Retail & Commercial

Fulton Financial (FULT) in Lancaster, Pa., reported a nearly 5% increase in fourth-quarter earnings, capping a year of loan growth and credit quality improvements.

Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC), the biggest U.S. home lender, agreed to sell about 2 percent of its residential servicing portfolio, or about 184,000 loans, to Ocwen Financial Corp. (OCN) as it tests the market.

First Midwest Bancorp (FMBI) in Itasca, Ill., posted higher earnings in the fourth quarter as noninterest expense fell and credit quality improved.

Bank CEOs, particularly those running small banks, shouldn't be judged on stock price alone. Board members and investors should also consider, among other things, liquidity, tangible book growth and oversight of mergers and acquisitions.

Renasant (RNST) in Tupelo, Miss., posted a big increase in quarterly profit following its recent purchase of First M&F.

In a reflection of how important--and how tough--expense cuts are to banks these day, SunTrust devoted part of its recent earnings call to discussing a real estate move aimed at saving $100,000 a month.

U.S. Bancorp (US) reported fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as the bank set aside less money for credit losses.

TriCo Bancshares (TCBK) in Chico, Calif., has agreed to buy North Valley Bancorp (NOVB) in Redding, Calif.

Zions Bancorporation (ZION), the Utah lender that forecast last month the new Volcker Rule would wipe out its profit, said losses will be about half what it expected after regulators eased enforcement.

TrustCo Bank (TRST) in Glenville, N.Y., reported higher quarterly profits because of loan growth and improved asset quality.