Large institutions say their strong capital positions allow them to reward investors, and the Fed agrees. But critics say this is the time to be preparing for a sharp downturn and continue helping those hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

The two large banks are holding off for a month on collecting on negative balances to ensure that customers receive the full amount of government payments deposited into their accounts.

The two U.S. banks set aside a combined $10 billion for future loan losses, which may not even be enough; a proxy firm says the Swiss bank did not adequately punish former executives for spying scandal.

Its prediction that business conditions will remain weak this year — and into next year — stands in stark contrast to forecasts from political leaders that the economy will rebound quickly from the coronavirus pandemic.

The results preview a tough first year for new CEO Charlie Scharf as the coronavirus pandemic brings the U.S. economy to a standstill.

Just days after the Fed lifted Wells Fargo's asset cap so it could make more Paycheck Protection Program loans, it warned customers its queue is long and they may want to go elsewhere before program funds are exhausted.

The Federal Reserve is temporarily altering the growth restriction it placed on Wells Fargo in 2018 so that the bank can make additional loans to small and midsize business that need funding to weather the coronavirus pandemic.

Parties talking about a temporary lift of Wells' asset cap; GDP would have to drop an “unlikely” 35% in Q2 before JPMorgan would be forced to stop payouts.

Wells Fargo said it can't fully meet demand from small businesses rushing to participate in a U.S. relief program because of constraints imposed by the Federal Reserve on the bank's growth.

Banks will tell the Fed they would remain strong after payouts; customers would need $250,000 in liquid assets on deposit at the bank to qualify to refinance.

Banks, under pressure to act hastily, began taking applications for government aid to small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. But narrow eligibility rules at some banks angered business owners and lawmakers.

Emergency loan program plagued by chaos on eve of launch; why Moven, one of the first challenger banks, is calling it quits; Fed faces conundrum on whether to remove Wells Fargo's asset cap; and more from this week's most-read stories.

The worsening economy brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has big banks rethinking who they will lend to.

Amid the coronavirus emergency, the central bank may have to decide at what point the imperatives of an economic crisis outweigh the requirements of its most severe enforcement action in recent memory.

Thousands of bankers are set for a reprieve as Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley joined European lenders in pledging to preserve jobs amid the widespread impact of the coronavirus.

From helping hospitals purchase new testing kits and ventilators to backing efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, banks large and small are pledging millions of dollars to assist with medical relief efforts.

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and U.S. Bancorp, along with 200 state-chartered banks and credit unions, have agreed to let borrowers skip payments for 90 days if their finances have been upended by the pandemic.

It joins a growing list of banks temporarily shuttering branches as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country and more Americans stay home. Meanwhile, Citi and rival Wells Fargo became the latest banks to announce plans to pay bonuses to front-line employees.

BofA, JPMorgan said they are paying bonuses to branch and call center employees; the bank says removing the $1.9 trillion limit on growth will help it lend to more customers in need.

Banks cutting back on branch services — or closing stores outright — to slow spread of coronavirus; Trump administration to halt foreclosures as pandemic worsens; Wells Fargo hires TD's Ellen Patterson as general counsel; and more from this week's most-read stories.