Thursday Night / Friday News (and opinion) - BoA, First Niagara, JP Morgan Hires

General Banking News

Hunt continues for millionaire runaways
Still on the run!
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hunt-continues-millionaire-runaways-2761683

U.S. Banks Have $168 Billion Reason to Avoid Government’s PPIP
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aa5Joz86_K6w&refer=home

U.S. banks borrow less from Fed in latest week
http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2851971420090528

Questions Delay Sale Of Toxic Bank Assets
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/27/AR2009052702042.html?hpid=topnews

Wall Street faces pay conundrum amid TARP rules
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKTRE54R6OO20090528?symbol=BAC.N

Should the U.S. force bank debt conversions?
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKTRE54R6NI20090528?symbol=RF.N&pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Fed makes banks' capital raising tougher: report
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKTRE54R1AG20090528?symbol=PNC.N

Any limit to bank arrogance?
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/20522/Any+Limit+to+Bank+Arrogance%3F

Bank of America

Merrill Lynch’s Chief Americas Energy Trader Said to Leave Firm
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=afK1DE1v17Ko&refer=home

Countrywide loses bid to dismiss mortgage lawsuit
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKN2834491720090528?symbol=BAC.N

Bank of America eyes big share swap to add capital
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKN2832040720090528?symbol=BAC.N

Bank of America getting into the luxury hotel business
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/05/67364023/1

First Niagara

First Niagara repays TARP proceeds, shares up
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKTRE54R3GW20090528?symbol=PNC.N

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo CEO says California in 'financial ruin'
http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/othercities/losangeles/stories/2009/05/25/daily27.html

Wells Fargo Fighting Ban on Selling Bank-owned Houses in Cleveland
http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/news/26369/

JP Morgan

J.P. Morgan Chase Adding 250 Jobs to Rochester
http://www.13wham.com/mostpopular/story/J-P-Morgan-Chase-Adding-250-Jobs-to-Rochester/tmezMA3kPkqmuPsS5v_f3g.cspx

PNC Financial

PNC Chief Rohr Expects Profit at Pre-Recession Levels
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=auYcjvJL5jBQ&refer=news

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Bullying Is Least of SEC’s Woes: Jonathan Weil
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=awpnU9n.2OYU&refer=home

Bad Apples At Morgan Stanley
http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/26/scrutiny-morgan-stanley-markets-equity-banks.html

Wednesday Night / Thursday News - SunTrust, KeyCorp, Regions

General Banking News

Consumers, investors protected under overhaul
It's coming......
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/28/consumers_investors_protected_under_overhaul/

Banks find ways to boost fees; checking accounts latest target
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2009-05-27-checks-fees-banks_N.htm

Questions Delay Sale Of Toxic Bank Assets
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/27/AR2009052702042.html?hpid=topnews

Georgia banks’ losses in first quarter: $1.2 billion
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/05/27/georgia_banks_earnings.html

Fed would serve as risk regulator under Obama plan
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJRk71G8GBZrHsXiPhVw0v8iT2gwD98EUJHG0

SunTrust

SunTrust Backs Out Of Deal To Pay Back Investor Losses
Read with caution - from "fraud lawyer" blog!
http://www.investmentfraudlawyerblog.com/2009/05/suntrust_backs_out_of_deal_to.html

Taber named to top post at SunTrust Bank, West Georgia
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/731431.html

KeyCorp

KeyCorp to undertake share exchange offer
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/27/ap6471438.html

KeyCorp to cut 300 more jobs
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2343276/

Bank of America

GMAC credit cards switching to BofA
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/748319.html

Regions

Regions Financial shares rise on analyst upgrade
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/27/ap6471015.html

Wells Fargo

Has Wells Fargo Stock Run Too Far?
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1901343,00.html

Bank overdraft fees - Will they be regulated?

I posted an earlier news article about SunTrust Bank being sued for their overdraft fees associated with the manner in which they process credits and debits in a customer's account. Although I initially posted the item because it's a situation a lot of bank customers have experienced, I hadn't looked too far into the matter.

Upon closer inspection, I see several banks have (or are) being sued under a similar complaint. Banks make large sums of money on a multitude of fees charged. In fact, in 2008, SunTrust Bank had income of over $1.7B in "Service charges, Card fees and other charges and fees." Due to huge provisions for loan losses, their net interest income was only $2.15B. They stated that their "transaction fee-related income....increased by $141.5M, or 8.9%....., driven by an increase in both consumer and business deposit account activity, primarily due to the growth in the number of accounts, higher non-sufficient fund rates, and an increase in the occurrence of non-sufficient fund fees."

