Regional Banks

Analysts at BMO Capital Markets downgraded Longtop Financial Technologies Limited (NYSE: LFT) from “outperform” to “market perform.” LFT's shares closed at $18.93 yesterday. LFT's trailing-twelve-month profit margin -8.66%. Credit Suisse downgraded East West Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ: EWBC) from “...

According to a recent report, Keefe Bruyette & Woods has maintained an Outperform rating on CenterState Banks (NASDAQ: CSFL) and an $8.00 price target after CenterStates recent second 2011 un-assisted deal announcement. In the report, Keefe Bruyette & Woods said, "We expect the deal to be...

According to a recent report, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has reiterated an Outperform rating on SunTrust Banks (NYSE: STI) and maintained a $35.00 price target after marketing with the company's CEO and CFO. In the report, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said, "With credit improving, the new senior...

In a research report published today, Credit Suisse made a couple of rating changes. East West Bancorp (NASDAQ: EWBC) was downgraded from Outperform to Neutral. Credit Suisse elaborated its decision with: "Despite our longer-term belief that EWBC's Chinese-American niche will provide for healthy...

International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-investment arm of the World Bank Group, is reported to be conducting due diligence on the Nigerian mobile money industry. Mobile Money Africa, a Nigerian-based online mobile financial inclusion news source, reports that IFC is “keen to play a...

Today's links: What happens when Greece defaults (Telegraph Blogs) Is Greece Lehman II? (Macro Business) Niall Ferguson: The Eurozone Has Become A Government Killing Machine (Business Insider) The 21 Countries Most Likely To Default (Business Insider) When Institutions Rape Nations (TomDispatch)...

First United Corporation (NASDAQ: FUNC) shares gained 6.34% to create a new 52-week high of $6.00. FUNC had $298.41 million in total cash for the latest quarter. Towerstream Corporation (NASDAQ: TWER) shares jumped 1.57% to create a new 52-week high of $5.16. TWER shares have jumped 247.95% over...

First Community Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCBC) today announced that it completed, on May 20, 2011, a $19 million private placement of its 6.00% Series A noncumulative, convertible preferred stock. "We are very pleased to have raised this level of growth capital in a limited private placement,"...

Waccamaw Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBNK), the bank holding company for Waccamaw Bank, announced today that it received a second non-compliance notice from the NASDAQ Stock Market stating that the company was not in compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5250( c )(1) because the company has not timely...

According to Wunderlich Securities, Sterling Bancshares (NASDAQ: SBIB) coverage is dropped. Wunderlich Securities said that it is terminating coverage of Sterling Bancshares (SBIB). “We suspended our rating, price target, and estimates on January 19, 2011. We do not intend to provide further...

According to Wunderlich Securities, Whitney Holding (NASDAQ: WTNY) coverage is terminated. Wunderlich Securities said that it is terminating coverage of Whitney Holding Corporation (WTNY). “We suspended our rating, price target, and estimates on December 23, 2010. We do not intend to provide...

Wunderlich Securities suspended its coverage of Sterling Bancshares (NASDAQ: SBIB). In a research report published today, Wunderlich states, "We are terminating coverage of Sterling Bancshares (SBIB). We suspended our rating, price target, and estimates on January 19, 2011. We do not intend to...

Jefferies & Company commented on M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) in a report released today. In the report, Jefferies was mixed in its assessment of the company. Jefferies writes, "M&T shined through the downturn, and we believe the bank will again differentiate itself over the next few years. We...

Wunderlich Securities suspended its coverage of Whitney Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: WTNY). In a research report published today, Wunderlich states, "We are terminating coverage of Whitney Holding Corporation (WTNY). We suspended our rating, price target, and estimates on December 23, 2010. We do...

Jefferies & Company has raised the price target on M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB) from $98 to $100 and maintains its Hold rating.