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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; Regional &#8211; Midwest Banks</title>
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	<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com</link>
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		<title>(CMA) Comerica Analyst Stays Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/20/cma-comerica-analyst-stays-neutral-on-shares/98408</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/20/cma-comerica-analyst-stays-neutral-on-shares/98408#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:18:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=98408</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have reaffirmed our Neutral recommendation on Comerica Inc. (CMA) based on its fundamentals, stress test clearance and the subsequent capital deployment efforts as well as the current economic environment. Fourth Quarter Results Comerica Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2011 operating earnings of 60 cents per share. However, the reported earnings included 12 cents per share of merger and restructuring charges related to the acquisition of Sterling Bancshares Inc. After considering this expense, net income attributable to common shares came in at 48 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents. Comerica’s results reflected a growth in net interest income and a decrease in loan loss provisions driven by an improvement in credit quality. However, a fall in non-interest income and a rise in expenses were on the downside. ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Maintain Neutral Rating</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/hban-huntington-bancshares-maintain-neutral-rating/97929</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/hban-huntington-bancshares-maintain-neutral-rating/97929#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:45:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=97929</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have reaffirmed our Neutral recommendation on Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) based on its fundamentals, the share buyback authorization and the recent acquisition of the Fidelity Bank. Fourth Quarter Result Huntington reported fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 14 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results were slightly down from 16 cents per share earned in the prior quarter but significantly ahead of the prior-year earnings of 5 cents per share. Earnings were positively influenced by higher net-interest revenues and lower non-interest expenses. Yet, a fall in fee income and a modest rise in provision for loan losses offset the positives. Fidelity Bank Acquisition In an effort to expand its footprint in Southeast Michigan, Huntington recently acquired Fidelity Bank in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) assisted deal. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/hban-huntington-bancshares-maintain-neutral-rating/97929/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Beats &#8211; Revenue Increases</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/18/hban-huntington-bancshares-beats-revenue-increases/98964</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/18/hban-huntington-bancshares-beats-revenue-increases/98964#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:13:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France Telecom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCF Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=98964</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After reporting an in line result in the prior quarter, Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) came up with better-than-expected results in the first quarter of 2012. The company reported earnings per share of 17 cents, 3 cents above the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results also compared favorably with earnings of 14 cents per share both in the prior quarter and the year-ago period. Results in the reported quarter includes one cent per share gain related to the recently announced Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-assisted purchase of Fidelity Bank in Dearborn, Michigan.  Moreover, it incorporates a negative impact of 2 cents per share for addition to its litigation reserves. Excluding such items, the company reported 18 cents per share in the quarter. Huntington’s earnings were marked by an improvement in its revenue, primarily ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/18/hban-huntington-bancshares-beats-revenue-increases/98964/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Corporation Increases Dividend</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-increases-dividend/95423</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-increases-dividend/95423#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:57:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=95423</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) increased its quarterly common stock dividend by 2 cents to 30 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on July 2, 2012 to shareholders of record as of June 8. The strength of Northern Trust’s business model reflects the company’s commitment towards returning value to the shareholders with its strong cash generation capabilities. Prior to this revision, the company had increased its quarterly dividend to 28 cents per share in December 2007, an increase of 12%. Northern Trust got the approval for its capital plan, which includes a hike in the quarterly dividend and the buyback of shares worth $240 million through March 2013. After receiving the regulatory nod, Northern Trust decided to hike dividend and board of directors approved a new common ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-increases-dividend/95423/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Michigan Bank Fails &#8211; 2012 Tally Hits 16</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/hban-michigan-bank-fails-2012-tally-hits-16/97488</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/hban-michigan-bank-fails-2012-tally-hits-16/97488#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:53:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=97488</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last Friday, the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation shuttered Dearborn-based Fidelity Bank, taking the number of failed U.S. banks thus far in 2012 to 16. This follows 92 bank failures in 2011, 157 in 2010, 140 in 2009 and 25 in 2008. While the financials of a few large banks continue to stabilize on the back of an economic recovery, the industry is still on shaky ground. The sector presents a picture similar to that of 2011, with nagging issues like depressed home prices along with still-high loan defaults and unemployment levels troubling such institutions. The lingering economic uncertainty and its effects also weigh on many banks. The need to absorb bad loans offered during the credit explosion has made these banks susceptible to severe problems. Fidelity Bank ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/04/hban-michigan-bank-fails-2012-tally-hits-16/97488/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp &#8211; Bull of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day-2/96104</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day-2/96104#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=96104</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on U.S. Bancorp (USB) to Outperform from Neutral based on its solid fundamentals in the midst of a challenging economic environment. The company&#8217;s fourth-quarter 2011 earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate due to growth in revenue and reduced credit costs. Top-line expansion was supported by increases in both net interest income and fee-based revenue. Its diverse revenue stream, improving credit quality and solid capital levels are impressive. Though a low interest rate environment and regulatory issues remain our concerns, we believe that the company&#8217;s loan growth will be encouraging and it will raise dividend and buyback shares following the stress test results. US BANCORP (USB): Free Stock Analysis Report View original at: Zacks Investment Research &#8211; All Commentary Articles]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day-2/96104/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp &#8211; Bull of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/21/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day/96006</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/21/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day/96006#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:56:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=96006</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on U.S. Bancorp (USB) to Outperform from Neutral based on its solid fundamentals in the midst of a challenging economic environment. The company&#8217;s fourth-quarter 2011 earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate due to growth in revenue and reduced credit costs. Top-line expansion was supported by increases in both net interest income and