Based on the level of consumer dissatisfaction and current regulatory environment, I wonder if this issue will make it past the courts and into Congress? The UK is already ahead of the situation, as the High Court has already taken up the issue of high overdraft fees. (See article "Court rules OFT can assess bank overdraft charges" http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_175465.

Wednesday's News - Australian's Runaways and Zombie Banks

General Bank News

U.S. Stocks Retreat as Treasury Yields Climb, Monsanto Slides
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=avT8w9DCovhM&refer=home

No bonuses for bank workers, just raises
This will go over well
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/05/27/no-bonuses-for-bank-workers-just-raises/

Banks earned $7.6B in 1Q after record loss in 4Q
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i0HyquStzJHIwPDAG4GQQc0-_OEAD98EKQMO1

RPT-Novel ideas surface for U.S. banks' executive pay
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSN2237847120090526

American Express, Discover Top Credit Card Provider Rankings
HSBC, WaMu and BOA at the bottom.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/139635-american-express-discover-top-credit-card-provider-rankings

Banks Still Lobbying To Game PPIP
http://www.businessinsider.com/banks-still-lobbying-to-game-ppip-2009-5

The Backdoor Bailout for Banks and the FDIC
http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/05/the_backdoor_bailout_for_banks_and_the_fdic.php

Chinese casino drawn into bank bungle millionaires' tangled web
They're blowing their dough at the casino!
http://www.smh.com.au/world/chinese-casino-drawn-into-bank-bungle-millionaires-tangled-web-20090527-bmon.html
Runaway millionaires may have separated
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2443994/Runaway-millionaires-may-have-separated

The Strange Allure of Florida Banks
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS277917444420090526

Deposit insurance ceiling extended
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09147/972821-68.stm

Two Illinois Banks Fail
See sidebar for link to failed institutions
http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=1492

UBS Will Stick to Market-Level Salaries, Gruebel Tells Staff
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aWZvH9qVeXoQ&refer=home

Zombie banks walk among us
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/22/news/companies/zombie_banks/?postversion=2009052615

WaMu's gone, but is Chase 'the one?'
http://www.komonews.com/economy/45877837.html

T2 Partners books profits on Wells Fargo, Amex
Sell WFC, Buy BAC
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSNYS00507920090520

HSBC

HSBC sees tough 2010, may rethink US credit cards
http://www.reuters.com/article/earningsSeason/idUSLM65022620090522

Citigroup

Moody's cuts rating on Citigroup subsidiary
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/26/ap6465464.html

Bank of America

Banking On BofA's Long-Term Viability
http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/26/bank-america-financial-markets-equity-capital.html

Bank of America Raises $26 Billion in Capital Plan (Update4)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a4k23DPkFsgA&refer=home

JP Morgan

JPMorgan likely to reap $29 Bln windfall on WaMu bad loans purchase
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/BreakingNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=959650%20&Category=Breaking%20News

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo poaches U.S. Trust's N.E. chief
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2009/05/25/daily33.html

Wells-Fargo Overdraft Fees - Potential Litigation
http://chimicles.com/case/wells-fargo-overdraft-fees-potential

Wachovia Sued Over 'Bad-Faith' Charging of Overdraft Fees
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202429119415

QC Die Casting employees demand meeting from Wells Fargo
http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-qc-die-casting-wells-fargo-052609,0,6981430.story

Union angry at bailed out bank
Taxpayer's dollars cause trouble
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/05/26/Union-angry-at-bailed-out-bank/UPI-62541243366977/

Hartmarx agrees to sell assets
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sat-hartmarx-0523-may23,0,1199285.story

Bank Overdraft Fees - Example: SunTrust

I'm sure this process is repeated at most large banking institutions, and I'm sure it's been challenged before. We'll see where this one goes. See link:

Lawsuit filed against Sun Trust Banks
http://www.legallawhelp.com/news/2009/04/28/lawsuit-filed-against-sun-trust-banks/

Weekend Bank News - Runaway Australians

General Banking News

Kiwis on the run updating Facebook profiles
Bank Employee receiving counselling - OW!
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25533782-12377,00.html

Bank hits back at millionaire runaways
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10574125

