Net interest margin

Earnings at the U.S. unit of the Spanish banking giant Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria fell 13% from a year earlier.

The Columbus, Ohio, company said Thursday that it expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates twice this year and two more times in 2020.

Second-quarter earnings at the Chicago custody bank were flat as increased interest costs offset better yields and fee income held steady.

Accounts that offer high interest rates can bolster fee income and lower noninterest expenses, though credit unions have to carefully watch these products to ensure they actually make money.

KeyCorp, Regions Financial and others have sacrificed short-term profits to avoid being crushed by an anticipated decline in interest rates.

Bank of America says rate cuts could reinvigorate mortgages and that its digital and cards strategies will help it grab more market share to offset shrinking margins.

The Minneapolis bank reported growth across several lending and noninterest income categories in the second quarter, which offset net interest margin pressures and declining deposit service fees.

Gains in the retail division helped drive overall profit to a record for a fifth consecutive quarter as mortgage activity surged and provisions for bad loans posted a surprise drop from the first quarter.

Total and core deposits fell in the second quarter from three months earlier at the Los Angeles bank as consumers sought higher yields, but CEO Matt Wagner said assuring proper funding for loan growth is a priority.

The bank's net interest income fell to its lowest point in three years, and total revenue fell short of analysts' expectations.

Granted, the bank's earnings per share topped estimates in the second quarter, but its forecast on net interest income suggests it will be harder for JPMorgan Chase to offset declining revenue from trading stocks and bonds.

The company could rein in deposit costs, cut operational expenses and buy back more shares in anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate reduction. Other banks — especially big ones — could do the same.

CUs in the Keystone State saw loan balances rise by 8.5%, while membership rose more than 3.3% to top 4.2 million.

More than 66% of the banks reported a jump in net income during the first quarter but new risks are emerging in interest rates and underwriting, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Wednesday.

It's tempting to reach for higher returns on securities in anticipation of tightening margins. However, that strategy has pitfalls, including underestimating risks or being caught flat-footed by future rate moves.

Money managers, which are critical to the success of State Street and Northern Trust, are aggressively moving cash into higher-rate products.

Bank of New York Mellon's clients shifted more of their deposits to higher-rate products. It was one of several trends that hurt the custody bank's bottom line.

Bank of America's Brian Moynihan had a lot to brag about in discussing 1Q results but faced questions about what he would do if economic growth slows and rates hold steady for a prolonged period. Other bank chief executives have gotten, or will get, similar questions this earnings season.

Net interest income at the bank's consumer unit rose nearly 10%. But first quarter could be the last hurrah for that catalyst at BofA and other banks as the Fed pauses its rate-tightening cycle.

Credit unions in Arkansas and Florida argue that allowing the industry to take deposits from cities and other public entities would help with funding and control for risk.