SunTrust

The smooth and relatively short process should be encouraging to other big banks that are eyeing deals. But their window of opportunity may not last long.

Earnings hit could be avoided if BB&T and SunTrust complete deal by 2020; Fannie and Freddie will likely exit conservatorship by 2024, Calabria says; tired of paying 'ransom' to core vendors, two small banks fund new one; and more from this week's most-read stories.

If regional banks really want to compete against behemoths and nonbank entrants they need to emphasize products over M&A.

Completing the deal before the new year would let the merged company avoid an earnings hit in complying with the Current Expected Credit Loss accounting standard and give it more flexibility on capital adjustments.

BB&T and SunTrust had to sell the branches to get Justice Department approval of their merger, a key step toward closing the deal.

The North Carolina-based credit union is doubling down on claims of trademark infringement following the biggest bank merger in decades.

The Raleigh-based credit union hit its latest milestone just three years after reaching 200,000 members.

A majority of banks globally may not be economically viable because their returns on equity aren’t keeping pace with costs, the consultancy said in its annual review of the industry released this week.

BB&T-SunTrust merger closing could slip into 2020; how “the most feared freshman” is shaking up House Banking panel; consumers are split about trusting Amazon, Google with their savings; and more from this week’s most-read stories.

The companies say they're working hard to complete their deal this year — including spending millions on retention payments and other items — but there's no guarantee how quickly regulators will make their decisions.

The Women to Watch

The Pittsburgh company is sticking with its plan to grow through expanded lending and branch openings in new markets, William Demchak told investors and analysts Wednesday.

Next up for BB&T-SunTrust: deciding where to unload branches; how the Trump administration would reform Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac; why the CFPB's payday rule is in the hands of a Texas judge; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The banks, which plan to merge as Truist Financial, are expected soon to start selling hundreds of branches in the Southeast to satisfy antitrust concerns and increase efficiency.

Brad Dinsmore, who will also serve as the California company's president, once was in charge of several key lines at SunTrust, including consumer banking and private wealth management.

To combat the notion that regional banks’ tech offerings are inferior, the combined BB&T-SunTrust will have to go “toe-to-toe” with big banks, BB&T chief Kelly King said ahead of shareholder approval of the deal Tuesday.

The deal cleared another key hurdle as Financial Services Committee members showed little interest in slowing the formation of Truist Financial.

Will the new commitment, which is 5% over what the banks have reinvested recently on their own, assuage advocacy groups' concerns about the merger?

Ahead of a House hearing to examine his company's proposed merger with SunTrust, King tried to downplay regulatory concerns.

SunTrust, the lender merging with BB&T, said it won't provide future financing to companies that manage private prisons and immigration holding facilities.