fee-based revenue. Its diverse revenue stream, improving credit quality and solid capital levels are impressive. Though a low interest rate environment and regulatory issues remain our concerns, we believe that the company&#8217;s loan growth will be encouraging and it will raise dividend and buyback shares following the stress test results. US BANCORP (USB): Free Stock Analysis Report View original at: Zacks Investment Research &#8211; All Commentary Articles]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/21/usb-u-s-bancorp-bull-of-the-day/96006/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Offers Senior Notes</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-offers-senior-notes/94390</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-offers-senior-notes/94390#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:15:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deutsche Bank AG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liberty All Star Equity Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=94390</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last Friday, Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) announced the public offering of its senior notes worth $500 million. The 10-year senior notes bear a coupon rate of 3.5% and were sold at 99.306% of the principal amount. Fifth Third expects the offering to complete on March 7, 2012, subject to customary closing conditions. The joint book-running managers for the offering are Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a unit of Deutsche Bank AG (DB), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC a division of JPMorgan Chase &#38; Co. (JPM), and Morgan Stanley &#38; Co. LLC, a part of Morgan Stanley (MS). Senior co-managers for the offering are Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. The notes for the offering are senior unsecured obligations of Fifth Third and are assigned an &#8216;A-&#8217; by Fitch ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/03/07/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-offers-senior-notes/94390/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp to Buy Trust Business</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/06/usb-u-s-bancorp-to-buy-trust-business/91287</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/06/usb-u-s-bancorp-to-buy-trust-business/91287#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:30:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MTU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UMB Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UMBF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=91287</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) is making a strategic acquisition for its institutional trust and custody division. The company through its lead bank, U.S. Bank National Association, has entered into a definitive agreement to buy from Union Bank, N.A. its institutional trust business that offers services to retirement plans, labor management trusts and registered investment advisors. Union Bank is a subsidiary of UnionBanCal Corp., which is owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (MTU). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is a strategic fit for both U.S. Bancorp and Union Bank. For U.S. Bancorp, the acquisition will bring in approximately 4,300 client relationships representing $42 billion in assets under administration. The purchase will expand the company’s footprint and boost its market share in retirement plan, labor management trust and registered ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/06/usb-u-s-bancorp-to-buy-trust-business/91287/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bank Failures Hit 7 So Far in 2012</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bank-failures-hit-7-so-far-in-2012/91074</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bank-failures-hit-7-so-far-in-2012/91074#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:17:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=91074</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last Friday, four more banks were shuttered by U.S. regulators. The failed banks were based in Florida, Tennessee and Minnesota. This brings the total number of bank failures to 7 so far in 2012, following 92 in 2011, 157 in 2010, 140 in 2009 and 25 in 2008. While the financials of a few large banks have been stabilizing on the back of an economic recovery, the industry is still on shaky ground. Nagging issues like depressed home prices along with still-high loan defaults and unemployment levels continue to trouble such institutions. Lingering economic uncertainly and its effects also continue to weigh on many banks. The need to absorb bad loans offered during the credit explosion has made these banks susceptible to severe problems. Further, the repeated risk-taking of bailed-out ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bank-failures-hit-7-so-far-in-2012/91074/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Acquires BankEast</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bancorp-acquires-bankeast/91075</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bancorp-acquires-bankeast/91075#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:07:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=91075</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) is focused on expanding its business through acquisitions. The company’s lead bank, U.S. Bank National Association, acquired the banking operations of BankEast, a subsidiary of BankEast Corporation, in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) assisted deal. It is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. What’s the Deal? As part of the transaction, approximately $272 million worth of assets and $268 million of insured and uninsured depositsof BankEast, would be acquired by U.S. Bank. Also, the deal is designed as a bank purchase and assumption transaction en masse without a loss share agreement. An extensive credit due diligence was conducted by U.S. Bank, and ultimately BankEast was bought for an asset discount of approximately $67.5 million. Last Friday, BankEast was closed by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, and FDIC ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/02/03/usb-u-s-bancorp-acquires-bankeast/91075/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Acquires Omnium</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-omnium/80305</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-omnium/80305#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:21:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State Street Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=80305</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last Friday, Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) completed the acquisition of Omnium LLC, a leading hedge fund administrator, from Citadel. The acquisition of Omnium, which has around $70 billion in assets under administration, will enhance Northern Trust’s capabilities and create an industry-leading hedge fund administration platform for institutional investors. Omnium will be integrated into Northern Trust’s Corporate &#38; Institutional Services business unit as Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, LLC. It will provide comprehensive administrative and middle office services including trade processing, valuation, real-time reporting, cash management, accounting, collateral management and investor servicing to hedge funds and large institutional investors. Northern Trust has made investments in businesses to serve its clients in the U.S. and around the world uninterruptedly. In December 2010, the company announced the acquisition of Waterline Partners, a top ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-omnium/80305/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MI) Bank of Montreal Completes Marshall &amp; Ilsley Acquisition</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/06/mi-bank-of-montreal-completes-marshall-ilsley-acquisition/78463</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/06/mi-bank-of-montreal-completes-marshall-ilsley-acquisition/78463#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:34:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of Montreal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marshall & Ilsley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MI]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78463</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The acquisition of Marshall &#38; Ilsley Corporation (MI) by Bank of Montreal (BMO) finally drew to a close on Tuesday, following BMO’s repayment of $1.715 billion of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) money that M&#38;I had borrowed from the U.S. Treasury in 2008. Along with this repayment, which was a part of the acquisition deal, BMO also purchased $3.3 million worth of warrants that were issued to the U.S. Treasury by M&#38;I and paid $11.9 million as accrued dividends. The acquired M&#38;I offices (about 190 in total) would be renamed as BMO Harris Bank, after BMO integrates it with Chicago-based Harris Bank, which BMO owns. The integration will likely take nearly 18 months. Furthermore, M&#38;I’s Chairman and CEO, Mark