Interest rates

What's the point of regulatory capital rules that ignore demonstrated problems, like unrealized losses? We need to rethink what banks' disclose to investors and regulators.

Banks and other financial market participants have been keyed into the central bank's communications around monetary policy expectations. But in an unpredictable economy, the guidance doesn't always hit the mark.

The San Antonio-based bank said that loan growth, fueled in part by its expansion in key Texas markets, may compensate for pressure on deposits. It slashed the number of rate cuts it expects this year from five to two.

Brendon Falconer, finance chief of the Indiana company since 2019, faces felony child molestation charges. But CEO James Ryan says management is focused on the CapStar integration and organic growth.

The company reported $4.74 billion in net revenue in the first quarter, down 7.3% from a year earlier but exceeding analysts' estimates of $4.71 billion.

JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo said the battle for deposits isn't over — a reality denting their ability to earn more interest income. Regional banks will likely report similar pains next week.

Citigroup's earnings topped analysts' estimates as corporations tapped markets for financing and consumers leaned on credit cards.

The company reported net interest income that slightly missed analyst estimates, a sign the benefit of higher interest rates may be waning amid pressure to pay out more to depositors. Costs rose on higher compensation and an FDIC assessment.

Some online banks that offer high-yield savings accounts are making those products a little less high-yielding. Banks are also shortening the duration of new CDs, hoping that anticipated rate cuts by the Fed will enable them to start paying less to consumers.

Based on the pace of deals through late March, the banking industry is on track for the most branch sales since 2021. Buyer interest has mounted alongside the need to acquire deposits, following hits to funding bases last year.

With high deposit and borrowing costs persisting amid the Federal Reserve's campaign against inflation, lenders face stress on their net interest margins and the potential of troubled loans ticking up.

A key bank stock index ticked up after the Federal Reserve hinted that it could lower rates later this year. But there are still a number of economic uncertainties that are holding shareholders back.

Some 54% of small businesses said in a recent survey that elevated rates had led to higher debt payments. And in a sign that loan demand remains soft, 37% reported delaying expansion plans or capital spending.

Midsize lenders have largely defied the most dire predictions following Silicon Valley Bank's demise. But the nation's largest banks still have structural advantages, and the regionals remain hampered by their real-estate heavy portfolios and the continuing impact of high interest rates.

Lenders collected an estimated $25 billion in additional interest income last year by raising the average margin on annual percentage rates, or the amount above the prime rate, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Just weeks ago, prospects seemed strong for bank stocks to regain ground after a volatile 2023. But renewed credit concerns stemming from issues at New York Community Bancorp, and the increasing odds that interest rates will remain high for months, have dampened that outlook.

Bankers during recent earnings reports predicted lower deposit costs as 2024 wears on. But with inflation still elevated and the jobs market strong, the Federal Reserve probably won't begin lowering rates — and thus easing the drag on lenders' profits — until May at the earliest.

Activity from the Bank Term Funding Program has spiked by roughly $50 billion since November, when its rate fell below the level where institutions could earn money by keeping reserves at the central bank.

Fourth-quarter net income at the Buffalo, New York, bank fell 37% because of higher funding costs and a special deposit insurance assessment. But lower interest rates and a stronger economy are expected to strengthen profits this year and into 2025, its CFO says.

The Minneapolis company's balance sheet is still feeling the weight of higher funding costs, but CEO Andrew Cecere gave several reasons why he anticipates revenue growth will begin to outpace noninterest expense growth and efficiency will improve after midyear.