Sandy Spring Bancorp in Olney, Md., said its first-quarter profit rose 3% from a year earlier, to $10.9 million. The improvement was largely because of loan growth, changes in funding costs and efforts to increase wealth management and insurance revenue, the company said.

Former Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair took private investors to task this week, arguing that their failure to understand and manage mortgage-market risk helped bring about the financial crisis.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) isn't giving up on the small-dollar loan market, Chief Executive Kevin Kabat said Thursday.

WASHINGTON — Two officials of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who played important roles in shaping the new mortgage rules have joined Wells Fargo (WFC).

First quarter earnings results were all over the map for the biggest banks, but for the next tier some distinct trends are emerging. Among them: pockets of strength and an emphasis on cost controls. American Banker editors discuss.

American Banker readers share their views on the most pressing banking topics of the week. As excerpted from the Comments sections of AmericanBanker.com articles.

National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) in Allentown, Pa., swung to a profit in the first quarter thanks to commercial loan growth and one-time factors that offset lower mortgage banking revenue.

Astoria Financial (AF) in Lake Success, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profit aided by state income tax breaks.

Consumers can now use Lending Club to pay for schooling or elective medical procedures.

People's United Financial (PBCT) in Bridgeport, Conn., reported late Wednesday steady first quarter results, characterized by loan growth and improved asset quality, the same day it disclosed a succession plan for its chief financial officer.

First Horizon National (FHN) used a gain from the sale of mortgage servicing rights to offset declines in revenue and fee income.

A report on student loan debt suggests that borrowing by people in graduate and professional degree programs is rising and could total a larger-than-expected portion of the nation’s $1 trillion in total outstanding federal student loans.

A federal judge approved a class-action settlement against a law firm and collection agency for alleged Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) said a drop in the value of a payments subsidiary, and higher legal costs, led to a 25% year-over-year drop in its quarterly profit.

Wal-Mart's new "Walmart-2-Walmart" transfer service will enable consumers to send money to each other by using the retail chain's store network.

PrivateBancorp (PVTB) in Chicago beat quarterly earnings estimates as its lending revenue and credit quality continued to improve.

The Cleveland company reported earnings of $236 million, up more than 18% from a year earlier. Earnings per share of 27 cents beat analysts' estimates polled by Bloomberg by three cents.

Webster Financial Corp. (WBS) in Waterbury, Conn., reported solid first-quarter results thanks to a surge in commercial lending.

BB&T (BBT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., narrowly missed Wall Street's first-quarter expectations because of sluggish loan growth.

William Young, the founding chief executive officer of Virginia Partners Bank in Fredericksburg, Va., will retire on June 30.