As inflation, tariffs, and geopolitical factors continue to weigh down the more growth-oriented holdings in my portfolio, I have been looking to allocate some additional funds to some of the underweight corners of my basket. Recently, I have spent someThe Low-Budget Dividend Investor is your prototypical Generation X-er: an over-educated, under-funded middle-aged guy looking for ways to increase his income in a difficult economic environment. He favors the conservative, income-generating strategies more fre ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Major Regional Banks industry is currently facing challenges related to poor asset quality and modest economic expansion, but potential improvements in net interest income (NII) and margins are anticipated once tariff uncertainties are resolved [1][5][7]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Major Regional Banks industry includes the largest banks in the U.S. by assets, with operations primarily on a global scale. Their financial performance is closely tied to the overall economic health of the nation [3]. - These banks offer a wide range of financial services beyond traditional banking, including credit and debit cards, mortgage banking, wealth management, and investment banking, which contribute significantly to their revenue through fees and commissions [4]. Key Themes Influencing the Industry - **Modest Rise in Loan Demand**: Economic concerns and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy have led to a modest rise in loan demand, with expectations for a slight increase in NII and net interest margin (NIM) [5][6]. - **Impact of Tariffs on Interest Rates**: The Fed's interest rate cuts and the anticipated rise in inflation to 2.8% for 2025 are expected to affect NII, but banks may benefit from lower deposit costs and improved lending conditions once tariff issues are resolved [6][7]. - **Restructuring Initiatives**: Major regional banks are focusing on business restructuring and digitization to enhance profitability and reduce reliance on spread income, with investments in technology and expansion into new markets [8][9]. Asset Quality Concerns - The industry is experiencing weak asset quality due to economic uncertainties and rising prices affecting clients' repayment abilities. Banks are building reserves to mitigate potential defaults [10][11]. Industry Performance and Valuation - The Zacks Major Regional Banks industry has outperformed the S&P 500, with a collective stock increase of 14.1% over the past year, compared to 9.1% for the S&P 500 [16]. - The industry currently has a trailing 12-month price-to-tangible book ratio (P/TBV) of 2.24X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 12.95X, indicating a discount relative to the broader market [18][19]. Notable Companies in the Industry - **U.S. Bancorp**: With a market cap of $66.7 billion, it has shown solid growth in loans and deposits, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate indicating earnings growth of 9.1% for 2025 [21][24]. - **BNY Mellon**: Operating in 35 countries, it has a market cap of $60 billion and is expected to see earnings growth of 15.4% for 2025, driven by new service launches and strategic acquisitions [25][28]. - **Truist Financial**: With a market cap of $54.1 billion, it is focusing on improving fee income and has a Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings growth of 8.4% for 2025 [30][33]. - **Northern Trust**: This company has a market cap of $19.3 billion and is expected to see earnings growth of 7.1% for 2025, supported by organic growth and effective expense management [35][38].

NEW YORK, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK) and certain of the Company’s senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in Bancorp, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/the-bancorp-inc. Investors have until May 16, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lea ...

Core Viewpoint - The Bancorp, Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with claims of misleading statements and undisclosed risks related to its commercial real estate bridge lending portfolio [1][3]. Company Overview - The Bancorp operates as a financial holding company for The Bancorp Bank, providing banking products and services in the United States [2]. Allegations of the Lawsuit - The lawsuit claims that The Bancorp underrepresented the risks associated with its commercial real estate bridge lending portfolio [3]. - It is alleged that the company's expected credit loss methodology was inadequate, leading to a likely increase in provisions for credit losses [3]. - The lawsuit points out material weaknesses in The Bancorp's internal controls over financial reporting and that its financial statements were not approved by independent auditors [3]. Impact of Reports and Financial Results - A report from Culper Research on March 21, 2024, suggested that The Bancorp's loan book was risky, causing the stock price to drop over 10% [4]. - Following the announcement of third-quarter 2024 financial results, which reported a net income of $51.5 million and an after-tax reduction in net income of $1.5 million due to increased provisions for credit losses, the stock price fell more than 14% [5]. - On March 4, 2025, The Bancorp disclosed that its Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, was filed inappropriately, leading to further declines in stock price [6]. Lead Plaintiff Process - The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 allows investors who purchased The Bancorp securities during the class period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit [7]. - The lead plaintiff represents the interests of all class members and can select a law firm for litigation [7]. Law Firm Background - Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is a leading law firm in securities fraud and shareholder litigation, having recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in 2024 alone [9].

NEW YORK, March 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces that a shareholder filed a class action on behalf of purchasers of securities of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK) securities between January 25, 2024 and March 4, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 16, 2025.So what: If you purchased The Bancorp securities during the Class P ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the performance and outlook of Community Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: CTBI) after a year since the last analysis, highlighting changes in the cost of deposits [1] - It emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis over technical analysis in evaluating company performance, particularly in the banking sector [1] - The author expresses a long-term investment perspective, focusing on the banking industry as a key indicator of economic health [1]

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NorthEast Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NECB) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend will be paid on or about May 6, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 7, 2025. “We are pleased to increase our quarterly dividend to shareholders,” said Kenneth A. Martinek, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “The payment ...

SAN DIEGO, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK) securities between January 25, 2024 and March 4, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until May 16, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of The Bancorp class action lawsuit.  Captioned Linden v. The Bancorp, Inc., No. 25-cv-00326 (D. Del.), The Bancorp class action lawsuit charges The Bancorp and certain of The Bancorp's top executi ...

It's been around six months since I last took a look at shares of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp ( OTCQX:FMCB ). For anybody new to this name, let me start by saying that thisI like to take a long term, buy-and-hold approach to investing, with a bias toward stocks that can sustainably post high quality earnings. Mostly found in the dividend and income section. Blog about various US/Canadian stocks at 'The Compound Investor', and predominantly UK names on 'The UK Income Investor'.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have ...

SAN FRANCISCO, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK) saw its shares plummet $2.35 on March 5, 2025, as investors grappled with the company’s startling admission that its recently filed financial statements should no longer be relied upon. This financial fumble, however, was not entirely unexpected, as it followed a prescient warning from short-seller Culper Research nearly a year earlier. Hagens Berman is now investigating whether possible securities laws violations have occurr ...