SPDR® S&P Bank ETF

BB&T Corporation’s (BBT) operations are divided into six business segments. Community Banking contributes 46% to the total revenue.

Telecom services and utilities, the traditional dividend stars, have provided a fillip to US equities in 2016.

Historically, a flatter yield curve had an adverse impact on the financial institutions’ returns. It lowered their net interest margins. The Fed continues to stress an accommodative monetary policy. The policy and strong overseas demand have kept yields low at the long end of the curve. As a result, the difference between 30-year and five-year Treasury yields fell to 154 basis points on September 5, 2014.

Wells Fargo (WFC) is the largest mortgage lender in the US, operating primarily as a retail and commercial bank. It is been the most profitable bank in its peer group, posting a return of 10% on shareholder’s equity and ~1.3% on assets in 2015.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was established to protect consumers’ interests by implementing federal consumer financial laws.

The Dodd-Frank Act is a financial reform legislation passed in an attempt to prevent events similar to the 2009 financial crisis from occurring again.

Since the financial crisis, the Fed has enforced regulations for the capital strength and liquidity of 16 systematically important financial institutions.

BB&T’s Susquehanna acquisition will significantly expand BB&T’s Mid-Atlantic footprint. The deal is valued at ~$2.5 billion. It will close in the second half of 2015.