Retail & Commercial

SunTrust Banks has provided a $1 million grant to the nonprofit group Operation Hope to expand financial counseling services for low-income consumers at banks across the country.

Global Debt Registry, a debt repository for storing and tracking consumer debt, announced it has secured $7 million in funding. The investment comes on the heels of a landmark year for the company.

Citigroup, the third-largest U.S. bank, said profit tumbled 86 %, missing analysts' estimates after year-end trading slumped more than forecast.

Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. bank, said fourth-quarter profit fell 11% as revenue from fixed-income trading declined.

FS Card announced Thursday that Republic Bank & Trust in Louisville, Ky., will issue its new subprime credit card, which is scheduled to be launched this spring.

Wells Fargo has eased off the gas pedal in auto lending, as concerns about weakening industrywide credit standards continue to spread.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday it is seeking comment on a so-called "safe student account scorecard" that colleges could use to see how banks structure the fees, features and "sales tactics" of financial products to students before forming a partnership.

Commerce Bancshares in Kansas City, Mo., is delaying the release of its fourth-quarter results while external auditors complete a review of its procedures for establishing its loan-loss allowance.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday that it was seeking comment on a so-called "safe student account scorecard" that colleges could use to see how banks structure the fees, features and "sales tactics" of financial products to students before forming a partnership.

Plaza Bancorp in Irvine, Calif., has agreed to buy Manhattan Bancorp in El Segundo, Calif.