Bank satisfaction continues to decline
BB&T, SunTrust, Region above average, Fifth Third, BOA below average
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090525/COLUMNIST/905251017/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

Is It Time to Buy Banks?
Ad for Motley Fool, but okay article
http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2009/05/22/is-it-time-to-buy-banks.aspx

Buffett's Berkshire scales back on big stock purchases
Poor Warren - running out of cash?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009256243_buffettstox24.html

An Unwarranted Sweet Deal For U.S. Banks
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3243583

Federal regulators close Strategic Capital Bank
See sidebar for a complete list of failed banks
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-champaign-bank-shut-down-may22,0,2560829.story

Big Banks to Pay Larger Share of FDIC Levy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/22/AR2009052203442.html?nav=rss_business

Mob Tried to Bilk HSBC, Bank of America, Italy Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aDVQrZyCvwtk&refer=germany

Notice of Filing Securities Class Action against SunTrust Banks, Inc.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/notice-of-filing-securities-class-action-against-suntrust-banks-inc,835899.shtml

PhillyDeals: Time to give up the fantasies and face facts
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20090524_PhillyDeals__Time_to_give_up_the_fantasies_and_face_facts.html

Wall St. job losses not quite adding up
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090524/SMALLBIZ/305249991

Bank of America

Bank of America Revises 64,000 Loans After Pact With States
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPPh1_faHRH0&refer=home

Institutional Investor Flee's From Bank Of America. Will Others Follow ??
http://www.glgroup.com/News/Institutional-Investor-Flees-From-Bank-Of-America.-Will-Others-Follow----39152.html

Worthwhile Message Threads

We're adding what we think are worthwhile discussions on other sites. There are thousands of discussions going on every day, however, very few attempt to actually discuss a legitimate topic. Our attempt is to bring meaningful blogs, discussions, and ideas to the forefront for your review. We've added this section to the top of our sidebar. Please let us know if you find this useful.

Opinions - Banking Changes Coming

Following is an excellent posting for thought:

Big, bigger and too big
http://www.reuters.com/article/dealAtoms/idUS89200451620090515

other stuff

How Sub-prime financed the economic disaster
http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=19381

More Angry Bank (Citi) Customers
http://madisonparkblogger.blogspot.com/2009/05/you-may-have-noticed-recent-spate-of.html

Crony capitalism has taken root in America
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20090519a2.html

Worst-ranked financial of 19 rated by US Gov't
http://www.socialpicks.com/ideas/show/248743

Temasek and Bank of America - Are we missing something?
http://singaporeenquirer.sg/?p=3762

Friday News - Credit Cards, Huntington, Bank Errors

Credit Card Legislation
See sidebar for more on this topic

Obama signs new rules for credit cards into law
http://www.examiner.com/a-2030250~Obama_signs_new_rules_for_credit_cards_into_law.html

A Good Credit Card Bill . . .
. . . That isn't really needed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052003152.html

American Express, Discover May Face Downgrades on New Card Law
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aEUbPwmErR24&refer=home

General Topics

OOPS
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-21-voa49.cfm

Bank Stock Appetite? Feeling Full
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2009/05/21/bank-stock-appetite-feeling-full/

Regulators seize Florida's BankUnited FSB
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Regulators-seize-Floridas-apf-15323245.html?sec=topStories&pos=1&asset=&ccode=

BankUnited Sale May Signal Shift by FDIC in Bank Buyout Rules
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=azOHOtxuEFJY&refer=us

BankUnited sees Miami expansion, no layoffs
http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSTRE54K6LF20090522

Goldman Blesses Big Banks, Hits Regionals
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10504232/1/goldman-blesses-big-banks-hits-regionals.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Banks Raised Billions, Geithner Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/business/economy/21geithner.html?hp

RPT-Banks expect fee bonanza from stock sales spree
http://www.reuters.com/article/newIssuesNews/idUSN2137404620090521

FINRA settles ARS complaints with four firms
http://securitiesarbitration.blogspot.com/2009/05/finra-settles-ars-complaint-with-four.html

Regions

Analysts: Regions could be merger target
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/05/18/daily37.html

US Bankcorp / "Wachovia"

U.S. Bancorp Opens Charlotte Office, Hires Ex-Wachovia Bankers
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3240424

Bank of America

Bank of America promotes Stoltz to Triangle market president
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2009/05/18/daily56.html

Huntington Bancshares

New Mark-To-Market Accounting Rules Boost Banks' Equity
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905211618DOWJONESDJONLINE000812_FORTUNE5.htm

