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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; Savings &amp; Loans</title>
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	<description>Start Your Investing Research Here!</description>
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		<title>(BRKL) Company News for April 19, 2012 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/brkl-company-news-for-april-19-2012-corporate-summary/99161</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/brkl-company-news-for-april-19-2012-corporate-summary/99161#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:26:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BRKL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brookline Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Catalyst Health Solutions Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CHSI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GHL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenhill & Co Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SXC Health Solutions Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SXCI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VCBI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virginia Commerce Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=99161</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[•    Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:VCBI) reported first quarter earnings per share of $0.14, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.17 •    Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) reported first quarter earnings per share of $0.15, falling shy of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.17 by 2 cents •    Greenhill &#38; Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL) reported first quarter earnings per share of $0.53, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.44 •    Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHSI) rose 34.1% after SXC Health Solutions Corp. (NASDAQ:SXCI) announced cash-and-stock offer deal at a price of $81.02 per share BROOKLINE BC (BRKL): Free Stock Analysis Report CATALYST HEALTH (CHSI): Free Stock Analysis Report GREENHILL &#38; CO (GHL): Free Stock Analysis Report SXC HEALTH SOL (SXCI): Free Stock Analysis Report VIRGINIA COMMRC (VCBI): Free Stock Analysis Report To ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/04/19/brkl-company-news-for-april-19-2012-corporate-summary/99161/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(OCN) Ocwen Financial Analyst Upgrades Shares to Outperform</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-outperform/90300</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-outperform/90300#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:22:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></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[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=90300</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have upgraded our long term recommendation on Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) to “Outperform” from “Neutral”. The main reasons behind this raise are the company’s stable liquidity position and expected synergies from the recent servicing portfolio acquisitions that would support its financials. We believe that Ocwen’s principal reduction programs are expected to significantly contribute to its loan modification ability. However, until capital and debt markets stabilize, the company’s bottom line would remain under pressure. Although the near-term economic outlook remains unpredictable owing to market volatility and a contraction in subprime mortgage-servicing rights (MSRs), the company remains committed to loan modifications. Over the years, Ocwen has been growing through acquisitions and alliances. In the last few months, the company completed the acquisition of Litton Loan Servicing from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/01/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analyst-upgrades-shares-to-outperform/90300/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(BBX) BankAtlantic Bancorp Files Lawsuit Blocking Sale to BB&amp;T Corporation</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bbx-bankatlantic-bancorp-files-lawsuit-blocking-sale-to-bbt-corporation/87638</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bbx-bankatlantic-bancorp-files-lawsuit-blocking-sale-to-bbt-corporation/87638#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:42:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBX]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87638</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A group of corporate debt investors of BankAtlantic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. (BBX), filed a lawsuit against the firm to stop it from selling its loans, deposits and branches to BB&#38;T Corporation (BBT). These investors believe that this sale infringes the terms of their creditors’ agreement. Earlier on November 1, BB&#38;T had announced about its plan to acquire BankAtlantic. Under the terms of the deal, the company would acquire $2.1 billion in loans and $3.3 billion in deposits (90% core and low-cost funds) for $301 million premium, representing 9.05% of the deposits at BankAtlantic on September 30, plus the net asset value of the bank. However, deposit premium could rise or fall, based on the amount of deposits at BankAtlantic prior to the closing of deal, not ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bbx-bankatlantic-bancorp-files-lawsuit-blocking-sale-to-bbt-corporation/87638/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(BKYF) U.S. TARP Becomes More Profitable</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bkyf-u-s-tarp-becomes-more-profitable/87543</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bkyf-u-s-tarp-becomes-more-profitable/87543#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:34:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of Kentucky Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BKYF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First Midwest Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMBI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General Motors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GM]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87543</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With the reimbursement of $210 million of bailout money by Bank of Kentucky Financial Corp. (BKYF) and First Midwest Bancorp Inc. (FMBI), the U.S. Treasury has recovered nearly $258 billion from the bailed out banks. Approximately $245 billion was given to these banks as part of their participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) during the latest recession. The amount was procured through repayments, interest, dividends and other income, enabling the Treasury to make a profit of about $13 billion. Back in 2008, when the financial crisis was at its peak, Bank of Kentucky Financial and First Midwest Bancorp had received TARP money. Originally, Bank of Kentucky Financial had received $34 million as bailout money. Of this amount, on Wednesday, Bank of Kentucky Financial repurchased $17 million of preferred ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/28/bkyf-u-s-tarp-becomes-more-profitable/87543/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Earnings Beats Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/24/pbct-peoples-united-financial-earnings-beats-estimates/85640</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/24/pbct-peoples-united-financial-earnings-beats-estimates/85640#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:20:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danvers Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DNBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ING RISK MANAGED NAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=85640</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regional bank People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) announced its third-quarter 2011 operating earnings per share of 19 cents, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Moreover, earnings compared favorably with 17 cents per share in the prior quarter and 8 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. The modest improvement in results was attributed to lower nonperforming assets and loans, higher net interest income and enhanced revenue, partly offset by higher non-interest expenses. Operating income reported was $67.3 million compared with $57.3 million in the prior quarter and $27.