Credit quality

MidSouth Bancorp in Louisiana, which faces a formal order from its regulators, will cut jobs, close branches and slash its dividend as it works to reduce its energy exposure.

The accounting board has scheduled a meeting that bankers hope will produce eleventh-hour modifications to reserving requirements.

An aggressive band of community, regional and investment banks is stepping into the commercial real estate void left by more cautious lenders, saying there are still good CRE loans to be made or bought.

The Louisiana company's board has made it clear that independence is "not a God-given right" and wants new management to address energy loan issues, underwriting, capital and expenses.

This is a good time for bank risk managers and bank regulatory examiners to evaluate the effects of a deepening retail crisis on the financial services sector.

Once focused mainly on growth, the New York-based small-business lender said it will lay off employees and cut other expenses in an effort to become profitable. The moves are a sign of waning patience among investors in the once-frothy sector.

Some investors have raised questions about the credibility of the firm’s leadership since credit card issuer announced that its loss reserves would surge this year.

The company's earnings fell 20% from a year earlier, reflecting $5 million in restructuring charges and a higher loan-loss provision.

Rusty Cloutier had been CEO of MidSouth Bancorp for 32 years. Energy-sector woes helped do him in.

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