Financial institutions

Valley National's latest acquisition would make it a much bigger player in Florida and provide a platform to write more auto loans. Both markets present attractive returns but high risks.

Up to now, the most successful fintech firms have tried to fill gaps in underserved market, not replace banks. But a new crop of U.K. startups seeking bank charters is turning up the heat.

Advancements aimed at speeding the flow of information by eliminating manual processing are helping the global custody bank attract new clients and win more business from existing ones, fueling revenue growth and improving efficiency.

It is only a matter of time before bankers and policymakers realize that the concept keeping banks and non-financial entities apart no longer has any underlying support.

The Westbury, N.Y., company reported a 15% drop in earnings despite recording a large gain on the sale of some securities.

Just as pre-crisis success was illusory, so too might be expectations that banks could ever regain that type of profit growth again.

On March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

On March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

On March 31, 2017. Dollars in thousands

Associated Banc-Corp is the latest industry welterweight to get back into M&A. That should benefit larger sellers that have watched the bigger regionals sit idle in the last couple of years.

The Birmingham, Ala., bank has been cutting exposure to indirect auto, multifamily and medical office lending, categories it deems high-risk.

The Ohio company also reported that credit quality metrics remain well within its targeted range.

Increased dealings in direct consumer lending and guaranteed student loans offset a decline in mortgage-related income. A lower loan-loss provision also helped the bottom line.

But the Connecticut company says the efficiencies of its recent acquisition of Suffolk Bancorp will begin to be realized soon.

The McLean, Va., lender, which has substantial exposure to subprime consumer loans, also added to its provision for credit losses.

The $482 million deal would be Associated's first bank acquisition since June 2007.

The Pittsburgh company, pleased with employee and client retention from its March purchase of Yadkin Financial, is looking to hire lenders from other institutions.

The Cleveland company, once criticized for an initial six-year forecast, now believes it will only take four years to rebuild its tangible book value.

Regional banks are hoping that recent comments by Fed Chair Janet Yellen can add fuel to their efforts to replace the $50 billion asset threshold for systemically important banks with a regulatory indicator test.

Clearing services, assets under custody and administration and other parts of the trust bank's operations rose in the second quarter, all good news as it shifts leadership from Gerald Hassell to former Visa CEO Charlie Scharf.