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Including after-tax merger-related expenses and severance-related costs of $14.4 million, net income came in at $52.9 million or 15 cents per share in the third quarter of 2011. People&#8217;s United completed its acquisition of Danvers ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/24/pbct-peoples-united-financial-earnings-beats-estimates/85640/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Analyst Maintains Neutral Rating</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/01/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/82357</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/01/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/82357#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:58:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astoria Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=82357</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) based on the company’s fiscal third quarter results that were slightly better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, benefitting mainly from increased net interest income (NII) and an almost stable provision for loan losses. However, higher operating expenses formed the downside. The company also witnessed a weak loan demand during the reported quarter Though we remain concerned about the pressure on net interest margin (NIM) and the company’s considerable exposure to real estate markets where values remain soft, NII expansion and nonperforming asset (NPAs) contraction will significantly support the bottom line. In December 2010, Washington Federal increased its quarterly cash dividend by 20% from 5 cents per share from 6 cents, which it maintained till the latest payment. Additionally, the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/09/01/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/82357/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/08/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-5/78647</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/08/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-5/78647#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:58:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78647</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) to Underperform. It reported a loss on a GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2011 for the completion of the balance sheet restructuring during the quarter. Lower interest and dividend income, and increased non-interest expense, were on the downside. Going forward, the low interest rate environment would likely result in a compression of the net interest margin from its new higher level resulting from the restructuring transaction, and in combination with the reduction in the size of its balance sheet from the restructuring transaction, would lead to a reduction of net interest income. While its strong business model and solid capital position would aid results, the dividend cut somewhat dampens investors appetite for the stock. Increase in FDIC insurance ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/08/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-5/78647/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Completes Danvers Bancorp Acquisition</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/05/pbct-peoples-united-financial-completes-danvers-bancorp-acquisition/78297</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/05/pbct-peoples-united-financial-completes-danvers-bancorp-acquisition/78297#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:52:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danvers Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DNBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ING RISK MANAGED NAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Community Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78297</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Friday, People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) completed the acquisition of Massachusetts-based Danvers Bancorp Inc. (DNBK). The company paid 18.5 million shares of common stock and $214.5 million in cash for the acquisition. The acquisition was completed following the approval of the proposed deal from the Office of the Massachusetts&#8217; Commissioner of Banks and the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation on June 27, 2011. Further, the deal was approved by Danvers Bancorp shareholders and the Office of Thrift Supervision in May. In January 2011, PBCT announced the acquisition in a 55% stock and 45% cash transaction valued at $493 million. Based on final election results and with the application of proration provisions, which were mentioned in the agreement, Danvers shareholders received the consideration. Danvers shareholders, who made a valid stock ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/05/pbct-peoples-united-financial-completes-danvers-bancorp-acquisition/78297/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-3/78000</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-3/78000#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78000</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) to Underperform. It reported a loss on a GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2011 for the completion of the balance sheet restructuring during the quarter. Lower interest and dividend income, and increased non-interest expense, were on the downside. Going forward, the low interest rate environment would likely result in a compression of the net interest margin from its new higher level resulting from the restructuring transaction, and in combination with the reduction in the size of its balance sheet from the restructuring transaction, would lead to a reduction of net interest income. While its strong business model and solid capital position would aid results, the dividend cut somewhat dampens investors appetite for the stock. Increase in FDIC insurance ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-3/78000/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial and Danvers Bancorp Deal Approved</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/pbct-peoples-united-financial-and-danvers-bancorp-deal-approved/77972</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/pbct-peoples-united-financial-and-danvers-bancorp-deal-approved/77972#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:18:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danvers Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DNBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ING RISK MANAGED NAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IRR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Community Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77972</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) and Danvers Bancorp Inc. (DNBK) got the approval for their proposed merger from the Office of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation on June 27, 2011. In May, the deal was also approved by Danvers Bancorp shareholders and the Office of Thrift Supervision. The merger is expected to close on June 30, 2011. The approvals from the state were received after five months of the announcement of the merger. In January 2011, People’s United announced the acquisition of Danvers Bancorp Inc. in Massachusetts, in a 55% stock and 45% cash transaction valued at $493 million. On Tuesday, People&#8217;s United announced the merger consideration to be given to Danvers’ shareholders. Based on final election results and with the application of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/30/pbct-peoples-united-financial-and-danvers-bancorp-deal-approved/77972/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp Analyst Cuts to Underperform</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-analyst-cuts-to-underperform/77791</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-analyst-cuts-to-underperform/77791#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:29:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77791</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (HCBK) to Underperform from Neutral considering its fundamentals, dividend cut, restructuring initiatives and the current low interest rate environment. Hudson City reported a loss of $555.7 million or $1.13 per share on a GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2011 due to the completion of balance sheet restructuring during the quarter. Yet, operating earnings of 19 cents per share were significantly better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a massive loss aided by lower interest expense and reduced provision for loan losses. But, lower interest and dividend income, and increased non-interest expense were the downside. Concurrent with the earnings release, Hudson City declared a quarterly dividend of 8 cents per share. This represented a 47% decrease from the prior ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-analyst-cuts-to-underperform/77791/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Authorizes Share Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wfsl-washington-federal-authorizes-share-buyback/77728</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wfsl-washington-federal-authorizes-share-buyback/77728#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:34:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astoria Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77728</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Monday, Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program, under which the company will be able to buyback additional 10 million common shares. WFSL stated that this new share repurchase authorization is an extension of its current program. The current program, announced in 1995 with no expiration date, authorizes the company to repurchase 21,956,264 shares. During the quarter ending June 30, WFSL repurchased 1,654,800 shares at an average price of $15.72. Further, the company has already bought back a total of 2,304,800 shares (average price $15.87) in fiscal 2011. Hence, the company has 583,514 shares left under its current repurchase program. WFSL’s board of directors also declared a quarterly dividend of 6 cents payable on July 22 to the shareholders ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wfsl-washington-federal-authorizes-share-buyback/77728/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Upgraded</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/24/wfsl-washington-federal-upgraded/77316</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/24/wfsl-washington-federal-upgraded/77316#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:06:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astoria Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77316</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) to Neutral from Underperform based on improving credit quality and decreasing expenses. Though we remain concerned about the pressure on net interest margin (NIM) and the company’s considerable exposure to real estate markets where values remain soft, interest income expansion and non-performing asset contraction will significantly support the bottom line. Washington Federal’s fiscal second quarter (ended March 31, 2011) earnings came in at 23 cents per share, 2 cents shy of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, results were substantially better than the year-ago quarter’s adjusted loss of 11 cents. Results for the second quarter primarily benefited from increased interest income, lower expenses and a substantial drop in provision for loan losses. However, loan demand remained weak and profitability metrics deteriorated. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/24/wfsl-washington-federal-upgraded/77316/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Stays Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/pbct-peoples-united-financial-stays-neutral/77276</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/pbct-peoples-united-financial-stays-neutral/77276#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:10:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NIM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are reiterating our Neutral recommendation on People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) backed by the company’s better-than-expected first-quarter 2011 earnings. In April, People&#8217;s United reported first-quarter 2011 operating earnings per share of 15 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents. Moreover, earnings compared favorably with 10 cents per share reported in the prior quarter and 8 cents in the prior-year quarter. The modest improvement in results was attributable to higher net interest margin (NIM) and enhanced revenue, partly offset by higher non-interest expenses and increased provision for loan losses. Despite an asset sensitive balance sheet, People’s United continues to pose a modest capital position with capital ratios exceeding each of the regulatory requirements. Its tangible equity ratio and total risk-based capital ratio were 13.9% and 14.8%, respectively, as ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/pbct-peoples-united-financial-stays-neutral/77276/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>(PFS) Roche Holdings Reports Positive Data on BCC Drug</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/pfs-roche-holdings-reports-positive-data-on-bcc-drug/76928</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/pfs-roche-holdings-reports-positive-data-on-bcc-drug/76928#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:09:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CRIS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Curis Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Provident Financial Services Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=76928</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Roche Holdings Ltd. (RHHBY) reported positive results from a mid-stage trial on vismodegib. The candidate is being evaluated for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The phase II trial (ERIVANCE BCC) involved patients whose lesions could not be operated, or for whom surgery would result in substantial deformity. The study, which enrolled 104 patients with advanced BCC including 71 patients with locally advanced BCC (laBCC) and 33 patients with metastatic BCC (mBCC), demonstrated that vismodegib substantially shrank tumors or healed visible lesions in 43% of patients with laBCC and 30% of patients with mBCC. The median duration of progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.5 months. Moreover, 75% of the patients in the study experienced tumor shrinkage or healing of visible lesions, or a reduction on further growth of tumors ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/pfs-roche-holdings-reports-positive-data-on-bcc-drug/76928/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp Completes Restructuring</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-completes-restructuring/70117</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-completes-restructuring/70117#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:50:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMCC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=70117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday,Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (HCBK) announced the completion of its balance sheet restructuring. The restructuring condensed higher-cost structured borrowings, which are expected to increase net interest income in the coming quarters as interest expenses goes down. As a part of restructuring, Hudson City paid off $12.5 billion in structured quarterly putable borrowings. The funds for the payment were arranged through the sale of $8.7 billion of securities and $5.0 billion of new shorter-term fixed maturity borrowings with an average cost of 0.66%. Recent market proceedings and the United States government’s participation in both the mortgage markets, through the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC), and the maintenance of low market interest rates, resulted in an environment that has caused balance sheet to be less ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/29/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-completes-restructuring/70117/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Analyst Maintains Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/28/pbct-peoples-united-financial-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/68181</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/28/pbct-peoples-united-financial-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/68181#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:16:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=68181</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have maintained our Neutral recommendation on People’s United Financial Inc. (PBCT). The decision is based on synergies gains expected from recent acquisitions, but low interest environment might act as a deterrent to net interest income of the company. In January, People&#8217;s United announced fourth-quarter 2010 operating earnings per share of 10 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results compared favorably with 8 cents per share reported both in the prior quarter and prior-year quarter. The modest improvement in results was attributed to lower provision for loan losses, higher net interest margin (NIM) and enhanced revenue, which was partly offset by higher non-interest expenses. Despite an asset sensitive balance sheet, People’s United continues to pose a modest capital position with capital ratios exceeding each of the regulatory requirements. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/28/pbct-peoples-united-financial-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/68181/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-2/64684</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-2/64684#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:06:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=64684</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp&#8217;s (HCBK) third-quarter earnings came a penny behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate, reflecting lower interest margin, increased noninterest expense and a higher provision for loan losses. We expect pressure on earning assets and margin to continue with the low interest rate environment, which is anticipated to persist in the upcoming quarters, thereby dampening investors appetite for this stock. Along with this, the elevated levels of credit costs remain a concern for the company. Continuing high levels of unemployment and deterioration of home prices still prevalent in some of its lending markets arouses our concern. Moreover, the recent regulatory moves are also expected to pull down the company&#8217;s bottom line. As such, we reiterate our Underperform recommendation on the stock. HUDSON CITY BCP (HCBK): Free Stock Analysis Report Zacks ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/07/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day-2/64684/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Analyst Lowers Shares to Underperform</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/11/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-lowers-shares-to-underperform/61599</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/11/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-lowers-shares-to-underperform/61599#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:52:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=61599</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have recently downgraded our recommendation on Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) to Underperform from Neutral based on its sizable