Chris Cumming

Jeffrey Brown, suddenly elevated to CEO of Ally Financial, will have to accelerate the auto lender's diversification plan started by his predecessor, Michael Carpenter. Brown will need to explore new sources of originations, funding and investments.

CertusBank in Greenville, S.C., lost nearly $70 million last year.

Cost-cutting efforts that once aided earnings hit a wall in the fourth quarter as noninterest expenses – particularly in compliance and tech – exceeded forecasts. Banks are still talking about expense control, but the results highlight the pressure to produce more revenue.

New York Community Bancorp wants Washington to raise the asset size for systemically important financial institutions, but in the meanwhile its asset sales to stay under the threshold helped to boost profits and its CEO is pursuing possible M&A deals.

Zions Bancorp. on Monday reported improvement in its net interest margin and noninterest revenue, along with progress in regards to the Volcker Rule and its funding mix. But at Zions, as at other banks, progress was overshadowed by concerns over falling oil prices.

Zions Bancorp earned $73.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a loss of $59 million in the same period of 2013, when it recorded a large Volcker Rule-related charge on debt investments.

Two Pennsylvania banks recently called off a mutual conversion/merger after the FDIC rejected it on policy grounds. The decision – and lack of guidance from the FDIC – could spell trouble for other banks with similar plans.

A small Georgia lender has reached a deal to avoid a threatened involuntary bankruptcy, though the resolution is likely to leave key legal questions on trust-preferred debt and bankruptcy unresolved.

BB&T and KeyCorp's quarterly results showed how more diversified regional banks can turn to their insurance sales, investment banking and other fee generators for backup until interest rates improve. Whereas the smaller Huntington Bancshares needed strong loan growth in a quarter (and year) when fees fell.

KeyCorp in Cleveland beat earnings forecasts on the strength of increased fee income.

Citigroup has begun forgiving some consumer debt in accordance with a July settlement with the Justice Department, but this is relief that the bank may have provided even without the settlement, an independent monitor said Wednesday.

Smaller banks are eager to launch new businesses to increase noninterest income. But a new survey indicates that many are struggling to generate returns from such endeavors.

It hasn't been easy for banks to get out of loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, but Bank of the Ozarks recently secured the most significant early-termination deal yet. It could be a sign that banks and the regulator are getting on the same page.

A judge has named Deerwood Bank winner of the bankruptcy auction for American Bank of St. Paul, in the first test of involuntary bankruptcy as a means of resolving trust-preferred debt.

John Poelker joined a bank in crisis when he agreed to lead Certus in April. His efforts to turn around a crisis-riddled South Carolina company make him one of American Banker's 2015 community bankers to watch.

Andrew Samuel left Susquehanna Bancshares, where he was in line to become CEO, to run the tiny Sunshine Bancorp in Florida. While Susquehanna recently agreed to sell itself to BB&T, Samuel has been working furiously to hire and expand at his new employer.

Disciplined pursuit of acquisitions and efficient management of a complex business model have earned Mick Blodnick, the retiring CEO of Montana's largest bank, a spot as one of American Banker's three community bankers of the year.

A controversial plan to reform the bankruptcy code would shift the balance of power between debtors and creditors, resulting in extensive — but difficult to forecast — changes to the banking industry.

Bidding is over in the first bankruptcy auction to be held at the demand of trust-preferred creditors, but there's no clear winner.

Bidding is over in the first bankruptcy auction to be held at the demand of trust-preferred creditors, but there's no clear winner.