Credit quality

Zions beat expectations on several bits of good news, but it reported about $30 million of chargeoffs tied to a single commercial borrower.

The California company's credit issues eased some in the first quarter, though earnings were down from a year earlier due to charges tied to cost cutting and reductions in three loan categories.

The Wisconsin regional's profits rose 35% in the first quarter on healthy loan growth, wider margins and an improved efficiency ratio, and it said its "satisfactory" CRA rating had been restored.

At the heart of the push to roll back the Dodd-Frank Act are claims that the 2010 reform law is killing lending. But these assertions should be backed by data.

Huntington, Wintrust and Eagle reported extremely low quarterly chargeoff ratios, and their CEOs say they remain confident about the future. But, as one observer says, "ultimately some sector is going to get overextended."

Earnings at the Dallas-based company more than tripled because of a big improvement in credit quality, higher fee income and other factors.

The Memphis, Tenn., company also reported an improvement in credit quality during the first quarter.

Reader reactions to criticism of Jamie Dimon, the House GOP ganging up on Richard Cordray, a bank's decision to part with Excel to measure credit losses, and more.

First Commonwealth in Pennsylvania is turning to a third party’s specialized software as the CECL standard makes forecasting credit losses more complicated. Other banks could follow.

Policymakers speak of expanding consumer choice, but for the vast majority of borrowers and investors, standardizing choices that make the most financial sense has greater merit.