Huntington to Raise Capital
http://www.morningstar.ca/globalhome/industry/news.asp?articleid=292685

SunTrust

Initiating SunTrust Banks at Neutral - Credit Suisse comments
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=957293

Coconut Grove Bank Names Former SunTrust Exec Robert Coords as President and Chief Executive Officer
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/coconut-grove-bank-names-former,834283.shtml

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo CEO on the hot seat
Interview with John Stumpf
http://www.startribune.com/business/45799642.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUss

Wells Fargo Is Asked to Sell, Not Liquidate Hartmarx
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ay16lNb4qGhY&refer=us

Hartmarx Officially Names Emerisque As "Stalking Horse" Bidder

Couple Says Schwab & Wells Fargo Aided Scam
"It's not my fault" - wahh
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/05/21/Couple_Says_Schwab_&_Wells_Fargo_Aided_Scam.htm

Foreclosures: New Waves Will Hit
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3238415

Citi

Citigroup steps up tech cuts to save billions
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/50ed703a-4669-11de-803f-00144feabdc0.html

BB&T

Initiating BB&T at Underperform - Credit Suisse comments
http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=957339

Bank Stock Picking Challenge

We already have a winner - us!! We never thought it would be so difficult to give away $100, but nobody wanted to play. Maybe we'll try again sometime.

Wednesday Morning News - Credit Card Legislation; Banking

Credit Card Legislation
See Sidebar for More Articles

Dodd: Public Anger Helped To Fuel Bill On Credit Cards
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=0d1133fa-634f-46ba-9f96-3843e74c02b8

Senate Passes Bill Curtailing Credit Card Industry
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051901867.html?hpid=topnews

A Look At The Credit Card Overhaul Bill
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10503083/1/a-look-at-the-credit-card-overhaul-bill.html

General

Bank of America, Citigroup Insiders Reap Millions Buying Stock
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aQ.xsUpiZcsY&refer=us

U.S. banks are kept guessing on TARP repayment
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSTRE54I63820090519

Banks Recovering but Still Face Rough Times
http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/banks_still_face_tough_times_090515.html

Small Banks Continue To Boost TARP-o-Meter
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS118256949520090519

Kashkari Says ‘Too Big to Fail’ Provides Unfair Edge
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awWa7u4AM1LY&refer=us

TARP repayments from big banks may start in June
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D989H94O1.htm

TD Bank scores well in mid-Atlantic
PNC, SunTrust PNC rank 7th & 8th
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/05/18/daily39.html

First Financial makes $100M offering
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090519/BIZ01/305190006/1001/BIZ/First+Financial+makes++100M+offering

State Street Bank

In State Street, Government Scores Quiet Bailout Victory
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905191600DOWJONESDJONLINE000623_FORTUNE5.htm

Bank of America

Bank of America Raises $13.5 Billion In New Share Sale
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905192047DOWJONESDJONLINE000689_FORTUNE5.htm

Sakwa Leaves Bank of America; Lender Hires UBS REIT Analysts
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=agaSF3qWYQ2w&refer=home

Bank of America Shares Sink On Common Stock Offering
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905191959DOWJONESDJONLINE000686_FORTUNE5.htm

JP Morgan

JPMorgan shareholders want dividend back
http://www.thestate.com/business-wire/story/793298.html

SunTrust

Notice to All SunTrust Capital IX 7.875% Trust Preferred Series Investors
Class Action Lawsuit - Just what they need
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090519006612&newsLang=en

BB& T

BB&T has cut 26 positions in recent months, bank says
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/may/19/191136/bbt-has-cut-26-positions-in-recent-month-bank-says/business/

Regions

Judge files lawsuit against Regions Bankhttp://www.oanow.com/oan/news/national/article/judge_files_lawsuit_against_regions_bank/73149/

Regions Announces $1.25 Billion Capital Raise
http://newsticker.welt.de/?module=smarthouse&id=891811

Tuesday Morning News

Credit Card Legislation
See Sidebar for More News

Consumer protection coming for credit card rules
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/buggs/6428724.html

Credit card backlash bill comes due in U.S. Senate
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1837268020090518

Four ways consumers could take a hit from new card rules
http://www.marketwatch.com/m/story/5b1b54ce-9db6-4518-8232-97077fc250f4/0

General

More Clients Ready to Switch Banks as Trust Wanes
http://www.financial-planning.com/news/clients-distrust-banks-2661954-1.html

American Express says it will eliminate 4,000 jobs
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/shared-gen/ap/Finance_General/US_American_Express.html

West Roxbury Man Protests Bank Layoffs
http://wbztv.com/local/west.roxbury.protest.2.1011063.html

SunTrust

Anonymous said in our posted comments...
"More cuts to SunTrust Bank happening this week."

