Energy industry

Green Bancorp has pivoted from the troubled energy-lending market to SBA loans, which are appealing to more small banks because they can be sold at a premium and are getting more support from Washington.

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Oil prices are dropping again, but some lenders think now is the time to recommit to energy lending as long as they underwrite them a certain way for certain borrowers in certain regions.

MidSouth Bancorp in Louisiana, which faces a formal order from its regulators, will cut jobs, close branches and slash its dividend as it works to reduce its energy exposure.

The Louisiana company's board has made it clear that independence is "not a God-given right" and wants new management to address energy loan issues, underwriting, capital and expenses.

The Louisiana company also said that credit quality in its energy portfolio improved during the first quarter.

The Sun Belt lender also increased fee income and kept expenses down in the first quarter.

Zions beat expectations on several bits of good news, but it reported about $30 million of chargeoffs tied to a single commercial borrower.

Texas Capital Bancshares sharply reduced the size of its loan-loss provision as credit quality improved in its energy loan book. That helped the Dallas bank post a 77% rise in first-quarter profit.

The Mississippi company reported loan growth but a dip in profits after a first-quarter acquisition, and it warned that it is on alert for any new “lag” in the energy sector.

The Birmingham, Ala., company's profit climbed 8% as higher market interest rates and investment securities balances offset lower average loan balances.

The French megabank has sold its $120 million stake in a $2.5 billion syndicated loan to build the controversial Dakota Access pipeline.

Bankers oppose legislation that would let local governments finance energy efficiency projects with liens ahead of the mortgage.

Activists are pressuring banks involved in financing the controversial Dakota Access pipeline to abandon the project. If banks remain committed, they risk alienating customers, but divestment could set a bad precedent.

The company continued to reduce its exposure to energy loans during the fourth quarter.

Even with some energy firms still struggling, bankers seemed confident that the Texas economy would remain one of the nation’s strongest in 2017.

Net income was also aided by a sharp drop in the provision for credit losses as chargeoffs on energy loans continued to decline.

An improving picture in the energy sector helped Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., report a huge jump in fourth-quarter profit.