Ieva Augstums

Goldman Sachs earns record $4.79B in 4th quarter after reducing compensation ratio. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. responded to intense criticism of big Wall Street paychecks by putting less money into its bonus pool, a move that helped it earn a record $4.79 billion fourth-quarter profit.

Wells Fargo's surprise profit boosts optimism that lending could rebound in 2010. Wells Fargo says the economy is getting better ? it sees signs of recovery in its loan business.

Stocks end higher as disappointing December jobs report leaves investors unfazed; Dow adds 11. A disappointing jobs report couldn't stop the stock market from having a strong start to the new year.

Citigroup and Wells Fargo to exit government's financial bailout program, repay combined $45B. The last two major national banks are returning $45 billion in aid to taxpayers, marking the latest step toward recovery for the U.S. financial system.

Citigroup and Wells Fargo exit government's financial bailout program. Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. said Monday they would repay their government bailout loans, freeing them from close regulatory scrutiny and marking the latest step toward recovery for the U.S. financial system.

US unveils broad effort to limit executive pay and risk-taking that led to financial crisis. The government zeroed in on corporate excess and recklessness Thursday with deep, unprecedented cuts in executive compensation at companies living on taxpayer money and a move to wield veto power over pay policy at thousands of banks to limit risk-taking.

As Main Street struggles, it's trading, not lending, that's bringing profits to banks. The big banks are showing they can still make money, even as Main Street struggles ? though not from lending, refinancing homes or other bread-and-butter business.

'Miracle on the Hudson' pilots reunite in cockpit for NY, NC flights. "This is your captain, Chesley Sullenberger."

Next CEO of BofA still uncertain, but will have to repair damaged relations, balance sheet. The CEO who succeeds the departing Ken Lewis at Bank of America Corp. will have plenty of repair work to do, including mending relationships with regulators and investors after the animosity that followed the acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co. this past year.

After Ken Lewis' departure, next Bank of America CEO must make Merrill deal pay off. Ken Lewis' legacy as CEO of Bank of America Corp. will likely be determined by whether his successor can do what Lewis couldn't: prove that the bank's messy acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co. was worth the money.

Singapore sovereign wealth fund cuts its stake in Citigroup to below 5 percent from 9 percent. A Singapore sovereign wealth fund cut its stake in Citigroup Inc. to below 5 percent from 9 percent on Tuesday, reducing its ownership to the level planned before a recent debt exchange.

Congressman latest to ask Bank of America for more details about its purchase of Merrill Lynch. Bank of America Corp. was facing a deadline Monday to turn over additional information about its acquisition of Merrill Lynch, this time to a Congressional committee.

AP Source: Cuomo subpoenas 5 Bank of America board members over Merrill Lynch deal. The New York Attorney General's office subpoenaed five members of Bank of America Corp.'s board Wednesday as part of an investigation into its acquisition of troubled investment bank Merrill Lynch & Co., according to a person familiar with the investigation.

Judge throws out $33M SEC-BofA settlement, orders trial; Cuomo preparing to file charges. A federal judge on Monday rejected a $33 million settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America Corp., saying the SEC's accusations of inadequate disclosure by the bank over bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch must now go to trial.

Citigroup's lending programs using TARP money rises to $50.8 billion in 2nd quarter. Citigroup Inc. said Tuesday it approved $6 billion in new lending initiatives during the second quarter as part of its programs supported by government bailout funds.

AIG announces former AmEx CEO as new chairman, releases second-quarter results Friday. Amid its ongoing restructuring and management shuffle, American International Group Inc. is about to provide some insight into how much it has recovered since it almost collapsed a year ago.

Regulators close banks in Fla., NJ, Ohio, Okla., Ill.; 69 US bank failures this year. Regulators on Friday shut down banks in Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma and Illinois, boosting to 69 the number of federally insured banks to fail this year amid the pressures of the weak economy and mounting loan defaults.

NY AG: Citigroup, which got $45 billion in govt. money, paid more than $5 billion in bonuses. Citigroup Inc., one of the biggest recipients of government bailout money, gave employees $5.33 billion in bonuses for 2008, New York's attorney general said Thursday in a report detailing the payouts by nine big banks.

Banks turn in hefty profits, but industry still has big problems. The big banks are making big money again, but they won't be back to health as long as they have to deal with a recession and customers defaulting on mortgages and credit cards.

Investors looking to companies' 2Q revenue growth as a sign that the economy is recovering. Investors want to see some new math in companies' quarterly reports. No longer content with an economy that's limping toward recovery, the stock market is looking for signs that business improved in the second quarter or at least will in the coming months. And investors will measure that by the revenue figures companies put up as they issue earnings reports during the next four weeks.