Bank stocks were mostly lower in fairly active trading on Wednesday as investors mulled the strength and direction of the economy.
Chemical Banking Corp. slipped $1 to $38, CoreStates Financial Corp. fell 62.5 cents to $52.375, First Chicago Corp. dipped 75 cents to $37.875, and Mellon Bank Corp. declined 50 cents to $55.75.
KeyCorp continued its recent volatility, failing $1 to $39.875 after a pin of $1.375 the previous day.
The Cleveland-based bank is projecting steady growth in net interest income even as credit losses remain manageable. But Chairman and CEO Chris Gorman also said that he thinks a recession is likely.
The first-quarter increase stemmed from higher interest rates, partial charge-offs and certain problem loans, many involving commercial real estate, executives at the Dallas bank say. Further CRE deterioration is anticipated.
The Detroit-based company is exploring ways to make more consumer auto loans without running afoul of stricter capital standards that are expected from the Federal Reserve. Possible approaches include more securitizations and the use of credit risk transfers.
The House Financial Services Committee also sent to the full House two bipartisan bills, including one that would prevent large banks from opting out of having to recognize Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in regulatory capital.
Charge-offs and nonperforming loans rose at the Georgia bank in the first quarter. But it blamed the problem on one large client and said the matter has been resolved.
Amid healthy first-quarter loan growth and improving credit quality, Discover Financial Services slashed its profits by $800 million to offset remediation costs from a 16-year period when it overcharged certain merchants.