Furlong, has been named as the president and CEO of BMO ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/06/mi-bank-of-montreal-completes-marshall-ilsley-acquisition/78463/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Analyst Stays Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-analyst-stays-neutral/77934</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-analyst-stays-neutral/77934#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:34:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77934</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) following a detailed analysis of the company’s fundamentals, strengths and weaknesses in the context of the current economic environment. Fifth Third’s first quarter 2011 earnings of 10 cents per share were significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents per share. The results were affected by lower net interest income and non-interest income, partially compensated by better-than-expected improvement in credit metrics and lower operating expenses. Net income decreased by $153 million or 17 cents per share of discount accretion recorded in preferred dividends, which increased due to the repurchase of $3.4 billion under the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program  in February. Going forward, we believe that Fifth Third is well positioned to benefit from a rebound in economic conditions ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-analyst-stays-neutral/77934/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Analyst Stays Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-stays-neutral-on-shares/77771</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-stays-neutral-on-shares/77771#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:44:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[V]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visa Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77771</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) based on favorable acquisition spree and global expansions of the company. In May 2011, Northern Trust agreed to acquire Omnium LLC, a leading hedge fund administrator, from Citadel. The acquisition of Omnium, which has around $70 billion in assets under administration, will enhance Northern Trust’s capabilities and create an industry-leading hedge fund administration platform for institutional investors. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and is expected to close by the third quarter of 2011. Northern would pay at least $100 million for this acquisition. Omnium will be integrated into Northern Trust’s Corporate &#38; Institutional Services business unit as Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, LLC. It will provide comprehensive administrative and middle office services including ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-stays-neutral-on-shares/77771/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Upgraded</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-upgraded/77468</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-upgraded/77468#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:22:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have upgraded our recommendation on Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) to Neutral from Underperform on the back of fundamentals, better-than-expected first quarter 2011 results, current economic environment and the recent credit trends. Huntington Bancshares reported first quarter 2011 earnings of 15 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 12 cents. However, after including a one-time addition to litigation reserves, Huntington reported a profit of $126.4 million or 14 cents per share. This compares favorably with $122.9 million or 5 cents per share earned in the prior quarter and $39.7 million or 1 cent in the year-ago quarter. Huntington’s better-than-expected earnings reflected a significant improvement in credit quality, a modest growth in loans and deposits, increase in net interest margin and low levels of non-interest expenses. However, the company’s top line ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-upgraded/77468/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MI) Marshall &amp; Ilsley Corporation and Bank of Montreal Merger Gets Regulatory Nod</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/mi-marshall-ilsley-corporation-and-bank-of-montreal-merger-gets-regulatory-nod/77123</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/mi-marshall-ilsley-corporation-and-bank-of-montreal-merger-gets-regulatory-nod/77123#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:16:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of Montreal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marshall & Ilsley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MI]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77123</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marshall &#38; Ilsley Corporation (MI) and Bank of Montreal (BMO) merger deal is right on track for completion, following the final regulatory approval on Tuesday. With this regulatory nod, the parties have finally garnered all necessary approvals required to complete the merger. With regard to this, BMO stated that its plan to proceed with common share offering to finance MI merger has been shelved because of its strong capital position. The deal is now expected to close on July 5. In May, the shareholders of MI approved the merger deal with BMO. The U.S. Treasury Department also provided a proxy giving their assent to the merger as it holds the Senior Preferred Stock of the company. MI’s merger with BMO, an all-stock transaction valued at $4.1 billion, was announced in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/mi-marshall-ilsley-corporation-and-bank-of-montreal-merger-gets-regulatory-nod/77123/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Acquires BoISS</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/14/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-boiss/75417</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/14/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-boiss/75417#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:55:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Governor and Company of The Bank of Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=75417</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) announced the completion of its acquisition of Bank of Ireland Securities Services (BoISS) from Bank of Ireland Group for €60 million ($82 million). In February 2011, Northern Trust announced its plan to acquire the fund administration, investment operations outsourcing and custody business of the Bank of Ireland Group (IRE). Northern Trust is now expected to combine the fund administration business with its existing activities in Ireland. The acquisition will improve and expand Northern Trust’s Global Fund Service capabilities, particularly in the field fund administration and ETFs. BoISS includes the fund administration, investment operations outsourcing and custody business of the Bank of Ireland Group. Dublin-based BoISS is the largest Irish-owned asset administration provider of specialized and client-driven services to a broad range of funds, including ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/14/ntrs-northern-trust-acquires-boiss/75417/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Looks To Be On An Acquisition Spree</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/06/ntrs-northern-trust-looks-to-be-on-an-acquisition-spree/74426</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/06/ntrs-northern-trust-looks-to-be-on-an-acquisition-spree/74426#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:20:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State Street Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=74426</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) is on an acquisition spree. The latest acquisition that the company has agreed to is that of Omnium LLC, a leading hedge fund administrator, from Citadel. The acquisition of Omnium, which has around $70 billion in assets under administration, will enhance Northern Trust’s capabilities and create an industry-leading hedge fund administration platform for institutional investors. The deal is subject to regulatory approvalsand customary closing conditions, and is expected to close by the third quarter of 2011. Northern would pay at least $100 million for this acquisition and according to its spokesman, the purchase price could go over $100 million as it would correlate with Omnium’s performance. Omnium will be integrated into Northern Trust’s Corporate &#38; Institutional Services business unit as Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services, LLC. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/06/ntrs-northern-trust-looks-to-be-on-an-acquisition-spree/74426/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Redeems 8.875% Trust Preferred Securities</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/29/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-redeems-8-875-trust-preferred-securities/75078</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/29/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-redeems-8-875-trust-preferred-securities/75078#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 May 2011 22:09:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=75078</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) announced that according to a notice issued by the company to the trustee of Fifth Third Capital Trust VII on May 16, 2011, the 8.875% trust preferred securities (TRUPs) should be redeemed by June 15, 2011. As per Fifth Third, each Trust Preferred Security will be redeemed at cash redemption price of $25.18. The certificates related to TRUPs are dated May 6, 2008 and represents 16,000,000 8.875% Trust Preferred Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust VII worth $400 million to be redeemed. The redemptions will be funded with excess cash currently available with Fifth Third. TRUPs were listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol FTBPRC. On May 17, 2011, NYSE was informed about the redemption, whereas a day after ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Trade Deficit Up on Foreign Oil Addiction</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/11/usb-u-s-trade-deficit-up-on-foreign-oil-addiction/73858</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/11/usb-u-s-trade-deficit-up-on-foreign-oil-addiction/73858#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 00:47:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[APA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Apache Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chesapeake Energy Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevron Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CHK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[commodities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ECA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encana Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Electric Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marathon Oil Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MDT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medtronic Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MRO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NovaGold Resources Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Siemens AG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wal-Mart Stores Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WMT]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=73858</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Trade Deficit rose in March to $48.18 billion from $45.44 billion in January (revised down from $45.76 billion. The rise in the trade deficit is bad news for the economy, and the level is very dangerous. For the month it was up 6.0%, and it was worse than the $47.7 billion consensus expectation. On a year-over-year basis, the total trade deficit was up 21.9% from $39.51 billion a year ago. The trade balance has two major parts: trade in goods and trade in services. America’s problem is always on the goods side; we actually routinely have a small surplus in services. Relative to February, the goods deficit rose to $62.11 billion from $59.10 billion. That is a month-to-month increase of 5.1%. Relative to a year ago, the goods deficit ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/11/usb-u-s-trade-deficit-up-on-foreign-oil-addiction/73858/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Analyst Upgrades Shares to Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/05/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-neutral/73383</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/05/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-neutral/73383#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2011 01:40:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Provident Financial Services Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[V]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visa Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=73383</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have upgraded our recommendation on Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) to Neutral from Underperform attributed to synergies expected from the recent acquisitions. In April, Northern Trust reported first-quarter 2011 earnings of 59 cents per share, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents. The decrease was attributable to low interest rate environment, which in turn, negatively affected net interest margin. In the reported quarter, earnings per share benefited from the reduction of an indemnification liability related to Visa Inc. (V). The related pre-tax expense reduction summed up to $10.1 million ($6.4 million after tax, or 2 cents per share). Despite the current sluggish environment, the company has made further investments in businesses to continue to serve the clients in the U.S. and around the world. In Personal Financial ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/05/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-neutral/73383/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MI) Marshall &amp; Ilsley Reports High Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/02/mi-marshall-ilsley-reports-high-loss/72942</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/02/mi-marshall-ilsley-reports-high-loss/72942#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 02:22:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of Montreal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marshall & Ilsley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=72942</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marshall &#38; Ilsley Corporation’s (MI) first quarter 2011 loss of 27 cents per share exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimated loss of 18 cents but was in line with the prior-year quarter result. M&#38;I’s results for the reported quarter suffered mainly due to lower net interest income and non-interest income. However, decrease in non-interest expenses and provision for loan and lease losses were the positives. Also, the company’s credit quality showed mixed results during the quarter. M&#38;I’s first quarter net loss came in at $142.0 million as against $140.5 million reported in the comparable period last year. Quarter in Detail M&#38;I’s total revenue for the reported quarter stood at $538.6 million, down 14.6% from $630.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Total revenue also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $565.0 million. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/02/mi-marshall-ilsley-reports-high-loss/72942/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Earnings Report Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/27/ntrs-northern-trust-earnings-report-estimates/71917</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/27/ntrs-northern-trust-earnings-report-estimates/71917#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:54:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation’s (NTRS) first-quarter 2011 earnings of 59 cents per share were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents per share. The decrease was attributable to a persistently low interest rate environment, which in turn, negatively affected net interest margin. In the first quarter of 2011, earnings per share benefited from the reduction of an indemnification liability related to Visa Inc. (Visa). The related pre-tax expense reduction summed up to $10.1 million ($6.4 million after tax, or 2 cents per common share). In the prior quarter and prior-year quarter, the company reported a profit of 59 cents and 64 cents per share, respectively.  Operating income reported was $144.6 million compared with a net income of $144.2 million in the prior-year quarter and $157.1 million in the prior quarter. ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Quarterly Report Beats &#8211; Provision for Credit Losses Declined</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/usb-u-s-bancorp-quarterly-report-beats-provision-for-credit-losses-declined/71913</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/usb-u-s-bancorp-quarterly-report-beats-provision-for-credit-losses-declined/71913#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71913</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) has topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company reported first quarter 2011 earnings attributable to common shareholders of $1,003 million or 52 cents per share, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents. Results also compare favorably with earnings of 49 cents in the prior quarter and 34 cents in the year-ago quarter. Notably, first quarter 2011 results included a $46 million gain related to the acquisition of First Community Bank of New Mexico (FCB) in a transaction with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Excluding that gain, earnings came in at 50 cents per share. Quarterly results at U.S. Bancorp reflected an improvement in credit metrics. Provision for credit losses declined in the quarter. The company also posted a growth in revenue, which, however, narrowly ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/usb-u-s-bancorp-quarterly-report-beats-provision-for-credit-losses-declined/71913/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Comerica Quarterly Numbers