SunTrust regroups from risks it took
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/05/17/suntrust0517.html

Morgan Stanley & Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley apply to repay TARP
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gwVjLGTBSgX-WsCgOsgIYpNVWKmQD988U4GG0

Wells Fargo

Did Buffett Blunder on Wells Fargo?
http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2009/05/18/did-buffett-blunder-on-wells-fargo.aspx

Wells names wealth management execs
The haven't canned all of the Wachovia Employees
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/731681.html

Wells Fargo subsidiary boosts its DC plan operations
http://www.ifawebnews.com/articles/2009/05/18/news/life/doc4a0b0a1735b27021660760.txt

Peoples Bank

Peoples to sell 17 of 19 bank branches
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090518/BIZ01/305180038/Peoples+to+sell+17+of+19+bank+branches

Fifth Third Bancorp, U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group

Big local banks boosted lending in March
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090518/BIZ01/905190322/1076/BIZ/Big+local+banks+have+boosted+lending

Weekend Bank News

Credit Card Legislation
See Sidebar for more articles

Credit Card Practices Topic A at Obama Town Hall
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/05/14/credit_card_practices_at_issue.html?hpid=topnews

Consumer protection coming for credit card rules
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/buggs/6428724.html

Lobbying power of plastic
Interesting Numbers
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/05/lobbying-power-of-plastic.html

General

Government-run banks
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/14/government-run-banks/?opinionfreepress

SunTrust

Bank pushes revival mode
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/05/16/suntrust0516.html

SunTrust regroups from risks it took
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/05/17/suntrust0517.html

Citibank

Protesters to hit Citibank
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1172632&srvc=business&position=3

US Bancorp

Berkshire adds shrs of beaten down US Bancorp, Wells
http://www.reuters.com/article/regulatoryNewsFinancialServicesAndRealEstate/idUSN1529873520090516

U.S. Bancorp CEO: We could exit TARP in a few weeks
http://uk.reuters.com/article/companyNewsMolt/idUKTRE54C58L20090513

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo update disrupts payday
http://venturebeat.com/2009/05/15/wells-fargo-update-disrupts-payday/

Sovereign Bank

Sovereign Bancorp reports $817.3m loss
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/16/sovereign_bancorp_reports_8173m_loss/

Bankers Forum - Friday Morning News - Credit Card Reform; TARP; Wells Fargo; SunTrust

Credit Card Reform Bill
(See section on sidebar from more news)

Cramdown Versus Credit Cards: What A Difference A President Makes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/cramdown-versus-credit-ca_n_203767.html

Credit card reform bill slows in U.S. Senate
http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1449984520090514

General News

BofA Told To Replace Board With People Who Actually Know About Banking
http://www.businessinsider.com/bofa-told-to-replace-board-with-people-who-actually-know-about-banking-2009-5

Banks Strong-Armed into TARP $
Good Article
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/records-show-full-court-press-behind-banking-bailout/?hp

Bankers, Without Final Rules, Position For TARP Repayment
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905141328DOWJONESDJONLINE000624_FORTUNE5.htm
Bank execs' new 'stress'
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/15/news/companies/stress_test_management/?postversion=2009051503

Peoples Bank now open for business
In Ohio?
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20090515/NEWS01/905150323/1002

Wells Fargo and Bank of America Hired Thousands Of Mortgage Employees Last Quarter
http://www.businessinsider.com/wells-fargo-and-bank-of-america-hired-thousands-of-mortgage-employees-last-quarter-2009-5

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo to pay $312.5M TARP dividend
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6424579.html

Hartmarx workers sit-in vote spreads to Rochester, NY
http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/15641/

Price Says Current Market ‘Ideal for Stock Picker’
Says Wells and BBT good bet
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aeC2.DqRofgU&refer=home

Curious Accounting Tactics at Wells Fargo
http://seekingalpha.com/article/136782-curious-accounting-tactics-at-wells-fargo

KeyCorp

KeyCorp Agrees With Holders to Swap Convertible Stock
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awsYACuEMYI0&refer=us

