Performance reports

U.S. Bancorp on Friday reported a dip in profits, due to a mix of lower fees and higher credit costs.

Wells Fargo, the world’s largest bank by market value, posted fourth-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as revenue from lending and securities investments increased.

Citigroup boosted fourth-quarter profit more than analysts estimated as it generated more revenue from investment banking and a portfolio of unwanted assets.

Bank chiefs should brace for a barrage of questions about economic uncertainty, if JPMorgan Chase's experience after releasing fourth-quarter results is any indication. Double-digit increases in loans and profits were not enough to stave off questions about the odds of recession, energy risks and adequacy of reserves.

Peter Humphrey, who stepped down as Financial Institutions’ CEO in 2012, said he supports a push by activist investor Clover Partners to force the company to find a buyer. Humphrey left the company’s board in 2014.

Higher wealth management fees and improved interest income led First Republic Bank in San Francisco to double-digit profit growth in the fourth quarter.

The physical branch network is not dead, but to ensure its viability banks need to get serious about trimming it down and combining branches with digital channels.

There is a growing belief that reserves for energy loans should represent 5% of a bank's exposure to the sector. Three banks have already announced plans to move in that direction, prompting speculation as to which other lenders will be next.

The opportunity for banks from the dramatic growth in deposits goes beyond just funding loans.

The rule, set for 2018 implementation, would force companies to record gains and losses from equity investments on their income statements. That should create volatility for 50 to 70 institutions, mostly mutuals, that have such investments.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., will cut about 10% of its workforce and cancel contracts for redundant systems and services.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is giving a handful of community banks a chance to explain why a plan to change the accounting for loan losses will result in major hardship. The proposal would force banks to record a loan-loss provision once a loan is originated, rather than when a loss becomes probable.

For all the attention nonbank fintech firms get, they still have a long way to go before winning over key customer segments, such as business banking customers.

Subpar mentoring programs for recruits new to the banking industry could be the reason institutions are finding it hard to keep new talent.

Consumer credit is better than ever before, even as Americans households have started levering up. But the big question for banks looking to re-commit to consumer lending is how.

Thomas O'Brien made good on a 2015 promise to turn a profit in every quarter. This year, his goal is to stay profitable to earn back a deferred-tax asset that should meaningfully increase the New Jersey company's valuation.

The company badly missed Wall Street estimates in the third quarter, prompting management to ramp up plans to cut costs. Mariner Kemper, in a wide-ranging interview, discussed those challenges while also addressing key changes among his executive ranks.

Some lost their jobs while others made major missteps or faced serious challenges to their business plans. Here are the folks who had a rough 2015 and are looking forward to better times in 2016.

Ken Karels has guided the South Dakota company through an initial public offering and its first acquisition in three years. He is worth watching next year as ag lending comes under pressure and as Great Western continues hunting for acquisitions.

How can your company avoid missteps? By engaging with your shareholders in a constructive way. Dialogue between companies and shareholders — if approached in the right spirit — can yield valuable strategic insights and positively impact financial performance.