Outpace Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/20/cma-comerica-quarterly-numbers-outpace-estimates/71912</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/20/cma-comerica-quarterly-numbers-outpace-estimates/71912#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:39:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KEY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KeyCorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[M&T Bank Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MTB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71912</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated (CMA) reported first quarter 2011 net income of 57 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents and improving from the prior-quarter figure of 53 cents. However, earnings saw a striking year-over-year improvement from a loss of 46 cents. The year-over-year improvement in the results reflected the increase in non-interest income and net interest margin, partially offset by higher non-interest expenses and lower net interest income. Furthermore, a significant improvement in credit quality also acted as a positive catalyst. Net income attributed to common shareholders of Comerica totaled $102 million compared with a net loss of $71 million in the first quarter of 2010 and net income of $95 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Performance in Detail Total revenue in the quarter was ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/20/cma-comerica-quarterly-numbers-outpace-estimates/71912/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S.Bancorp 2011 First Quarter Earnings Preview</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/usb-u-s-bancorp-2011-first-quarter-earnings-preview/71212</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/usb-u-s-bancorp-2011-first-quarter-earnings-preview/71212#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:02:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71212</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S.Bancorp (USB) is scheduled to report its first quarter 2011 earnings results before market opens on April 19. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter is earnings of 49 cents per share, up from 34 cents earned in the year-earlier quarter. For full year 2011, the Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.15 per share, representing a 25.7% increase from the prior-year earnings of $1.71 per share. The full year 2012 earnings estimate is currently $2.60 per share. In March this year, U.S. Bancorp’s board of directors approved an increase of 150% in the dividend rate on its common stock. On an annual basis, the dividend comes to 50 cents per share or 12.5 cents per share on a quarterly basis. The increased dividend for the quarter will be paid ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/usb-u-s-bancorp-2011-first-quarter-earnings-preview/71212/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Analyst Downgrades Shares To Underperform</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/03/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-downgrades-shares-to-underperform/70417</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/03/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-downgrades-shares-to-underperform/70417#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:28:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Provident Financial Services Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=70417</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have downgraded our recommendation on Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) to Underperform from Neutral, as the current operating environment is putting pressure on earnings. Though we expect the company to benefit from rising interest rates, more visibility is needed to get positive on the stock. In January, NTRS’s fourth-quarter earnings of 64 cents per share were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents. The decrease was due to a low interest rate, which in turn negatively affected net interest income and trust fees. NTRS’s net interest margin (NIM) has been shrinking for the past eight quarters. NIM is expected to remain under pressure driven by the low interest rate environment amid weakening industry-wide credit trends. We also expect the company to suffer from weak loan demand in several of the markets ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/03/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-downgrades-shares-to-underperform/70417/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Announces Higher Dividend</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/23/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-announces-higher-dividend/69584</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/23/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-announces-higher-dividend/69584#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:06:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=69584</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp’s (FITB) board of directors increased the cash dividend to 6 cents per share on its common stock. First quarter 2011 cash dividend of 6 cents represents an increase of 5 cents from Fifth Third&#8217;s previous quarterly dividend of 1 cent, an increase of 500%. The increased dividend will be payable on April 21,to shareholders of record as of April 1. The strength of Fifth Third’s business model reflects the company’s commitment to return value to shareholders with its strong cash generation capabilities. Prior to this revision, the company reduced its quarterly dividend twice in 2008. Firstly, the dividend was slashed by 65.9% (from 44 cents to 15 cents per share), and was later inched down to a penny. In January 2011, Fifth Third submitted a capital plan ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/23/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-announces-higher-dividend/69584/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Announces Increased Dividend &#8211; Plans Share Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-increased-dividend-plans-share-buyback/69376</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-increased-dividend-plans-share-buyback/69376#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:02:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=69376</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Friday,U.S. Bancorp’s (USB) board of directors approved an increase of 150% in the dividend rateon its common stock. On an annual basis, the dividend comes to 50 cents per share, or 12.5 cents per share on a quarterly basis. The increased dividend for the quarter will be paid on April 15 to shareholders of record as of March 31. The board of directors also approved USB’s share repurchase authorization of 50 million of its outstanding common stock. The new authorization replaced the company’s share repurchase authorization of 20 million shares announced in December 2010. Through December 2011, the shares can be repurchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Additionally, USB’s board of directors declared preferred dividends on Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock. Moreover, semi-annual dividend is declared ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-increased-dividend-plans-share-buyback/69376/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Analyst Maintains Shares At Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/usb-u-s-bancorp-analyst-maintains-shares-at-neutral/67738</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/usb-u-s-bancorp-analyst-maintains-shares-at-neutral/67738#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:48:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=67738</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are reiterating our Neutral recommendation on the shares of U.S. Bancorp (USB) following the company’s fourth quarter and full year earnings release as well as its recent acquisitions. Our analysis is based on the company’s fundamentals, recent strategic acquisitions, threats, challenges and current economic trend. U.S. Bancorp’s fourth quarter earnings came in at 47 cents per share, a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, reflecting improved revenues from business growth initiatives, including acquisitions. Credit metrics also showed improvements. Yet, these positives were partially offset by an increase in expenses. U.S. Bancorp is also focused on expanding its business through acquisitions. Toward the end of the last month, its lead bank U.S. Bank acquired banking operations of First Community Bank (New Mexico), a subsidiary of First State Bancorporation, in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/04/usb-u-s-bancorp-analyst-maintains-shares-at-neutral/67738/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Corporation Buys Bank of Ireland Securities Services</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/02/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-buys-bank-of-ireland-securities-services/67770</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/02/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-buys-bank-of-ireland-securities-services/67770#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:12:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State Street Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Governor and Company of The Bank of Ireland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=67770</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) announced the acquisition of Bank of Ireland Securities Services (BOISS) for $82 million (€60 million). BOISS, the fund administration unit of Bank of Ireland (IRE), comprise the fund administration, investment operations outsourcing and custody business of the bank. Dublin-based BOISS is the largest Irish-owned asset administration provider of specialised, client-driven services to a broad range of funds, including mutual money-market, multi-manager, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and property funds, serving both the on-shore and off-shore markets. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011, depending on applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Through this acquisition, Northern Trust expects to combine the fund administration business with existing activities in Ireland and continue to provide the outstanding consumer service and solutions to ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/02/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-buys-bank-of-ireland-securities-services/67770/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Fourth Quarter Earnings Report Lags Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/ntrs-northern-trust-fourth-quarter-earnings-report-lags-estimates/65409</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/ntrs-northern-trust-fourth-quarter-earnings-report-lags-estimates/65409#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:02:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[V]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visa Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=65409</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation’s (NTRS) fourth quarter earnings of 64 cents per share were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents per share. The decrease was attributable to low interest rate environment, which in turn, was negatively affected by net interest income and trust fees. In the fourth quarter of 2010, earnings per share benefited from the reduction of an indemnification liability related to Visa Inc. (V). The related pre-tax expense reduction summed up to $20.3 million ($12.9 million after tax, or $.05 per common share). Last year, the company reported a profit of 82 cents per share and 64 cents in the prior quarter.  Net income reported was $157.1 million compared with net income of $200.3 million in the prior-year quarter and $155.6 million in the prior quarter. For ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/ntrs-northern-trust-fourth-quarter-earnings-report-lags-estimates/65409/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Reports Fourth Quarter 2010 Earnings In line With Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-fourth-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line-with-estimates/65406</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-fourth-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line-with-estimates/65406#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:02:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=65406</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) reported fourth quarter 2010 earnings attributable to common shareholders of $974 million or 49 cents per share. However, excluding significant items, earnings came in at 46 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Quarterly results of U.S. Bancorp’s reflected growth in revenues, as a result of the business growth initiatives taken by the company, including acquisitions. Credit metrics also showed improvements. However, the positives were partially offset by an increase in expenses. Fourth quarter 2010 results included a $103 million gain ($41 million after-tax) from the exchange of the long-term asset management business of FAF Advisors, Inc. an affiliate of the company, for an equity interest in Nuveen Investments and cash consideration. Moreover, the results include a provision for credit losses lower than net ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/24/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-fourth-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line-with-estimates/65406/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Approach TARP Repayment</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/21/hban-huntington-bancshares-approach-tarp-repayment/63119</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/21/hban-huntington-bancshares-approach-tarp-repayment/63119#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:04:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First Horizon National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=63119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) is inching closer to the repayment of the bailout money it received under the U.S. Government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Last Friday, the company concluded its equity and debt offerings with the intent of paying back the TARP loan by December. Huntington completed its public offering of around 146 million shares at $6.30 per share generating gross proceeds of $920 billion. Huntington also completed the public offer of $300 million in principal amount of its 7.0% Subordinated Notes due 2020. Huntington would use the net proceeds coupled with other available funds to repurchase $1.4 billion of Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock the bank had issued to the U.S. Treasury under TARP. The time of repurchase would, however, depend on the authorization of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/21/hban-huntington-bancshares-approach-tarp-repayment/63119/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Federal Reserve Devises Dividend Increase Plan</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/18/cma-federal-reserve-devises-dividend-increase-plan/59880</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/18/cma-federal-reserve-devises-dividend-increase-plan/59880#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:07:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=59880</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the doubling of dividend and share buyback announcement by Comerica Inc. (CMA), the Federal Reserve has devised guidelines that it would follow to grant banks, that undergone stress test in 2009, the permission to increase dividends and buy back shares. The Fed plans to start reviewing the payout requests from the U.S. banks in the first quarter of 2011. It has laid down guidelines on which it will base its decision of approval. A Tier 1 common equity ratio of 5% needs to be maintained after any such payouts. Additionally, the companies must repay or replace any sort of government bailouts, either through preferred or common stock, before opting for such payouts. Moreover, they need to prove that their capital levels are sufficient to absorb losses from any adverse ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/18/cma-federal-reserve-devises-dividend-increase-plan/59880/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Announces Aquisition of Bank of America Unit</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-aquisition-of-bank-of-america-unit/59585</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-aquisition-of-bank-of-america-unit/59585#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=59585</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an effort to expand its corporate trust business, U.S. Bancorp’s (USB) lead bank, U.S. Bank, has entered into an agreement to acquire Bank of America Corp.’s (BAC) U.S and Europe-based securitization trust administration businesses. The deal involves a cash purchase price of up to $35 million and would add revenues of more than $100 million. The deal, which is expected to close next month, is subject to regulatory approval and would require the third quarter of 2011 for integration. It is expected to be accretive to U.S. Bancorp’s earnings post conversion in 2012. The company anticipates incurring one-time merger expenses of approximately $40 million to $45 million. The deal is expected to have a minimal impact on Tier 1 common ratio. Deal Benefits The deal offers U.S. Bancorp an ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/usb-u-s-bancorp-announces-aquisition-of-bank-of-america-unit/59585/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Comerica 2010 Third Quarter Earnings Lags Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/cma-comerica-2010-third-quarter-earnings-lags-estimates/55944</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/cma-comerica-2010-third-quarter-earnings-lags-estimates/55944#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:50:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=55944</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated (CMA) reported third-quarter 2010 net income of 33 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents and lower than prior quarter by 6 cents. However, results were far ahead of the prior-year quarter, as third-quarter 2009 had incurred a loss of 10 cents. Results