SunTrust Banks in Atlanta on Friday reported a slight increase in profit that could have been greater were it not for a surge in energy chargeoffs.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. Comments are excerpted from reader response sections of AmericanBanker.com articles and our social media platforms.

Banc of California's second-quarter profits soared on stronger lending and credit quality. The $10.2 billion-asset company increased net income 66% from a year earlier to $26.5 million, it said in a news release Thursday.

Visa and PayPal have been at war for as long as PayPal has existed, and their recent cease-fire could allow both companies to overcome the barriers they have spent years building between the worlds of digital and in-store payments.

BNC Bancorp in High Point, N.C., plans to raise about $55 million through a common stock offering.

Profits rose by 9% at Capital One Financial during the second quarter thanks to strong growth in the firm's credit card and commercial banking businesses.

Visa Inc., the world's largest payments network, posted fiscal third-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as customer card spending accelerated. The company said it will buy back as much as $5 billion of its shares.

A progressive group is up in arms against Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., after the possible Democratic vice presidential nominee signed letters calling on regulators to tailor rules for community banks.

Regional banks like BB&T, Huntington Bancshares and Citizens Financial are growing through acquisition and targeted business-line initiatives, but they are having to contain spending simultaneously.

North Carolina's second-biggest community bank agreed to sell itself at a rich premium, signaling that the state has become an attractive market for acquirers. Adding an out-of-state bank could also create opportunities for *locals* to poach business.

Boston Private Financial Holdings on Thursday reported a lower second- quarter profit amid broader declines in its wealth management business.

N26, a Berlin startup that offers financial services directly to consumers, said Thursday it's received a German banking license that will let it offer a fuller range of products across Europe.

One of the nation’s biggest banks and the so-called “everything store” have joined forces to extend loan discounts to students.

Strong commercial loan growth drove an 8% year-over-year increase in Private Bancorp's second-quarter profit.

Profits rose at Citizens Financial in the second quarter thanks to higher-than-expected fee income and loan growth, including improvements in mortgages and auto finance as well as a continuing surge in student lending.

In markets where consumers spend a substantial amount of income on housing, it's often cheaper to rent than buy. But in these expensive markets, owning a home is more affordable.

People's United Financial in Bridgeport, Conn., has agreed to buy a New York wealth-management firm.

Morgan Stanley outlined its plans for deploying automated advice tools, with executives emphasizing that it was only a part of its digital strategy.

HUD reverses course and decides to investigate findings by Inspector General that some DPA programs don't comply with FHA rules.

F.N.B. Corp. in Pittsburgh is making a big play to enter North Carolina.