industries in the third quarter.

Net income for the Oregon regional bank was $61.3 million, a slight decline from the same quarter last year. It earned 28 cents per share and fell short of analysts’ expectations,

The Tennessee bank said it has bought Professional Mortgage in Greenville, S.C., which services about $1.1 billion of commercial mortgage loans for 23 correspondent life company lenders.

While disappointed with the CFPB's actions in recent years, bankers said they want to see a campaign platform before making a decision on the agency's director.

Banks could be busy supplying credit to manufacturers, hotels, multifamily developers and other businesses that will be helping residents get their lives back on track after two fierce storms.

The hurricane was expected by many to deliver catastrophe. Instead, bankers are largely looking to restore power and confirm the status of employees.

The Houston company doesn't expect any material impact on its commercial-and-industrial book, though there is potential risk tied to residential mortgages. Management, meanwhile, has started rolling out programs to help customers recover.

Their immediate effort is to ensure colleagues and clients are safe and that banking services are available to hurricane victims. The next big issue is preparing for the financial hit banks and customers will take from wind and water damage.

Valley National's latest acquisition would make it a much bigger player in Florida and provide a platform to write more auto loans. Both markets present attractive returns but high risks.

Increased dealings in direct consumer lending and guaranteed student loans offset a decline in mortgage-related income. A lower loan-loss provision also helped the bottom line.

The Pittsburgh company, pleased with employee and client retention from its March purchase of Yadkin Financial, is looking to hire lenders from other institutions.

The Georgia company made more loans and controlled costs. As a result, it had a 1% return on assets and an efficiency ratio below 60%.

Seeking to stay below $50 billion, the regional is selling its origination and servicing businesses.

The Wisconsin regional's profits rose 35% in the first quarter on healthy loan growth, wider margins and an improved efficiency ratio, and it said its "satisfactory" CRA rating had been restored.

In his annual letter to shareholders, M&T Bank chief Robert Wilmers laid out in compelling detail how government policies intended to protect American families have ultimately stymied economic growth.