Net interest margin

Bank stocks in recent months were a fallback for suffering tech investors, but now both sectors are getting hit. It's a sign of tightening interest rate spreads — and more volatility to come.

With rate hikes aplenty expected this year, Wells Fargo and Bank of America are said to be subdividing key markets to target deposit pricing in the future and minimize costs. These are among several innovative steps large banks are taking to prepare for more competition for deposits.

If community banks fail to keep up with higher rates offered by online banks, credit unions and (soon) big banks, their liquidity may deteriorate even faster.

If community banks fail to keep up with higher rates offered by online banks, credit unions and (soon) big banks, their liquidity may deteriorate even faster.

Deposit prices are starting to rise, deposit growth is slowing, commercial loan growth remains tepid (with some exceptions) and concerns are mounting about the economic toll of U.S. trade policy, bank executives said just a few weeks ahead of the end of the quarter.

The tax reform law passed late last year, which significantly cut the corporate tax rate, has been widely popular among banks, but a one-time hit to the value of their deferred tax assets was felt far and wide.

There's a dearth of clear understanding of the profitability of credit unions' members and products, but it shouldn't be that way. Here's where to get started.

The credit union saw net income of nearly $3 million during Q4 and more than $11 million for the year.

Total loans rose 3% at the Minneapolis bank, but its net interest margin climbed 10 basis points. It also booked a one-time accounting gain of $910 million related to tax reform.

Changing political and economic forces are raising new questions about deployment of tax savings and the cost of deposits, while old concerns about cost-cutting, credit quality and risk-taking persist or return.