Americas

Loan growth, primarily in its New York market, drove BankUnited's profit higher in the first quarter. Net income at the $25 billion-asset Miami Lakes, Fla., company rose 18% to $54.9 million from a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 16% to 51 cents.

Recent steps by New York Community Bancorp to lower its borrowing costs paid off last quarter in higher net interest income and profits.

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, withstood issues in its energy portfolio to report higher quarterly profit.

Signature Bank in New York reported record profits in the first quarter as strong loan, asset and deposit growth more than offset increased expenses and deterioration in its portfolio of taxi-medallion loans.

Ally Financial has blasted a proxy advisory firm for its recommendation that shareholders vote against the re-election of four of the Detroit company's directors.

MB Financial in Chicago said its first-quarter profit rose 15.6% from a year earlier as fee income rose and expenses fell.

Profit declined at Fulton Financial in Lancaster, Pa., in the first quarter, as broad-based loan growth was offset by a drop in noninterest income.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported a steep drop in quarterly earnings that reflected ongoing energy woes.

Sometimes boards have to police their own, as an insider-trading case involving a Pinnacle Financial director shows. The risks are especially high when banks enter confidential merger talks.

Community Bank in Pasadena, Calif., said Tuesday that it has named Lyle Knight, a former CEO of First Interstate BancSystem in Billings, Mont., to its board.