Commercial banking

The Pittsburgh bank had warned that business activity in its capital markets unit was slowing because of economic uncertainty stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But its fee income declined by more than the company anticipated in the first quarter, and looming rate hikes from the Fed will no doubt cut into mortgage income further.

U.S. Bancorp and Wells Fargo both reported robust business loan volumes during the first quarter, while other large lenders reported smaller gains. Inflation is fueling more spending on technology, and companies are catching up on capital expenditures that they deferred earlier in the pandemic, according to bank executives.

CEO Jamie Dimon cited elevated risks related to inflation and the war in Ukraine as the nation’s largest bank added $902 million in loan-loss reserves. “Does this represent conservatism in an uncertain macro environment or something more onerous?” one analyst asked.

Spence, who joined the Cincinnati bank in 2015, will succeed Greg Carmichael as chief executive in July. He says he’ll maintain the company’s current strategic priorities, including regional expansion and digital transformation.

Higher interest rates are generally helpful to the industry, but they are also leading to unrealized losses in banks’ bond portfolios. Trust banks such as Bank of New York Mellon, State Street and Northern Trust may take relatively large hits when they announce their first-quarter results.

Robert Sarver, who is majority owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team, will retire from his longtime role on the board of directors of Western Alliance Bancorp. in June, the company said. Sarver and the Suns are being investigated by the National Basketball Association regarding allegations of racism and misogyny within the Suns organization.

Citigroup and Bank of America are partnering with four large European banks to create a methodology for assessing how well companies in the air-travel sector are doing in meeting climate-related targets.