SunTrust

Johnny B. Moore Jr. to become president, CEO of SunTrust in Memphis
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/08/moore-become-ceo-suntrust-bank-memphis/

SunTrust plans $1.25 bln stock sale, dividend cut
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/05/15/afx6428524.html

Bank of America

Moody's may upgrade Bank of America rating
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6424427.html

Regulators urge Bank of America board overhaul: Report
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/Regulators-urge-Bank-of-America-board-overhaul-Report/articleshow/4534734.cms

PNC

PNC latest bank to sell shares to raise capital
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/14/ap6423265.html

CITI

Parsons: White House won't run Citi
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/13/news/companies/citigroup_chairman_TARP/?postversion=2009051315

Thursday Morning's News

General

U.S. moving ahead on bank oversight
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/13/news/economy/regulatory_changes/?postversion=2009051313

Paulson Told Bankers to Take U.S. Taxpayer Aid or Be ‘Exposed’
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=auLCYdFyUm5Y&refer=home

What the Bank 'Stress Tests' Tell Us About Commercial Real Estate
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=DA4438A5A1476F915BAB19615FA001C2

How the US govt fixed the bank stress tests
Opinion
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1255832

Soak the Bankers
Yeah, cause we're all RICH!
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS405545195220090513

Banks could lose more than stress tests show
Risks to BofA and other top lenders come from exotic bets on insurance-like derivative investments.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/721020.html

Bankers & Brokers Have Learned Nothing From the Current Crisis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137315-bankers-brokers-have-learned-nothing-from-the-current-crisis

How to Play the Banks After Stress Tests
http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/may2009/pi20090513_608864.htm?chan=investing_investing+index+page_top+stories

Wells Fargo

Why Governments Shouldn’t Run Banks
Excellent article about Hartmarx and Wells Fargo
http://executivesuite.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/why-governments-shouldnt-run-banks/?hp

Bank of America

BofA presses fired staff to give up right to sue
Screw them once, twice...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE54B4Y520090512

Lewis under pressure from "the man"
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/nation/story/1047099.html

Will Bank of America IPO Merrill Lynch?
http://www.businessinsider.com/will-bank-of-america-ipo-merrill-lynch-2009-5

BB& T

BB&T announces full over-allotment option exercised in common stock offering

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-13-2009/0005025800&EDATE=

SunTrust

SunTrust on losing end of senior bankers’ migration patterns
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/suntrust-losing-end-senior-bankers%E2%80%99-migration-patterns

Regions

Executive Appointments
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/executive-appointments-117

Wednesday - Banking News

Wednesday

General

Soak the Bankers
Yeah, cause we're all RICH!
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS405545195220090513

Wells Fargo

Why Governments Shouldn’t Run Banks
Excellent article about Hartmarx and Wells Fargo
http://executivesuite.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/why-governments-shouldnt-run-banks/?hp

Bank of America

BofA presses fired staff to give up right to sue
Screw them once, twice...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE54B4Y520090512

BB& T

BB&T to sell 75M shares at $20 each to raise $1.5B
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/13/ap6415215.html

BB&T announces full over-allotment option exercised in common stock offering

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-13-2009/0005025800&EDATE=

SunTrust

SunTrust on losing end of senior bankers’ migration patterns
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/suntrust-losing-end-senior-bankers%E2%80%99-migration-patterns

Wednesday Morning

General

Banks could lose more than stress tests show
Risks to BofA and other top lenders come from exotic bets on insurance-like derivative investments.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/business/story/721020.html
Bankers & Brokers Have Learned Nothing From the Current Crisis
http://seekingalpha.com/article/137315-bankers-brokers-have-learned-nothing-from-the-current-crisis
The Stress Test Placebo
http://www.reuters.com/article/bigMoney/idUS90635185720090512
Senators Cut Deal On Credit Card Bill
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051103192.html?wprss=rss_business
Implications of the Bank Stress Tests
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-j-elliott/implications-of-the-bank_b_202338.html
Bank Stress Test Allow Some Banks to Repay TARP
http://useconomy.about.com/b/2009/05/11/bank-stress-test-allow-some-banks-to-repay-tarp.htm
TREASURIES-Bonds ease on Bernanke stress-test relief
http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1230139720090512

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo: Now a Buy
http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2009/06/discovering_value.html
Wells Fargo is largest home lender in 1Q
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/05/12/wells-fargo-is-largest-home-lender-in-1q/

