John Reosti

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported a steep drop in quarterly earnings that reflected ongoing energy woes.

Several small and midsize banks generated large year-over-year loan growth despite a belief by some outsiders that a slowdown was looming. Bankers may have to spend coming months assuring investors that they can keep booking loans while adequately managing risk.

Revenue at Webster Financial in Waterbury, Conn., hit a record $240.6 million in the first quarter, but expenses related to its expansion in Boston and an uptick in net chargeoffs kept profits flat.

The Memphis, Tenn., company's forecast for the remainder of the year calls for cost saves from a branch-reduction effort that's gaining momentum as online and mobile banking grow and monthly visits to branches plummet.

To date, only a handful of banks have become benefit corporations, but experts believe the number could rise as regulators become more comfortable with the concept.

The latest version of a new accounting standard for calculating loan-loss reserves would ease the burden on small banks, ICBA officials say. However, the ABA says it still fails to eliminate the biggest problem — asking lenders to predict the future.

JPMorgan Chase, drawing from its experience in the Motor City, has created a $125 million program designed to help community development financial institutions make bigger investments in impoverished neighborhoods.

Several banks have recently purchased highly visible properties in strategically important markets, investing in real estate at a time when the industry is closing branches at a record pace. Low rates may be a factor, but many bankers are also trying to send a message to clients and prospects.

Even as an NCUA working group is trying to craft a supplemental capital proposal for credit unions, mutual thrifts are quietly courting their regulator for a similar measure of their own.

A recent meeting with the OCC is giving mutual thrifts hope that they can find a way to bring in more capital before the next recession. The OCC, while open to a solution, is keen to protect the rights of those institutions' deposit holders.

A tip from the public gave the National Credit Union Administration the idea to make a simple, yet meaningful, change Thursday to investment restrictions on federal credit unions.

California Republic Bancorp, which has been aggressively originating and securitizing auto loans for years, is keen on revving up the engine to expand from a 10-state area to a national platform.

A small Connecticut bank takes the plunge into mobile-friendly mortgages in a bid to turn an attractive pool of student-loan borrowers into lifetime customers.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, which spent three years righting the ship, is ready to poach bankers and clients who might be upset with recent consolidation in Royal's home state. While it could look at deals, Royal is primarily hoping to steal market share with a private-banking model, loan production offices and technology upgrades.

It could take months before lawmakers approve a successor for departing NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz, and industry observers believe issues like supplemental capital could be on hold until that replacement takes office.

It could take months before lawmakers approve a successor for departing NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz, and industry observers believe issues like supplemental capital could be on hold until that replacement takes office.

The NCUA's decision to expand member business lending has sparked a renewed effort by banks to press lawmakers to eliminate credit unions' tax-exempt status. The NCUA's board meeting also ended with awkward acrimony between two of its own members.

As expected, the National Credit Union Administration approved sweeping overhaul of MBL rule, but several sticking points led to some acrimonious exchanges — and could presage battles ahead.

The NCUA's plan to expand credit unions' business-lending powers generated more than 3,000 comment letters, mostly from bankers urging a "no" vote. But the agency's board is expected to stick by its original proposal.

The NCUA's plan to expand credit unions' business-lending powers generated more than 3,000 comment letters, mostly from bankers urging a 'no' vote. But the agency's board is expected to stick by its original proposal.