reflected decrease in net interest income, non interest income, net interest margin and higher non-interest expenses. However, improvement in credit quality was a positive catalyst. Net income attributable to common shareholders of Comerica totaled $59 million, compared with a net loss of $16 million in the third quarter of 2009 and net income of $69 million in the second quarter of 2010. Quarter in Detail Net interest income improved approximately 5% year over year to $404 million in the third quarter ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/cma-comerica-2010-third-quarter-earnings-lags-estimates/55944/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Comerica Doubles Dividend &#8211; Declares Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/cma-comerica-doubles-dividend-declares-buyback/59686</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/17/cma-comerica-doubles-dividend-declares-buyback/59686#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:35:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=59686</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Comerica Inc. (CMA) is boosting investors’ confidence by doubling its dividend and announcing a share repurchase authorization. The dividend, which increased to 10 cents from 5 cents paid in the prior quarter, is payable on January 1, 2011, to common shareholders of record December 15, 2010. The board of directors of Comerica also authorized a share repurchase of 12.6 million or around 7% of the outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2010. In addition, the board has authorized outstanding warrants to purchase up to another 11.5 million shares. This authorization will replace the company’s previous share repurchase programs. This is welcome news and we expect larger banks such as JPMorgan Chase &#38; Co. (JPM), U.S. Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo &#38; Co. (WFC) to announce dividend increases in the ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Earnings Beat The Street</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/usb-u-s-bancorp-earnings-beat-the-street/55940</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/usb-u-s-bancorp-earnings-beat-the-street/55940#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:03:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=55940</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) reported third quarter 2010 earnings attributable to common shareholders of $871 million or 45 cents per share, two cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents. The results also compare favorably with the prior quarter’s earnings of $862 million or 45 cents per share and the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $583 million or 30 cents per share. The improvement in U.S. Bancorp’s earnings primarily stemmed from a strong growth in revenues, reflecting the business growth initiatives taken by the company Incorporatedluding acquisitions. Credit metrics also showed improvements. U.S. Bancorp also reported a decrease in provision for credit losses, both sequentially and year over year with both net charge-offs and nonperforming assets revealing a declining trend. Provision for credit losses was $995 million, down 12.6% sequentially ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/usb-u-s-bancorp-earnings-beat-the-street/55940/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Earnings Beat Wall Street Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-earnings-beat-wall-street-estimates/56074</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-earnings-beat-wall-street-estimates/56074#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:16:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=56074</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) reported a third quarter 2010 profit of $100.9 million or 10 cents per share, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 6 cents. This also compares favorably with earnings of $48.8 million or 3 cents a share in the prior quarter and a net loss of $166.2 million or 33 cents in the year-ago quarter. The better-than-expected results were primarily driven by a significant reduction in loan loss provisions and better-than-expected growth in revenue. Nonperforming assets and net charge-offs declined while capital ratios also strengthened. Total revenue was $679.7 million, up 1% from the prior quarter and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $656 million reflecting increase in fully-taxable equivalent net interest income. Credit Quality Credit metrics continued to show improvements at Huntington. The company ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/26/hban-huntington-bancshares-earnings-beat-wall-street-estimates/56074/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Quarterly Earnings Report Lags Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/22/ntrs-northern-trust-quarterly-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56055</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/22/ntrs-northern-trust-quarterly-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56055#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:02:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[State Street Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=56055</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation’s(NTRS) third quarter earnings of 64 cents per share were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents per share, attributed to low interest rate environment and lingering economic recovery. Last year, the company reported a gain of 77 cents per share and 82 cents in the prior quarter.  Net income reported was $155.6 million compared with net income of $187.9 million in the prior-year quarter $199.6 million in the prior quarter. Quarter in Detail Net interest income totaled $243.0 million, down 2% year over year. Net Interest margin (NIM) was 1.44%, down from 1.54% in the prior-year quarter. The decline in NIM and the resulting impact on net interest income is a result of the significant drop in interest rates. Non-interest income declined 3% year over year ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/22/ntrs-northern-trust-quarterly-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56055/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HBAN) Huntington Bancshares Analyst Reiterates Shares at Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/03/hban-huntington-bancshares-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/49415</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/10/03/hban-huntington-bancshares-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/49415#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Oct 2010 05:50:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=49415</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are reiterating our Neutral recommendation on Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN) following the company’s earnings release. The reaffirmation is based on the company’s business model, strategic initiatives, credit environment, opportunities and challenges. Second Quarter Performance Huntington reported a profit of $48.8 million or 3 cents per share, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a break-even quarter. The better-than-expected results were primarily driven by a significant reduction in loan loss provisions. However, the reported quarter’s results were negatively impacted by $75.5 million (7 cents per share) of Franklin-related charge-offs. This relationship was inherited as a result of the acquisition of Sky Financial. With a sign of decline in the values of the collateral supporting the Franklin loans and as part of the company’s strategy of de-risking its balance sheet, Huntington ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Corporation &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-bear-of-the-day/52674</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-bear-of-the-day/52674#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:21:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=52674</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have downgraded the recommendation for Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) to Underperform from Neutral given uncertain prospects related to changes within the financial services industry and regulatory environment. Low interest rates continue to restrain earnings, impacting net interest income and securities lending fees. Moreover, the recent Dodd-Frank Act will ring in numerous regulatory changes over the next several years. Our six-month target price of $44.00 per share equates to about 15.2x our estimate for 2010. Combined with the $1.12 per share annual dividend, this target price implies an expected negative return of 8.0% over that period. NORTHERN TRUST (NTRS): Free Stock Analysis Report Zacks Investment Research]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-corporation-bear-of-the-day/52674/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(NTRS) Northern Trust Analyst Lowers Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-lowers-shares/52693</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-lowers-shares/52693#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:21:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NTRS]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=52693</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have