The investment banking giant is selling its General Motors credit card portfolio to Barclays, which is looking to grow and diversify its U.S. cards business. It's part of Goldman's retreat from consumer banking.

The Pittsburgh-based company's earnings fell 4% in the third quarter from a year ago, although noninterest income climbed 11%.

Caution among business owners has held down loans at the megabank and many of its smaller competitors. But third-quarter earnings suggest activity is rebounding.

Analysts peppered CEO Jane Fraser with questions about whether Citigroup, already hit hard by its regulators, could face asset growth restrictions. She said there is "absolutely nothing" in the works that could impact the megabank's businesses.

The megabank's scale hasn't made it immune from the deposit wars that have crimped bank profits. But the "stabilization" that Wells Fargo flagged is a positive sign as other banks start reporting earnings.

The megabank reported a big increase in credit costs for the third quarter, which included a reserve build of $1 billion.

Now that earnings season has kicked off, investors will be paying close attention for signs of loan growth and deposit pricing relief, though analysts don't expect improvements to materialize right away.

Between the Federal Reserve's half-percent interest-rate cut, and Warren Buffett slowing the gradual sale of his stake in Bank of America, here are key market moves to know.

After the bank's 2014 spinoff from Royal Bank of Scotland, its executives worked to shore up weaknesses. Now they're concentrating on how to close the gap with regional banking peers.

CEO Colin Walsh believes his company is positioned to benefit from consumers that prize the convenience of technology opting for the safety of a "real bank."