Retail & Commercial

Everyone these days is chasing Apple and Amazon.com. But are the strengths of these brands applicable to the banking industry?

First Niagara Financial Group in Buffalo, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profit after increased commercial and auto lending offset an rise in spending and a decline in fee income.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower quarterly earnings, primarily because of lower returns from its loan portfolio.

Customers Bancorp in Wyomissing, Pa., turned strong loan and deposit growth into higher profits last quarter.

Banner in Walla Walla, Wash., reported a big increase in second-quarter earnings thanks to its recent branch acquisitions in Oregon.

City National in Los Angeles reported a sharp rise in profits in the second quarter, fueled by loan growth and an increase in fee revenue.

Iberiabank's quarterly profits jumped due to growth in the Lafayette, La., company's loan portfolio.

BankUnited in Miami Lakes, Fla., reported lower quarterly profit because of rising noninterest expenses and a higher loan-loss provision.

Ion Bank has been using interactive teller machines, which let customers conduct video chats with tellers, for more than a year. The technology has helped some of its branches stay open for business 27 hours longer per week without overspending.

Community Bank of the Chesapeake in Waldorf, Md., has a new chief executive.