Company Reports

Big southern regional banks benefited from net interest margin expansion while loan growth was largely disappointing. More Fed rate hikes should continue that earnings/EPS progress. We review BB&T, Regions & SunTrust. 

BAC is back in the loan growth saddle again as it has demonstrated broader based dynamics. First time since the pre-credit crisis days, but on a much more wholesome basis. Buy Stock, Sell Debt that has tightened. Move to Low on Risk-Regulatory indicators. BAC BAC BAC BAC BAC BAC BAC

USB gets more buoyancy from the rising rates climate that lifted its NIM across higher loan growth. Fees were flattish on lower mtg. banking, but payments and inv. mgt were strong. Buy on Stock, Bonds at fair value. Counterparty & regulatory risk Low. USB USB USB USB USB USB USB

MS continues its renaissance as a more stable broker versus GS. Wealth mgt benefitting from streamlines and equity bull markets. Fixed income less  prone to slippage.  Equity business strong. Investment Mgt. still a work in process. Buy on Stock & Bonds. Developing lower counterparty and systemic risk profile. MS MS MS MS MS MS MS

GS continues to wrestle with FICC funk, but banking & private equity investing keeps its economic margins robust. Leveraged lending is a major driver as it reinvents on consumer lending side too. Buy on Stock & Bonds. Medium counterparty & regulatory risk. GS GS GS GS GS GS GS

Citis back on road to core loan growth, but credit seasoning needs to be monitored. Still has the narrowest platform of big four banks. Buy on Stock, Buy on shorter-dated bonds. Counterparty & regulatory risk at medium levels. Citi Citi Citi Citi Citi Citi Citi

Wells still not well-loved by analysts as it kitchen sinks litigation charges against tax benefits from new tax law. Core is not cruising so Wells "Fargo-ing" via extreme cost cutting. Still Buy on debt stack and equity. Low counterparty & regulatory risk. wfc wfc wfc wfc wfc wfc wfc wfc 

PNC looks strong versus Wells Fargo as core loans rise across commercial & consumer. Its better ALM sensitivity an advantage to NII growth. Buy on Stock, Sell on Bonds. Counterparty & regulatory risk low. PNC PNC PNC PNC PNC PNC PNC

JPMorgan plowed through the tax blizzard and focused on core growth drivers in loans, deposit margins and capital markets top status. See stock growth in 2018 with select bond buys as spreads have tightened. Systemic risk at all-time lows due to equity market rally. JPM JPM JPM JPM JPM JPM JPM JPM JPM

BMO enjoyed strength in Canada off back of strong commercial lending and good home mortgage growth. US results more moderate as capital markets and wealth mgt. weaker. Sell Stock, Buy bonds.