exposure to risky loan portfolios and rising costs. Washington Federal’s fiscal fourth-quarter 2010 earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a nickel. Results primarily benefited from a rise in revenue and a fall in the provision for loan losses. On the other hand, weak loan demand and increase in operating expenses were among the negatives. Though the majority of Washington Federal’s loan portfolio comprises high quality single-family residential loans, we are concerned about its sizable exposure to land acquisition &#38; development and speculative construction loan portfolios, which are still extremely risky. During the last two years, the majority of nonperforming loans and charge-offs have come from these portfolios. Though Washington Federal ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/11/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-lowers-shares-to-underperform/61599/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PFS) ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Targeting Cancer Stem Cells</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/pfs-immunocellular-therapeutics-targeting-cancer-stem-cells/58615</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/pfs-immunocellular-therapeutics-targeting-cancer-stem-cells/58615#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:27:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Provident Financial Services Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=58615</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Written by Grant Zeng, CFA ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (IMUC) Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: The Root Cause of Cancer Cancer treatment with therapeutics has made great progress in the past decade. Chemotherapy has long been the only option for oncologists to fight cancers. But the toxicities associated with chemotherapeutics have limited their use. While killing cancer cells, chemotherapeutic agents also kill healthy cells within the body making them highly toxic to humans. The situation changed when targeted therapy entered into the market a decade ago. Targeted therapeutic agents selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unattacked. The combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy has become the standard regime of cancer treatment currently. However, the advent of targeted therapy has not solved the long existing, notorious problem of cancer treatment: relapse, or ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/09/pfs-immunocellular-therapeutics-targeting-cancer-stem-cells/58615/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial&#8217;s Earnings Report Lags Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/pbct-peoples-united-financials-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56322</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/pbct-peoples-united-financials-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56322#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:29:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=56322</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regional bank People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) announced third quarter 2010 operating earnings per share of 8 cents, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 10 cents. Earnings also compared unfavorably with 9 cents per share reported in the prior quarter, but were in line with the prior-year quarter. Operating income reported was $27.7 million compared with $31.8 million in the prior quarter and $26.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Including pre-tax merger-related expenses, core system conversion costs and one-time charges of $5.3 million, net income was $24.1 million or 7 cents per share in the third quarter of 2010. The modest sequential decrease in results was attributed to higher provision for loan losses, partly offset by improvement in the net interest margin (NIM), as well as lower non-interest ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/11/07/pbct-peoples-united-financials-earnings-report-lags-estimates/56322/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/10/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day/50986</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/10/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day/50986#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:03:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=50986</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) to Underperform. The company&#8217;s second-quarter operating earnings came in just a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, primarily helped by lower interest expense, partially offset by an increase in provision for loan losses and a lower interest margin. Though a solid business model and strong capital levels are upsides, we believe that the elevated levels of credit metrics remain a concern for the company. The recent regulatory moves are also expected to pull down the company&#8217;s bottom line. Moreover, the low interest rate environment, anticipated to continue in the upcoming quarters, would restrict the company&#8217;s margin, thereby dampening investors&#8217; appetite for this stock. Zacks Investment Research]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/09/10/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-bear-of-the-day/50986/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(FNFG) First Niagara Financial Group Acquires NewAlliance Bancshares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/20/fnfg-first-niagara-financial-group-acquires-newalliance-bancshares/48654</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/20/fnfg-first-niagara-financial-group-acquires-newalliance-bancshares/48654#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:36:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First Niagara Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FNFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NAL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Alliance Bancshares Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=48654</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regional bank First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (FNFG) said on Thursday that it will acquire NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. (NAL) in a $1.5 billion cash and stock deal that would boost its presence in New England. This is the largest unassisted deal announcement in U.S. Banking since the financial crisis in mid 2008. According to Buffalo-based First Niagara, the combined entity would become one of the top 25 banks of the nation, with more than $29 billion in assets which will include more than $14 billion in loans. The shareholders of NewAlliance will get cash or stock at a ratio of 1.1 shares of First Niagara for each NewAlliance share. Investors can also opt for a combination of stock and cash, the banks said in a statement. Based on the closing ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/20/fnfg-first-niagara-financial-group-acquires-newalliance-bancshares/48654/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Second Quarter 2010 Earnings In-Line</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/18/pbct-peoples-united-financial-second-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line/43703</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/18/pbct-peoples-united-financial-second-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line/43703#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:46:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=43703</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regional bank People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) announced second quarter 2010 operating earnings per share of 9 cents, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings were up a penny after five consecutive quarters of reporting 8 cents per share. The modest year-over-year increase in results came on the back of an improvement in the net interest margin (NIM), as well as lower interest expenses and a marginal loan growth for the third consecutive quarter. However, continued market pressure hiked non-interest expenses. Results included $23.2 million in system conversion and merger-related expenses. After taxes, these expenses reduced the net income to $16.0 million or 4 cents per share in the reported quarter. Net margin increased 21 basis points sequentially and 56 basis points year over year to 3.68%. