New York

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., has expanded the job responsibilities of René Jones, its chief financial officer and vice chairman, while at the same time naming a new CFO.

Recent steps by New York Community Bancorp to lower its borrowing costs paid off last quarter in higher net interest income and profits.

Signature Bank in New York reported record profits in the first quarter as strong loan, asset and deposit growth more than offset increased expenses and deterioration in its portfolio of taxi-medallion loans.

M&T is squeezing savings out of its newly purchased Hudson City Bancorp after fighting long and hard for regulatory approval. But it's also taking steps to keep Hudson City's customers from leaving, like offering higher rates on CDs in the New Jersey area.

Dime Community Bancshares has agreed to sell its headquarter building in Brooklyn for $12.3 million.

M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y., for the first time was able to report a full-quarter impact from its acquisition of Hudson City Bancorp, which took about three and a half years to complete because of regulatory challenges.

Investors are quickly choosing sides in a proxy battle at Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y.

B of A is normally thought of as a U.S. economic bellwether, but it has substantial operations overseas, and its international performance last quarter provided a painful reminder of that fact.

Bank of America, the second-biggest U.S. lender by assets, said profit declined 13% on a drop in trading and underwriting revenue and a 30% increase in provisions for credit losses, mostly tied to souring energy loans.

Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., has offered an olive branch to resolve a proxy battle with an activist investor.

Noah Bank in in Elkins Park, Pa., has sued NOA Bank in Duluth, Ga., in a dispute between two Korean-American banks over trademarks and competitive intelligence.

Financial Institutions in Warsaw, N.Y., is facing a proxy battle from an activist investor intent on taking two board seats.

Amalgamated Bank in New York has recruited a former American Express executive to develop its online banking platform and has created a new position to oversee corporate philanthropy.

Apple Bank for Savings in Manhasset, N.Y., said Thursday that Chief Operating Officer Steven Bush is taking over as chairman, president and CEO from Alan Shamoon, who is retiring.

State Street has agreed to buy General Electric's asset management unit for as much as $485 million.

A former staff attorney with New York's city government has been named the top lawyer for the New York State Department of Financial Services.

A program recently started in New York helps entrepreneurs improve their business plans and cash flow before sending them to a bank. The nonprofit lender behind the program, meanwhile, hopes to boost small-business borrowers' credit scores and lower their rates.

Sterling Bancorp in Montebello, N.Y., plans to raise $105 million in a debt sale to fuel potential acquisitions of commercial lenders.

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida in Stuart has reached an agreement with an activist investor after signs had emerged of a potential proxy battle.

JPMorgan Chase has formed an initiative to expand conference access to people with physical disabilities.