RF Regions Financial Corporation

With much of the sector posting consistent profits as commercial real estate-related loan losses are easing, the number of Regional Banks still owing TARP money has shrunk considerably. Repaying TARP money leads to fewer capital constraints placed on the banks. In fact, the Fed explained that banks which have yet to repay the government bailout money received through the US Treasury Department's Troubled Assets Relief Program will not be allowed to increase their dividend payments. The Bedford Report examines the outlook for companies in the Regional Banking Sector and provides research reports on Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF) and SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI). Access to the full company reports can be found at:

www.bedfordreport.com/2011-04-RF

www.bedfordreport.com/2011-04-STI

After the release of the Federal Reserve's much-awaited stress test results last month, SunTrust received the authorization to raise capital. In late March, SunTrust Banks announced that it completed the repayment of $4.85 billion in TARP funds from the government's financial system rescue program. SunTrust financed its TARP repayment primarily through proceeds from a $1.04 billion stock offering and $1 billion debt offering that it completed. The company funded the remaining dues from its available cash.

The Bedford Report releases regular market updates on the Regional Banking sector so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.bedfordreport.com and get exclusive access to our numerous analyst reports and industry newsletters.

Regions Financial remains the only bank still owing TARP dues among those that were subject to the Federal Reserve's stress tests. Regions Financial says that it hasn't proposed any immediate move to repay the $3.5 billion it received from the government's rescue program. The bank added that it "continues to believe a return to sustainable profitability and continuing improvement in asset quality are key conditions that will enable repayment of TARP."

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