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/07/18/pbct-peoples-united-financial-second-quarter-2010-earnings-in-line/43703/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(OCN) Ocwen Financial Analysts Downgrade to Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analysts-downgrade-to-neutral/37404</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analysts-downgrade-to-neutral/37404#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 23:10:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=37404</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Given the current sustainability factor, on Friday we downgraded Ocwen Financial Cor. (OCN) to Neutral from Outperform. Although the company’s first quarter earnings were a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the results reflected a lackluster performance by Ocwen’s financials. Declining top-line growth across all the segments and absence of any revenues associated with Ocwen Solutions dampened the earnings expansion. Ocwen’s operations have been facing continuous headwinds from deterioration in the housing and mortgage markets. Declining prepayments and rising delinquencies lead to lower float balances and float income, while also resulting in increased interest expense related to funding of servicing advances. We do not expect any positive improvement in delinquency rates in 2010, which will lead to further reductions in advances as Ocwen’s seasoned portfolio matures. Further, continued disruptions ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/17/ocn-ocwen-financial-analysts-downgrade-to-neutral/37404/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People’s United Financial Buys Massachusetts&#8217; Butler Bank</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/19/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financial-buys-massachusetts-butler-bank/34308</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/19/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financial-buys-massachusetts-butler-bank/34308#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:50:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=34308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an attempt to expand its presence in greater Boston market, on Friday, People’s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) announced the purchase of the deposits and banking operations of the Massachusetts-based Butler Bank from Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). According to the terms of the deal, People’s United has acquired assets of the Butler Bank and its Marlborough Co-Operative division worth approximately $237 million. Alongside, the company has also taken up liabilities of Butler bank worth approximately $243 million, of which $229 million are deposits. With regard to this, People’s United has also entered into an agreement with the FDIC to share losses incurred by all acquired loans and foreclosed real estate of Butler Bank. While post-merger functions have already become effective, depositors can access their money by writing checks, using ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/19/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financial-buys-massachusetts-butler-bank/34308/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) U.S. Regulators Close Eight More Banks on Friday &#8211; 2010 Tally Hits Fifty</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/19/pbct-u-s-regulators-close-eight-more-banks-on-friday-2010-tally-hits-fifty/34225</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/19/pbct-u-s-regulators-close-eight-more-banks-on-friday-2010-tally-hits-fifty/34225#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:47:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></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[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=34225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. regulators on Friday shuttered eight more banks in Florida, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington, pushing up U.S. bank failures to 50 so far in 2010. This compares to a total number of bank failures of 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and only 3 in 2007. Although the economy is showing signs of a gradual recovery with large financial institutions stabilizing, tumbling home prices, soaring loan defaults and rising unemployment continue to take their toll on small banks. While we expect economic recovery to gain momentum soon, there remain lingering concerns in the banking industry. Failure of both residential and commercial real estate loans as a result of the credit crisis has primarily hurt banks. As the industry tolerates bad loans made during the credit explosion, the trouble in ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Pases Estimates &#8211; Gains from Acquisition</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/18/wfsl-washington-federal-pases-estimates-gains-from-acquisition/34102</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/18/wfsl-washington-federal-pases-estimates-gains-from-acquisition/34102#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:56:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=34102</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Washington Federal’s (WFSL) second-quarter (ended March 31, 2010) earnings of 73 cents per share substantially surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 11 cents. Results were helped by significant gains from its acquisition of Horizon, a failed bank based in Bellingham, Washington as well as tax benefits. The quarterly results also compare favorably with the earnings of 10 cents in the year-ago period. Besides the noteworthy gain on the acquisition of the failed bank, the stupendous results in the reported quarter were supported by strong deposit inflows and new account openings. On the other side, feeble loan demand disappointed management due to the tepid economy. On-going soft market conditions continued to force the company to aggressively write down problem assets. Though the overall level of non-performing loans and real estate owned through foreclosure ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial&#8217;s Earnings Report Meets Expectations</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/18/pbct-peoples-united-financials-earnings-report-meets-expectations/34106</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/04/18/pbct-peoples-united-financials-earnings-report-meets-expectations/34106#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:34:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=34106</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People’s United Financial Inc.’s (PBCT) first quarter 2010 operating earnings per share of 8 cents was flat with the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as last quarter’s figure. Earnings was a cent higher from 7 cents in the prior-year quarter due to improvement in the net interest margin (NIM), lower interest expenses, modest loan growth and lower net loan charge-offs for the second consecutive quarter. However, continued market pressure drove non-interest expenses higher and non-interest income lower for the quarter. Results included $23.4 million in system conversion and merger-related expenses.  After taxes, these expenses reduced the net income of $29.2 million by $15.6 million or 4 cent per share in the reported quarter. Net margin increased to 3.47% from 3.19% in the prior quarter and 3.25% in the prior-year quarter. ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PBCT) People’s United Financial Coverage Initiated at Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/25/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financial-coverage-initiated-at-neutral/31706</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/25/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financial-coverage-initiated-at-neutral/31706#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:51:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=31706</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, we initiated coverage on People’s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) with a Neutral recommendation. The company’s fourth quarter earnings of 8 cents per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While commercial loan portfolio and deposits experienced growth, bottom-line results declined due to higher non-interest expenses and loan loss provisions. PBCT continues to benefit from a healthy business portfolio that has grown inorganically over time. While the company’s R.C. Knox and Chittenden acquisitions continue to generate income flow, the latest addition ? Financial Federal ? is a leader in equipment financing and provides a valuable complement to People’s United’s existing business lines. This transaction is expected to generate meaningful earnings accretion without diluting the capital ratios, which will provide tremendous strategic flexibility to the company in the current ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) U.S. Treasury Sells Washington Federal Warrants</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/12/wfsl-u-s-treasury-sells-washington-federal-warrants/30465</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/12/wfsl-u-s-treasury-sells-washington-federal-warrants/30465#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:35:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bank of America Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Capital One Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SBNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Signature Bank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCBI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCF Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas Capital BancShares Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=30465</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Treasury announced Wednesday that it has received net proceeds of $15.4 million from the sale of warrants it obtained as part of its investment in Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) during the height of the financial crisis. In May 2009, WFSL repaid the entire $200 million of bailout money it had received from the government. The Treasury auctioned 1.71 million warrants at $9.15 each. The final price was above the floor price of $5 per warrant set by Treasury. The current move will completely free WFSL from government intervention. The auction for WFSL warrants follows Bank of America Corp.