SunTrust

Earnings hit could be avoided if BB&T and SunTrust complete deal by 2020; Fannie and Freddie will likely exit conservatorship by 2024, Calabria says; tired of paying 'ransom' to core vendors, two small banks fund new one; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Completing the deal before the new year would let the merged company avoid an earnings hit in complying with the Current Expected Credit Loss accounting standard and give it more flexibility on capital adjustments.

A majority of banks globally may not be economically viable because their returns on equity aren’t keeping pace with costs, the consultancy said in its annual review of the industry released this week.

The companies say they're working hard to complete their deal this year — including spending millions on retention payments and other items — but there's no guarantee how quickly regulators will make their decisions.

Next up for BB&T-SunTrust: deciding where to unload branches; how the Trump administration would reform Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac; why the CFPB's payday rule is in the hands of a Texas judge; and more from this week's most-read stories.