Date updated:05-19-2007
From Barron's 5-21-07
Strong Lenders with Weaker Shares.
"The stocks of many smaller regional banks have been under pressure lately. There's more heated competition for deposits as interest rates rise. The inverted yield curve, which squeezes net margins, makes it tougher to generate profits, and sluggish loan demand can hit both the top and bottom lines. What's more, worries continue about whether the sharp deterioration in the subprime-mortgage market will worm its way into other lending areas and eat away at even healthy banks' balance sheets."
The following are the top regional banks that should stil fair well during these times of economic uncertainty.

-
CFR
Cullen Frost Bnkr - $51.62
- -1.56%
- $52.01
"Two banking operations that fit Ellison's description are Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in Texas and Seacoast Banking (SBCF) in Florida. In both cases, the shares have dipped after prolonged gains that some investors believe will resume once the economy picks up and the extent of recent real-estate problems is better defined. San Antonio's Cullen/Frost has developed a profitable niche in lending to small and mid-sized businesses. With a strong deposit base that gives it low funding costs, the bank should be able to ride the gains in the solid Lone Star economy in coming years, notwithstanding some recent slowing in loan growth."

-
SBCF
Seacoast Bkng Cp - $7.69
- -7.35%
- $8.22
"Two banking operations that fit Ellison's description are Cullen/Frost Bankers (CFR) in Texas and Seacoast Banking (SBCF) in Florida. In both cases, the shares have dipped after prolonged gains that some investors believe will resume once the economy picks up and the extent of recent real-estate problems is better defined. Seacoast, of Stuart, Fla., just north of Palm Beach, faces the added headwind of the state's fast-fading real-estate market. But the bank has a very disciplined lending culture, which should allow it to persevere through the difficulties and then rebound sharply on the first signs the local economy is regaining its balance.

-
BBX
Bankatlantic Bncp - $7.18
- +1.70%
- $7.00
Potential takeover target

-
BKUNA
Bankunited Finl C - $0.65
- -5.80%
- $0.695
Potential takeover target

-
AF
Astoria Finl Corp - $17.20
- -2.38%
- $17.10
Potential takeover target

-
DCOM
Dime Community Bc - $14.86
- -2.30%
- $14.91
Potential takeover target

-
SOV
Sovereign Bancorp - $2.57
- -13.47%
- $2.89
Potential takeover target

-
MTB
M&t Bank Corp - $78.21
- -6.69%
- $82.00
Opportunistic buyer
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pick up the tab for 2 of the
banks....should you still be worried
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