Earnings

A spike in loan-loss provisions dragged down first-quarter profits at the Toronto company’s U.S. unit.

The company revised its results to a net loss of $700,000 after deciding to record a $16 million loan-loss provision for the commercial loan.

The bank's announcement that it will slash about 35,000 staff and take $7.3 billion of charges prompted its stock to tumble and renewed questions about the bank's direction and lack of a permanent CEO.

Anticipating a weaker economy and added pressure on stock prices, banks authorized more repurchases of outstanding shares last year.

Certain loan segments are showing signs of deterioration, but consumer lending and digital banking are bright spots. Meanwhile, bankers are eyeing opportunities to improve efficiency, add scale and take advantage of M&A disruption. Here's what to expect from smaller regionals in the year ahead.