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The article discusses reciprocity agreements in which banks agree to give each other business. Deutsche Bank AG' s selection of 25 banks to help it raise capital in the summer of 2014 was based, in part, on a desire to reward certain banks including Nomura Holdings Inc. for past business they had given Deutsche. Reciprocity is said to be more common among European Banks than U.S. ones. Great Britain's Financial Conduct Authority is looking into the practice.

The article discusses the performance of banking company Bank of America Corp. under chief executive Bryan Moynihan. Since Moynihan took charge in 2010 he has sought to reverse the expansionary strategy of his predecessors by exiting private equity and other selected businesses, and focusing more on consumer banking. An earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2013 revealed that year to be the bank's most profitable one since 2007.

The article discusses the profitability of banking companies J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. A 10% increase in profit for the fourth quarter of 2013 enabled Wells to supplant Morgan as the highest-earning U.S. bank for the year, a position Morgan had held since 2010. Costs associated with lawsuits and settlements diminished Morgan's earnings.

The article reports that financial firms in the U.S. other than the nation's five biggest banks increased their share of the U.S. mortgage market from 39% to 60% between 2009 and the third quarter of 2013. Less stringent capital rules that smaller firms are subject to have helped create opportunities for companies such as online lender loanDepot.com LLC and regional bank M&T Bank Corp.

The article discusses factors that are diminishing profits for large U.S. banks. A tepid U.S. economy and weak demand for mortgages have contributed to lackluster earnings reports for the third quarter of 2013 from several banks including J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. A sharp decline in bond trading has also hurt earnings.

The article reports that financial company Citigroup Inc. has divested itself of more than $6 billion in alternative assets in order to comply with regulations that limit such holdings for banks. In August 2013 Citigroup sold a $1.9 billion hedge fund that specialized in emerging markets, as well as a $4.3 billion private-equity fund.

The article discusses increased lending by small banks in the U.S. During the second quarter of 2013 loans issued by small banks grew 6%, compared to growth of under 2% at the 25 biggest banks. It is said that uncertainty about the regulatory environment has inhibited lending by larger banks. Umpqua Holdings Corp. and Signature Bank are among smaller banks that are ramping up their lending.

The article discusses an earnings report from banking company Bank of America Corp. (BOA). During the second quarter of 2013 net income and revenues grew 63% and 3.5%, respectively. Expenses fell 6%, including a 51% decline in costs related to litigation. Chief executive Brian Moynihan said BOA should see fewer loan defaults due to an improving U.S. economy.

The article reports on the finances of bank Citigroup Inc. after the end of the company's second quarter in June 2013, focusing on how the company's increased profits were due to strong securities trading. Topics include Citigroup's assertion that it anticipates an emerging-market slowdown that could impact business, how the company has expanded since 2009, and Citigroup's increased operating costs in 2013.

The article discusses a decline in bank loans among U.S. businesses. Figures from the U.S. Federal Reserve show outstanding loans to firms from the largest U.S. banks fell 9% during the first two weeks of April 2013. Chief executive Kelly King of banking company BB&T says businesses have become wary about making investments.

The article discusses an increase in U.S. business loans as of February 2013, focusing on concerns that increased competition among banks is resulting in risk for the U.S. economy. Topics include an increase in domestic depositing, interest rate decreases, unemployment, and the refusal of some banks to match competitor's loan terms.

The article discusses the superior performance during the fourth quarter of 2012 of some regional banks in the U.S. compared to their larger brethren. Bank of America Corp. posted a loss for the quarter, while Citigroup Inc.'s reported profit was well below analysts' expectations. Conversely, regional banks Fifth Third Bancorp, BB&T Corp., and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. all disclosed strong quarterly results.

The article discusses the legal settlement between U.S. federal regulators and major banks including Bank of America, J. P. Morgan Chase, and Citigroup over alleged abuses of foreclosures which led to the U.S. housing crisis. It comments on the banks' desire to settle quickly so they can file expenses under in the fourth quarter and present a positive image to investors.

The article discusses measures from U.S. banks and securities firms to reduce costs in response to decreasing revenue. According to estimates from the publication, salaries, benefits, and compensation at over 30 publicly traded financial companies will reach record highs in 2012 while revenue is forecasted to decline. Information is provided on employee layoffs and hiring methods used to reduce expenses at financial companies such as Lazard Ltd., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and Citigroup Inc.

The article reports that banking company Bank of America Corp. has postponed at least temporarily new checking-account fees that were set to take effect before the end of 2012. The fees would have largely affected low-income customers, many of whose accounts the bank says it loses money on. The decision is part of a review of the bank's retail operations being headed by executive David Darnell.

The article reports that banking industry firm Citigroup Inc. is requiring younger employees in its capital markets and investment banking divisions to reduce their hours of labor.

The article discusses consolidation in the U.S. banking industry as of January 2014, focusing on the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on small banks as well as the assets of financial institutions and lenders such as Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc.

The article reports that the U.S. Federal Reserve informed 20 large banking industry firms that their 2014 stress test bank examinations will be more stringent than in 2013.

The article discusses optimistic comments made to investors by chief executive officers (CEO) of large banking industry firms including Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Laurence Fink of BlackRock Inc. and Brian Moynihan of Bank of America at two conferences in New York City.

The article discusses a measure of disappointment in the U.S. banking, securities, and private-equity industries over the defeat in the November, 2012 U.S. presidential election of Republican nominee Mitt Romney, who some had hoped would ease the regulatory burdens of business.

The article discusses a decline in the number of branch banks in the U.S. Figures from research firm SNL Financial indicate there was a net decline of 1,487 branch outlets in 2013. Driving the trend has been the growing popularity of mobile and online banking. Eliminating branches has helped banks raise profits during a period of tepid revenue growth.

The article discusses the scaling back or complete divestiture of their investments in Chinese banks by U.S. banks. Contributing to the trend have been the inability of U.S. banks to gain wider access to the Chinese market, and new rules that require additional capital to be set aside for such investments. Particular attention is paid to Bank of America Corp.'s sale of its remaining stake in Chinese counterpart China Construction Bank Corp.

The article reports that the banks Bank of America Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. have launched a joint mobile payment system service. The service would allow consumers to access their checking accounts to transfer funds with their cell phones or electronic mail systems. The service is considered as a reaction by the banks to the competition posed by the electronic payments system company PayPal.

The article looks at the international banking industry as of July 2013, reporting that Wells Fargo & Co. bank has replaced Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. as the world's largest bank and discussing factors affecting the financial position of U.S. and Chinese banks.

The article looks at the U.S. banking industry, as of March 2013. It reports on the results of bank stress tests, or analyses of a bank's capacity to withstand a financial crisis or economic recession, carried out by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which indicated the financial health of large U.S. banks is improving. Topics include capital reserve requirements and bank corporation payments to investors via dividends and share buybacks.

The article provides information on the 2013 U.S. Federal Reserve's "stress tests," which test whether U.S. banks have enough capital to continue lending in the event of an economic crisis. In response, it states that Citigroup Inc. will request permission for a buyback of a portion of its shares, J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. will submit a plan for a dividend increase, and Morgan Stanley will seek approval to take control of a wealth-management unit.

The article examines how Hurricane Sandy has impacted the banking industry in New York and New Jersey. It notes that several banks have resorted to stocking up on cash and recording transactions by hand due to power outages effecting technology. Other topics covered include bank branch closings, bank regulators, and storm damage.