downgraded our recommendation for Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS) to “Underperform” from “Neutral”, given the low interest rate environment and the uncertain prospects related to changes within the financial services industry and the regulatory background. Northern Trust’s second quarter earnings of 78 cents per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents, reflecting a somewhat improved market and new business. However, the low interest rate continues to restrain Northern Trust’s earnings, impacting net interest income and securities lending fees. Net interest margin has shrunk over the past six quarters. As the low interest rate environment is expected to persist, we expect interest margin to remain under pressure. Additionally, Northern Trust continued to experience asset quality pressure, witnessed by an increase in nonperforming assets. In fact, the company continues ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/24/ntrs-northern-trust-analyst-lowers-shares/52693/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Comerica Analyst Reaffirms Stock&#8217;s Neutral Rating</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/30/cma-comerica-analyst-reaffirms-stocks-neutral-rating/49869</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/30/cma-comerica-analyst-reaffirms-stocks-neutral-rating/49869#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:48:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HBAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Huntington Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=49869</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have reaffirmed our Neutral recommendation on the shares of Comerica Inc. (CMA) following the company’s earnings release, quarterly filing and the regulatory moves. The reaffirmation is based on the company’s fundamentals, growth opportunities, credit environment and challenges in a post regulatory environment. Comerica has turned to profit in the second quarter of 2010 after reporting losses for several quarters. The company’s results also outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Credit metrics improved during the quarter, with significant declines in net charge-offs and provision for loan losses. The company also reported an increase in interest margin in the quarter. Comerica focuses on expanding its foothold in the Western and Sun Belt markets, opening banking centers in Orange County, Los Angeles, the San Francisco area, southern Florida and northern Texas. Additionally, cost ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CMA) Another Strong Earnings Season &#8211; The Dog That Didn&#8217;t Bark? &#8211; Earnings Trends</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/cma-another-strong-earnings-season-the-dog-that-didnt-bark-earnings-trends/46410</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/cma-another-strong-earnings-season-the-dog-that-didnt-bark-earnings-trends/46410#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:03:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Capital One Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CMA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comerica Incorporated]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[F]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ford Motor Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Halliburton Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[markets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Valero Energy Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VLO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=46410</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Key Points: Second quarter earnings season shaping up as a very strong one. So far 66.6% of firms reporting (333). Surprise ratio 4.63 with a 6.12% median surprise. Total net income grows 44.4%. Sales Surprise ratio at 1.83, median surprise 1.17%; 60% of all firms do better than expected on top line. Total revenue growth 11.09%. Total net income for the firms yet to report is expected to be 9.85% above second quarter of 2009 levels. Significant slowdown from the 63.3% growth those same firms had in the first quarter. A further slowdown to 7.0% growth expected in the third quarter. Total revenue growth for those yet to report expected to be 9.8%, down from the 13.6% the same firms reported in the first quarter. Still a very healthy level ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/cma-another-strong-earnings-season-the-dog-that-didnt-bark-earnings-trends/46410/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Standard &amp; Poor&#8217;s Rating Services Rating Outlook Raised</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-standard-poors-rating-services-rating-outlook-raised/45033</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-standard-poors-rating-services-rating-outlook-raised/45033#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:32:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=45033</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last Friday, Standard &#38; Poor&#8217;s Rating Services (S&#38;P) raised the rating outlook of Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) to &#8220;Stable&#8221; from &#8220;Negative&#8221; on the back of improved credit quality. The rating agency has also affirmed its &#8220;BBB&#8221; long-term counterparty credit rating and &#8220;BBB+&#8221; rating on its banking subsidiaries. Fifth Third has turned to profitability in the second quarter of 2010 after reporting losses in the last three quarters. The company reported a net income of $130 million or 16 cents per share, far ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. The better-than-expected results at Fifth Third were primarily driven by lower loan loss provisions as the credit metrics witnessed an improvement in the quarter. Provisions for loan losses were $325 million, down 45% sequentially and 69% year over year. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/28/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-standard-poors-rating-services-rating-outlook-raised/45033/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(USB) U.S. Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2010 Earnings a Penny Ahead</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/26/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-second-quarter-2010-earnings-a-penny-ahead/44226</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/26/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-second-quarter-2010-earnings-a-penny-ahead/44226#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:03:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=44226</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. Bancorp (USB) has reported second quarter earnings of $766 million or 45 cents per share. Excluding the benefits related to the issuance of perpetual preferred stock in exchange for certain income trust securities, the company earned 40 cents, a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents. The results compare favorably with the prior quarter’s earnings of $669 million or 34 cents per share and the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $471 million or 12 cents per share. The improvement in earnings primarily stemmed from a strong growth in revenues, reflecting the business growth initiatives taken by the company Incorporatedluding acquisitions. Though still at elevated levels, credit metrics improved sequentially. Net charge-offs and nonperforming assets declined sequentially as economic conditions moderated. U.S. Bancorp also reported a decrease in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/26/usb-u-s-bancorp-reports-second-quarter-2010-earnings-a-penny-ahead/44226/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(FITB) Fifth Third Bancorp Report Turns to Profit</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/24/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-report-turns-to-profit/44335</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/24/fitb-fifth-third-bancorp-report-turns-to-profit/44335#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:03:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regional - Midwest Banks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=44335</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) has turned to profitability in the second quarter of 2010 after reporting losses in the last three quarters. The company reported a net income of $130 million or 16 cents per share, well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. Results also compare favorably with a loss of $72 million or 9 cents per share in the prior quarter. However, in the prior-year quarter, Fifth Third reported a net income of $856 million or $1.15 per share, as it benefited from an asset sale. The company experienced a pre-tax gain of $1.8 billion related to the processing business sale. The better-than-expected results at Fifth Third were primarily driven by lower loan loss provisions as the credit metrics witnessed an improvement in the quarter. Though ]]></description>
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