New York

The acting head of New York’s Department of Financial Services will step down before the end of the year, giving New York Governor Andrew Cuomo a run at reshaping a regulator that has levied billions of dollars of penalties against international banks and at times raised hackles in foreign capitals.

Astoria Financial, a New York City- area thrift under pressure from activist investor Basswood Capital Management to boost the share price, is exploring a sale, according to people familiar with the matter.

First Niagara Financial Group in Buffalo, N.Y., swung from a loss to a third-quarter profit, as it posted growth in business loans and generated more fee income.

Nasdaq has acquired SecondMarket Solutions, a New York software-as-a-service provider that focuses on helping companies prepare for an IPO.

Dime Community Bancshares in Brooklyn, N.Y., said that Kenneth Mahon will succeed Michael Devine as its president on Jan. 1.

Deutsche Bank has appointed Kim Hammonds to its management board and promoted her to chief operating officer.

Bank of New York Mellon won final approval of a $180 million settlement with investors who claimed they lost money amid allegations the bank had defrauded clients in foreign-exchange transactions for as long as a decade.

A federal appeals court has dealt the retail sector a setback in the ongoing fight over surcharges on credit card purchases.

Bank of New York Mellon, the world’s second-largest custody bank, reported a third-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as the company cut expenses to offset the impact of lower interest rates.

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., reported a higher third-quarter profit as improved net interest income offset declines in trust services, deposit-account fees and mortgage banking.