Finance

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.

The issue of how private equity interacts with consumer-facing businesses is getting more scrutiny among Democratic lawmakers and policymakers, including Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

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.

Honolulu-based Territorial Bancorp is delaying the approval vote by about four weeks in order to continue discussions with its shareholders. A group that includes a former Bank of Hawaii CEO is trying to scuttle the $78 million deal with Los Angeles-based Hope Bancorp.

Coordinated strikes by dock workers along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast could cause issues for banks that provide credit to foreign shipping groups and domestic trucking companies.

Marc Rowan said he doesn't see a reason for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates to stimulate the U.S. economy.

The Miami-area bank long ago exited New York and has plans to leave Texas, as CEO Jerry Plush expands its footprint in the Sunshine State. The shift comes as the bank, which competes in Florida with many out-of-state banks, is set to cross $10 billion of assets.