Finance

The company formerly known as Alliance Data Systems produced strong fourth-quarter sales, but was unable to report a profit due to factors such larger loan-loss reserves for its acquisition of the American Automobile Association's credit card portfolio.

North Carolina-based First Citizens blamed a rise in problem credit on certain office loans that it acquired in the CIT Group merger. Connecticut-based Webster also expressed caution about the segment, which has been impacted by remote work policies.

As deposits grow scarcer, the Stamford, Connecticut-based bank's acquisition of interLINK earlier this month promises to yield billions of dollars in core funding it can put to work paying down borrowings or purchasing securities, CEO John Ciulla says.

The company will also slow investments in new products this year as it copes with economic uncertainty.

The Oklahoma bank grew fourth-quarter loans at a steady rate and said its regional economy is solid. But it is closely watching the impact of rising senior-care costs.

The Boston bank reported broad-based increases in loans during the fourth quarter, and said it's upbeat about its forecast for 2023. "I think the reason why we're comfortable is because we haven't changed our credit box at all," said CEO Nitin Mhatre.

The card network sees digital payment opportunities and upside from China's reopening, but inflation and the slower pace of travel spending could slow growth.

With the $7.5 billion acquisition, the Minneapolis bank bolstered its customer base in the nation's most populous state by more than 1 million. Earnings accretion from the combination could offset slower loan growth this year.

While branch closings remain the norm throughout the industry, the hunt for suddenly scarce deposits is prompting some community banks to move in the opposite direction and expand their branch networks.

The McLean, Virginia-based bank is building its deposit base — in contrast with many banks that are starting to see outflows. But the growth is accompanied by rising interest expenses, which are expected to cut modestly into profit margins this year.