&#8216;s (BAC) warrants sale last week. The government received record net proceeds of $1.5 billion from the sale of Bank of America warrants. The amount ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp Seeks to Change Regulators</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/08/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-seeks-to-change-regulators/29953</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/08/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-seeks-to-change-regulators/29953#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:53:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=29953</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp (HCBK) announced yesterday its intention to change its regulator to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Currently the bank is under the regulation of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). The bank is planning to file an application with the OCC to change its organization from a savings bank to a nationalized bank. The OCC regulates and supervises more than 1,500 national banks and 50 federal branches of foreign banks in the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total assets of all U.S. commercial banks. The motives behind such reorganization are ensuring safety and soundness of Hudson City Bank, continue with solid performance and growth in the banking industry and maintaining customers’ trust and confidence. The move by Hudson City comes as a ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(OCN) Ocwen Financial Posts Preliminary Results</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/05/ocn-ocwen-financial-posts-preliminary-results/29881</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/05/ocn-ocwen-financial-posts-preliminary-results/29881#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:52:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=29881</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corp. (OCN) reported its preliminary fourth quarter operating earnings per share of 7 cents, substantially short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents. However, this compares favorably with the loss of 7 cents in the year-ago quarter due to reduced unrealized losses on auction rate securities in the reported quarter. Results were helped by strong growth in servicing segment, reduction in operating and interest expenses that led to increase in operating income margin. However, this was partially offset by declining top-line growth across most of the segments. GAAP net income was $9.4 million or 9 cents per share as compared to a net loss of $4.3 million or 7 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. During the reported quarter, Ocwen completed the sale of Bankhaus Oswald ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Analyst Upgrades to Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/24/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-upgrades-to-neutral/28894</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/24/wfsl-washington-federal-analyst-upgrades-to-neutral/28894#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:14:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=28894</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) to Neutral from Underperform. The company’s fiscal first quarter (ended Dec 31, 2009) earnings of 7 cents per share were a nickel short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This also compares unfavorably with the earnings of 23 cents in the year-ago quarter. The results significantly deteriorated from the prior-year quarter due to a huge increase in provision for loan losses and a loss on real estate acquired through foreclosures. However, credit quality slightly improved during the quarter. Also, declining deposit rates helped improve funding concerns to a great extent while capital position remained strong. As Washington Federal primarily generates revenue from the spread between the cost of   deposits of the general public and the returns on loans of various types, ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) U.S. Bank Failures Reach Fifteen in 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/01/wfsl-u-s-bank-failures-reach-fifteen-in-2010/26566</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/01/wfsl-u-s-bank-failures-reach-fifteen-in-2010/26566#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:50:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></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[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=26566</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. regulators on Friday shuttered six more banks in California, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota and Washington as the recession continues to take its toll on small banks. This brings the total number of bank failures to 15 so far in 2010, compared to 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 3 in 2007. That is, one bank failure every two days in January 2010. While we expect economic recovery to gain momentum soon, there remains lingering concerns in the banking industry. Failure of both residential and commercial real estate loans as a result of the credit crisis was the primary reason that wounded banks. As the industry tolerates bad loans made during the credit explosion, the trouble in the banking system goes even deeper Incorporatedreasing the possibility of more bank failures. ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal&#8217;s Earnings Fall Short</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/25/wfsl-washington-federals-earnings-fall-short/25890</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/25/wfsl-washington-federals-earnings-fall-short/25890#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=25890</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Washington Federal’s (WFSL) first fiscal quarter (ended Dec 31, 2009) earnings of 7 cents per share were a nickel short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This also compares unfavorably with the earnings of 23 cents in the year-ago quarter. The results continued to be impacted by higher credit costs. Provision for loan losses and loss on real estate acquired through foreclosures has substantially increased during the reported quarter. However, as a result of weakness in the industry, Washington Federal took the opportunity to expand riding on its financial strength at an attractive cost. The acquisition of failed Horizon Bank on Jan 8, 2010 is expected to add materially to Washington Federal’s earnings in the upcoming quarters. Also, there will be limited risk to shareholders as Washington Federal has a loss ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WFSL) 2010 U.S. Bank Failures Tally Reaches Nine</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/25/wfsl-2010-u-s-bank-failures-tally-reaches-nine/25886</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/25/wfsl-2010-u-s-bank-failures-tally-reaches-nine/25886#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:27:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></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[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=25886</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regulators shut down 5 more banks in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington; pushing up U.S. bank failures to 9 so far in 2010. Though the economy is showing signs of gradual recovery, bank failures continue unabated as U.S. regulators on Friday closed down five more banks in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. This takes the total number of bank failures to 9 in 2010, compared to 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 3 in 2007. While the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are lingering concerns about the banking industry. As the industry tolerates bad loans that were made during the credit explosion, the trouble in the banking system goes even deeper Incorporatedreasing the possibility of more bank failures. The failed banks were –Santa ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People’s United Financial&#8217;s Earnings Meet Expectations</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/23/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financials-earnings-meet-expectations/25800</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/23/pbct-people%e2%80%99s-united-financials-earnings-meet-expectations/25800#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:21:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=25800</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People’s United Financial, Inc.’s (PBCT) fourth quarter operating earnings per share of 8 cents were flat with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and third quarter earnings. However, earnings declined from 10 cents in the prior-year quarter due to continued market pressure, which further drove non-interest expenses higher and interest income lower for the quarter. Results included $4.5 million in system conversion and merger-related expenses. After taxes, these expenses reduced the net income of $28.0 million by $3.1 million or 1 cent per share in the reported quarter. Net margin was sequentially flat at 3.1% although it declined from 3.55% in the prior-year quarter. Non-interest expense increased 4.3% sequentially and 2.4% year-over-year to $172.2 million. Total interest income declined 2.3% sequentially