True Confessions, Evasiveness and Bold Predictions
April 25, 2012 2:23 PM
Why We Are Spending A Lot
"Look, it is fiercely competitive."
Commitment-Shy
"We are absolutely committed [to cost cuts]. But if we get to the fourth quarter and … there is all kinds of revenue available in a certain business or a number of businesses, we are not going to be slavish to any one number."
John Stumpf, chairman and CEO of
Cutting Ahead?
"Continued focus on expenses is one of the levers we all have to work with to enhance our performance."
Beth Mooney, chairman and CEO of
Feeling the Heat to Return Capital
"There's lots more we need to do to get closer to understanding how the next part of the [Fed's capital] process is going to work."
Don't Pin Me Down
"We're going to buy back the stock when it's a bargain, not just because we feel like it. And so you guys can all do the numbers, and it's not going to tell you what we're going to do."
Don't Pin Me Down Either
"We will exit [Tarp] when it makes sense."
Taxing Public Policy
"All the regulatory changes … took away a lot of profit in an interest rate environment in which we're all familiar with."
Brian Moynihan, CEO of
Parent Trap
"That's kind of like asking me which one of my children do I like best. We love both businesses."
Turning Point?
"Second quarter 2012 marks the start of a new chapter for Regions . . . where the emphasis will be on profitability and prudent growth."
My Take on Business Borrowers
"People are being more cautious."
Ralph W. Babb Jr., chairman and CEO of Comerica (CMA)
Optimistic … Sort Of
"The country's business community is much stronger than people think. … We just need that trigger event and I don't see it in the near term, but it surely will happen because it is a cycle."
it in the near term, but it surely will happen because it is a cycle."
Speak for Your Own Customers
"Large corporations are doing well. Remember, a lot of them are focused on international and China is doing well."
Cautious on Mortgage Prospects
"It depends on a lot of variables."
William Rogers Jr., chairman and chief executive of
One-Two Punch
"The combination of sluggish loan demand and very low interest rates continues to impede growth in our largest source of revenue, net interest income."
Harris Simmons, chairman and chief executive of