Bank of America

BofA, other U.S. banks scramble for capital
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1150611520090512
Will Bank of America IPO Merrill Lynch?
http://www.businessinsider.com/will-bank-of-america-ipo-merrill-lynch-2009-5

SunTrust

BB&T, SunTrust to raise capital through public offering after ‘stress test’
This headline doesn't sound accurate...
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/27628-bb-amp-t-suntrust-to-raise-capital-through-public-offering-after-lsquo-stress-test-rsquo
Bank Cards Reissued Due To Security Breach
http://www.wsmv.com/money/19441827/detail.html
3 to enter Richmond Business Hall of Fame
C.T. Hill
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/article/BBBB13_20090512-213827/267324/

Regions

Executive Appointments
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-business/executive-appointments-117

Bank Stock Picking Contest - Rules

As promised, these are the "final" rules for entering the contest. Rules have been updated from prior post.

Contest starts with stock prices as of close (4:00 pm) on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009. All entries will be due by 6:00 am Eastern Time on Wednesday morning, May 20th, 2009. Contestants will use $100,000 to pick 10 issues. Those issues will consist of the nine banks that are required to raise capital (excluding GMAC) plus one "real" bank from the list below that underwent the stress test. Therefore, your list must be made up of the following:

Bank of America; Citigroup; Wells Fargo; Fifth Third; KeyCorp; PNC Financial; Regions Financial; SunTrust; Morgan Stanley;

PLUS ONE of the following:

JP Morgan Chase
BB&T
US Bankcorp
Bank of New York Mellon

Because diversification is important, no one issue may have a greater allocation (at time of choosing) than 30%. No issue may have less than 3%. Final value of your allocation after 3 months and 1 week on the close of regular trading (4:00 pm) on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 will determine the winner. There will be no trading allowed of the issues between this time. Winner will receive a $100 cash prize for their efforts along with bragging rights.

ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS
ONE PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED
ALL DECISIONS MADE BY US ARE FINAL

If participation warrants, we will allow participants to re-allocate their portfolios at this time to participate in a second round of competition. There will be two winners consisting of best overall 6 months (approximately) performance and best second round (3 months) performance. If too many participants drop out of the 6 month competition, an overall 6 month contest will not be played. New (or old) participants will be eligible in the second round.

In order to play you must provide the following information. This information should be sent via email to Bankersforum@gmail.com.

• Names of Securities
• Allocation per security (in $ or % - must equal $100,000 or 100%)
• A return email address for communication purposes (create a new address if you don't want to use your real one).
• Your zip code or other singular identifying information. Prize money will be mailed only to this matching zip code or singular identity (paypal account for instance).
• The first two numbers of your home street address or P.O. Box (must also coordinate with the mailing address for prize money - not required if paypal or similar information is used).
• An alias name associated with your picks. We'll use this to communicate on our blog ongoing results and winner(s).

Once this information is provided, your picks will be available to others via Google Docs. NO personal information will be made public; only your alias and picks will be shown.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please write to us at bankersforum@gmail.com. GOOD LUCK!

Stressed Bank Stock Picking Contest

Open challenge for 3 and 6 months total returns for the banks that are required to raise capital. Prize money will be given for the winners!

Preliminary rules: Contest starts with stock prices as of close on Tuesday, May 19th. All entries will be due by 6:00 am Eastern Time on Wednesday morning, May 20th. Contestants will be use $100,000 to pick 10 issues. Those issues will consist of the nine banks that are required to raise capital (GMAC doesn't count) plus one "real" bank from the remaining 10 that underwent the stress test. Real bank does NOT include American Express, Capital One, GMAC (previously noted), Goldman Sachs, MetLife, or State Street Bank. Contestants will allocate their $100,000 amoung the 10 banks. However, because diversification is important, no one issue may have a greater allocation (at time of choosing) than 30%. No issue may have less than 3%. Results will be calculated 3 months later. More info later! Add any comments.

Friday Afternoon

Bank of America's plan to go it alone
http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/08/news/companies/bank_of_america_alone.fortune/?postversion=2009050814

Regions, Huntington, Capital One Soar
http://www.123jump.com/market-update/Regions,-Huntington,-Capital-One-Soar/32788/

Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo raise share sales
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article6251912.ece

Fifth Third soars 59 pct, tops stress-tested banks
http://uk.reuters.com/article/bankingfinancial-SP/idUKN0850213620090508