and 11.7% year-over-year to $187.5 million due to decrease in wealth ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp Meets Earnings Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/20/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-earnings-estimates/25454</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/20/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-earnings-estimates/25454#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:52:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=25454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp’s (HCBK) fourth quarter 2009 operating earnings came in at 28 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This was an increase over the 25 cents reported last year. The company continued to experience strong lending revenues, even though provisions for losses increased and other credit quality metrics worsened. For full year 2009, net income increased 18.3% to $527.2 million and earnings per share increased 18.9% to $1.07. Hudson City reported a 9.9% increase in net income to $136.6 million. This increase occurred in the face of significantly higher deposit insurance fees Incorporatedluding an across-the-industry special assessment as well as a significantly higher provision for loan losses. Net interest income increased 27.4% to $331.8 million as compared to $260.5 million last year. The increase was ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/20/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-earnings-estimates/25454/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) 2010 U.S. Bank Failures Rise to Four</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/18/wfsl-2010-u-s-bank-failures-rise-to-four/25178</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/18/wfsl-2010-u-s-bank-failures-rise-to-four/25178#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:55:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BB & T Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BBT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fifth Third Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FITB]]></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[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=25178</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Regulators shut down 3 more banks in Illinois, Minnesota and Utah pushing up U.S. bank failures to 4 so far this year. U.S. regulators on Friday shuttered three more banks in Illinois, Minnesota and Utah as the recession continues to take its toll on small banks. This brings the total number of bank failures to 4 so far in 2010, compared to 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 3 in 2007. While the state of the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are lingering concerns about the banking industry. As the industry tolerates bad loans that were made during the credit explosion, the trouble in the banking system goes even deeper Incorporatedreasing the possibility of more bank failures. The failed banks were – Kaysville, Utah-based Barnes Banking Co. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/18/wfsl-2010-u-s-bank-failures-rise-to-four/25178/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) U.S. Bank Failures Continue Into 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/11/wfsl-u-s-bank-failures-continue-into-2010/24625</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/11/wfsl-u-s-bank-failures-continue-into-2010/24625#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:30:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></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[PNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNC Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Regions Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Us Bancorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions BanCorporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=24625</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.S. regulators on Friday shuttered Horizon Bank of Bellingham, Washington, making it the first of the expected high number of small bank failures in 2010. Also, in California, the Bakersfield-based Kern Central Credit Union was seized by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). These two failures in 2010 so far, compare with the total number of bank failures of 140 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 3 in 2007. While the state of the economy is showing signs of recovery, there are lingering concerns about the banking industry. As the industry tolerates bad loans that were made during the credit explosion, the trouble in the banking system goes even deeper Incorporatedreasing the possibility of more bank failures. As of September 30, 2009, Horizon Bank had total assets of approximately $1.3 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/11/wfsl-u-s-bank-failures-continue-into-2010/24625/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial&#8217;s United Eyes Acquisition</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/25/pbct-peoples-united-financials-united-eyes-acquisition/21235</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/25/pbct-peoples-united-financials-united-eyes-acquisition/21235#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:31:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FIF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Federal Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=21235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People&#8217;s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) said on Monday that it is eyeing the acquisition of Financial Federal Corporation (FIF) for about $738 million in stock and cash. People&#8217;s United, the holding company for People&#8217;s United Bank, expects the acquisition to be completed in the first quarter of 2010. This acquisition is expected to be significantly accretive to People&#8217;s United’s operating earnings in 2010 without diluting its capital ratios and have an IRR greater than 20%. Under the terms of the acquisition, Financial Federal shareholders will receive $11.27 in cash and one share of People&#8217;s United common stock. Calculated with the closing price of People&#8217;s United shares on Nov 20, the transaction is valued at $27.74 per Financial Federal share. The receipt of People&#8217;s United stock by shareholders of Financial Federal ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/25/pbct-peoples-united-financials-united-eyes-acquisition/21235/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Hudson City Bancorp Meets Consensus Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/21/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-consensus-estimates/18406</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/21/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-consensus-estimates/18406#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:22:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=18406</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp’s (HCBK) third quarter 2009 operating earnings came in at 27 cents per share, a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate&#8217;s 26 cents per share. This was an increase over 25 cents last year. The company continued to experience strong lending revenue, even though provisions for losses increased and other credit quality metrics worsened. Net income increased 10.8% to $135.1 million as compared to $121.9 million in the prior-year quarter. This increase occurred in the face of significantly higher deposit insurance fees Incorporatedluding an across-the-industry special assessment as well as a significantly higher provision for loan losses. Net interest income increased 27.6% to $325.5 million as compared to $255.1 million last year. The increase was due to a steeper yield curve, which allowed reduction in deposit costs ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/21/hcbk-hudson-city-bancorp-meets-consensus-estimates/18406/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PBCT) People&#8217;s United Financial Reports Earnings In-Line</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/17/pbct-peoples-united-financial-reports-earnings-in-line/18048</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/17/pbct-peoples-united-financial-reports-earnings-in-line/18048#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:38:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=18048</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People&#8217;s United Financial Inc.’s (PBCT) third quarter earnings of 8 cents per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While quarterly results benefited from growth in core loan portfolios and deposits, the company’s credit quality continued to deteriorate. It has reported significant increase in loan loss provisions in the quarter. People&#8217;s United reported net income of $26.8 million or 8 cents per share for the quarter, compared to $25.3 million or 8 cents per share in the prior quarter and $46.0 million or 14 cents per share a year earlier. Net interest income was $145.3 million, up 3% sequentially but down 9% year-over-year. Net interest margin was up 7 basis points (bps) sequentially but down 52 bps year-over-year to 3.19%. The sequential increase in the net interest margin ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/17/pbct-peoples-united-financial-reports-earnings-in-line/18048/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/08/wfsl-washington-federal-bear-of-the-day/17154</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/08/wfsl-washington-federal-bear-of-the-day/17154#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:33:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=17154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Washington Federal&#8217;s (WFSL) third quarter earnings were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the results significantly deteriorated from the prior-year quarter due to a huge increase in provision for loan losses, primarily in response to a deteriorating residential land and construction portfolio. Credit quality drastically worsened during the quarter. However, declining deposit rates helped improve funding concerns to a great extent and capital position remained strong. Though margin expansion and increased market share through acquisitions will be a great support going forward, we are concerned about the company&#8217;s significant exposure to real estate markets and suspect that it will continue to experience credit quality deterioration. Therefore, we recommend the shares as Underperform. Zacks Investment Research View original at: Zacks.com News Feed]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/08/wfsl-washington-federal-bear-of-the-day/17154/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WFSL) Washington Federal Offers $300 mln Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/16/wfsl-washington-federal-offers-300-mln-shares/15259</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/16/wfsl-washington-federal-offers-300-mln-shares/15259#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:17:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JPMorgan Chase & Co]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFSL]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=15259</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Washington Federal Inc. (WFSL) initiated an underwritten public offering of $300 million of its common stock on Monday. The company plans to use proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes Incorporatedluding capital to support growth and acquisition opportunities. The net proceeds would also qualify as both tangible common equity and regulatory Tier 1 capital. JPMorgan Securities Inc., a non-banking subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase &#38; Co. (JPM), is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. D.A. Davidson &#38; Co. and McAdams Wright Ragen are acting as co-managers. The underwriters will probably get a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares offered to cover overallotments, if any. The secondary market for subprime and other non-conforming mortgage loans collapsed during the recent market volatility and ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/16/wfsl-washington-federal-offers-300-mln-shares/15259/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(OCN) Ocwen Financial Chooses Delloite &amp; Touche</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/08/ocn-ocwen-financial-chooses-delloite-touche/14643</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/08/ocn-ocwen-financial-chooses-delloite-touche/14643#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:41:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie Mae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=14643</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Sept. 4, Ocwen Financial Corp. (OCN) said that its Board of Directors approved the dismissal of PricewaterhouseCoopers as its independent public accounting firm. The vote took place on Aug. 31 and the dismissal was effective the same day. It said there were no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCopers or reportable events. In place of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ocwen has hired Deloitte &#38; Touche as its independent public accounting firm. Ocwen and several other subprime lenders recently became subject of the Center for Public Integrity’s critical report. Records showed that 21 of the top 25 participants in a $21 billion federal program to bail out home borrowers were involved in the subprime crisis. Furthermore, Ocwen is undergoing about 64 lawsuits accusing it of abusive collection practices. Ocwen is a financial services company engaged in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/08/ocn-ocwen-financial-chooses-delloite-touche/14643/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HCBK) Top Financial Equity Funds &#8211; Mutual Fund Commentary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/27/top-financial-equity-funds-mutual-fund-commentary/13583</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/27/top-financial-equity-funds-mutual-fund-commentary/13583#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:27:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HCBK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hudson City Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Community Bancorp Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBCT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peoples United Financial Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=13583</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today we are featuring top-performing “Financial&#8221; equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in equity securities of financial services and related companies. Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Financial Equity Funds. 3 Great Picks Mutual Financial Services A (TFSIX) seeks capital appreciation. Income is a secondary consideration. The fund generally invests the equity portion of its portfolio substantially in mid- and large cap companies. As of March 2009, its portfolio turnover was 41.98%. Charles M. Lahr has been lead manager at the fund since December 2004. The fund has topped the total returns of its benchmark index in the last 1-, 3- and 5-year periods. Dryden Financial Services A (PFSAX) seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of financial ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/27/top-financial-equity-funds-mutual-fund-commentary/13583/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(OCN) Ocwen Completes Equity Offering</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/ocn-ocwen-completes-equity-offering/12836</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/ocn-ocwen-completes-equity-offering/12836#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:56:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fannie Mae]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=12836</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corp. (OCN) announced the completion of its public offering of 32.2 million shares of common stock, which includes 4.2 million shares purchased by the underwriters to cover the over-allotment option. Ocwen received approximately $275.3 million in net proceeds from the common stock offering after deducting underwriting discounts but before estimated offering expenses. The company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes Incorporatedluding acquisitions and working capital. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the common stock offering. Piper Jaffray &#38; Co. and Keefe, Bruyette &#38; Woods Inc. acted as co-managers. Ocwen is a financial services company engaged in the servicing of residential and commercial mortgage loans. Ocwen acquires mortgage-servicing rights (MSRs) for performing, sub-performing ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/ocn-ocwen-completes-equity-offering/12836/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(OCN) U.S. Banks &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/07/14/ocn-us-banks-industry-outlook-2/9927</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/07/14/ocn-us-banks-industry-outlook-2/9927#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:31:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Savings & Loans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Freddie Mac]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KEY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KeyCorp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OCN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocwen Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SLM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Slm Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wilmington Trust Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZION]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zions Bancorp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=9927</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We think that the worst of the credit crisis is now probably behind us, but the banking system is not yet out of the woods &#8212; there are still many significant challenges ahead. The banks are now able to tap the debt markets without FDICs support and also access the equity markets as the investor confidence returns in the stronger banks. Many banks have already repaid the TARP funds to the Treasury. While the bigger banks benefited greatly from the various programs launched by the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and the FDIC and are now in a much better shape, many smaller banks are still in a very weak financial state and the FDICs list of problem banks continues to grow. Further, the Government efforts have not succeeded in restoring ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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