HSBC posted a bigger-than-estimated increase in first-quarter profit after provisions for bad loans shrank, stirring speculation the lender may step up its cost-reduction targets.

ROCKVILLE, Md. – National Institutes of Health FCU opened a branch in the National Cancer Institute’s new Rockville offices.

Shareholders of First Citizens Bancshares (FCNCA) rejected a proposal that would have limited the control of the family that has run the Raleigh, N.C., company for generations.

The government must act to reform Fannie and Freddie before the refinancing boom comes to a close, says the president of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Even without legislative action, policymakers can improve oversight and invite private insurance capital back into the market.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman stands alone in announcing a lawsuit against Bank of America and Wells Fargo for violations of the $25 billion mortgage settlement. But that may soon change.

New York's attorney general blasted Wells Fargo and Bank of America for "flagrantly" disregarding their promises to help homeowners under last year's 49-state mortgage servicing pact.

Other banks say small acquisitions take too much work, but Sterling Financial says a good, small deal is better than a risky, big one.

The federal government is now even more involved in the design, pricing, allocation and servicing of home mortgage credit than during the subprime lending debacle. Current proposals that call for government involvement would further entrench this situation.

Bank of America (BAC) has agreed to pay the bond insurer MBIA $1.6 billion to settle a five-year-old dispute over losses related to soured mortgage-backed securities, according to news reports.

Bibb Lamar opted to join ServisFirst rather than stay at Trustmark, which acquired BancTrust in February. His team will help ServisFirst expand in Mobile, Ala.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Monday that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must restrict future mortgage purchases to "qualified mortgage" loans.

The Independent BankersBank in Dallas has hired a correspondent-relations officer to serve community banks in Michigan and Indiana.

When experiments in lending are properly organized and priced, they can be successful for borrowers and lenders of all income groups, even in tough times.

The CEO of UMB Financial believes the time has come to rethink branch technology, to speed service and cut costs.

Vincent Delie recently mentioned Maryland, Pittsburgh and Cleveland as target markets, though he expressed lukewarm interest in Philadelphia.

Astoria Federal Savings in Lake Success, N.Y., has hired an HSBC executive to lead its retail division.

Wells Fargo and Bank of America have serially violated the terms of the National Mortgage Servicing Settlement, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman alleged on Monday.

Shareholders and regulators are on the warpath against executive compensation they regard as excessive or poorly structured. Senior bankers and directors, like their colleagues elsewhere in the corporate world, are struggling to design pay plans that encourage managers to innovate while discouraging excessive risk-taking. Further complicating the task are the sometimes competing agendas of investors and rule-makers, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the many Dodd-Frank pay rules yet to be written. Following is a look at some of hot-button items shaping executive compensation during the current proxy season.

HomeTrust Bancshares in Asheville, N.C., has agreed to buy BankGreenville Financial in South Carolina.

Rather than worrying about carving up a depressed purchase market, policymakers should be looking for ways to ensure that creditworthy borrowers have access to homeownership.