Interest rates

Loan demand disappointed as optimism for economic growth under President Trump gave way to uncertainty over the prospects for regulatory relief and tax reform. Credit quality held up, but the retail and health care sectors have become potential trouble spots. Here’s a recap drawn from banks’ quarterly earnings calls.

Readers weigh in on Wells Fargo investors reelecting state regulators suing the OCC, Wells Fargo's annual meeting, ultralow interest rates and more.

After such a period of collective euphoria following the November election, how does the manager of a large institution explain a declining stock price to investors?

The Westbury, N.Y., company is angling for an acquisition as it approaches the $50 billion-asset mark.

Monetary policy was intended to act as an accelerant for an economy in recession, and did in fact accomplish that goal early on; however, its benefits have waned, if not reversed, over time.

Wintrust’s mortgage revenues fell in the first quarter, but net interest income picked up the slack.

Negative interest rate policies have not been shown to speed up spending or borrowing. In some cases, countries with such policies have seen their savings rates continuing to climb.

Amid a rising rate environment, political uncertainty and rising delinquency, credit unions can still take steps to protect their bottom lines.

Banks eagerly raised their prime rates after the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike, but the debate about how they should react on the deposit side is robust, and conversations are beginning on how to respond on the investment portion of the balance sheet. Here is a sample of the lively discussion that is emerging.

It is easy for banks to get caught up in what appears innovative but ends up being for show.