Finance

Morgan Stanley's investment bank and its giant wealth unit surpassed analysts' expectations in the first quarter even as profits fell from a year earlier, dragged down by a drop-off in dealmaking and a jump in loan-loss provisions.

The Tennessee bank confirmed in its earnings report that the deal, already delayed by several months amid heightened regulatory scrutiny, likely would not close by a May 27 deadline. No new target date has been set.

After seeing deposit increase over the second half of March, CFO Dermot McDonogh restated the New York custody giant's guidance for a 20% year-over-year jump in spread income, hinting the company might actually overshoot its target.

Headcount at the nation's second-largest bank has fallen by around 1,000 since the end of last month. More job reductions are in the works after noninterest expenses rose by 6% during the first quarter.

As the Wall Street giant continues to scale back its consumer banking ambitions, the point-of-sale loan provider that it purchased in 2022 could be the latest target. And CEO David Solomon said there might be more moves ahead.

In an open letter to National Credit Union Administration Chairman Todd Harper, NAFCU's B. Dan Berger calls for the 89-year-old interest rate ceiling to be reconsidered.

Fixed-income trading revenue declined 17% in the first quarter, contributing to firmwide revenue that fell short of analysts' estimates. Overall net income dropped 19% to $3.09 billion.

Deposits at BNY Mellon stood at $281.3 billion, versus the average $277 billion forecast by analysts tracked by Bloomberg.

First-quarter net income rose 15% at Bank of America on strong fixed-income trading revenue and net interest income, which offset higher credit and noninterest expenses as well as an investment-banking slump.

The Boston-based custody bank reported a 9% decline in fee income from a year earlier and a shift away from non-interest-bearing deposits that cost it millions in net interest income. As a result, earnings per share fell 12 cents short of analysts' expectations.