Banks Report Financial Results, Share Sales and New Appointments for Business Expansions - Research Report on BB&T, FirstMerit, Boston Private Financial Holdings, Fulton Financial, and Associated Bank

NEW YORK, July 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.

Today, Investors' Reports announced new research reports highlighting BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT), FirstMerit Corporation (NASDAQ: FMER), Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BPFH), Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FULT), and Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ: ASBC). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

BB&T Corporation Research Report

On July 18, 2013, BB&T Corporation (BB&T) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. Net income available to common shareholders was $547 million, an increase of 7.3% YoY. Diluted earnings per share came in at $0.77, an increase of 6.9% YoY. Commenting on the results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kelly S. King said, "We are pleased to report the strongest quarterly earnings in our history, supported by continued improvement in diversification strategies. Our earnings were driven by 6% annualized growth in revenues compared with last quarter, including an 18% annualized increase in noninterest income. These results reflect record performances from our insurance, investment banking and brokerage, and trust and investment advisory businesses." The Full Research Report on BB&T Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investorsreports.com/report/2013-07-24/BBT]

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FirstMerit Corporation Research Report

On July 23, 2013, FirstMerit Corporation (FirstMerit) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. The Company's net income went up to $48.5 million or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to net income of $37.3 million or $0.33 per diluted share in Q1 2013, and net income of $30.6 million or $0.28 per diluted share in Q2 2012. According to Chairman, President and CEO of FirstMerit, Paul G. Greig, "FirstMerit's strong second quarter financial results continued to reflect profitable growth. We completed our acquisition of Citizens on April 12 and introduced the FirstMerit brand to our new branch locations in Michigan and Wisconsin in June. As a combined company, we are now focused on taking advantage of the many revenue growth opportunities we see across our Midwest footprint. Our value proposition provides consistently strong financial results supported by strong credit quality, a solid balance sheet and high capital levels." The Full Research Report on FirstMerit Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investorsreports.com/report/2013-07-24/FMER]

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Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. Research Report

On July 23, 2013, Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. (Boston Private) announced that BP Holdco, L.P., an affiliate of The Carlyle Group, has agreed to sell 3.8 million shares of Boston Private common stock in an underwritten at-the-market offering. The Company stated that the last reported sale price of its common stock was $11.36 per share as of July 22, 2013. Further, Boston Private stated that following this offering, BP Holdco, L.P. would own no shares of the Company's common stock. The sole book-running manager for the offering will be Citigroup, along with Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. as co-managers. The Full Research Report on Boston Private Financial Holdings Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investorsreports.com/report/2013-07-24/BPFH]

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Fulton Financial Corporation Research Report

On July 23, 2013, Fulton Financial Corporation (Fulton) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. The Company's net income increased to $40.6 million or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to net income of $39.2 million or $0.20 per diluted share in Q1 2013. For H1 2013, the Company's net income was $79.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, an increase compared to net income of $78.0 million, or $0.39 per diluted share in H1 2012. According to E. Philip Wenger, Chairman, CEO and President, "In the second quarter, we continued to grow loans and saw further improvement in our overall asset quality, enabling us to again reduce the provision for credit losses. We were also pleased to report a solid increase in non-interest income. However, the quarter was not without its challenges. Despite an expanding core deposit base, our net interest margin declined slightly due to sustained pressure on asset yields. Other expenses were up as a result of higher employee, regulatory compliance and risk management costs." The Full Research Report on Fulton Financial Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investorsreports.com/report/2013-07-24/FULT]

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Associated Banc-Corp Research Report

On July 19, 2013, Associated Banc-Corp. (Associated Bank) announced that James Fink will join the Company as the Senior Vice President for Regional Commercial Lending. According to the Company, Fink provides customized lending solutions and financial planning to privately held business to meet their financial needs, and has been hired by the Company to expand lending to the construction industry in upper West region. Commenting on the appointment, David Prince, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Regional Director of Associated Bank said, "Jim brings a wealth of commercial banking experience to Associated Bank and is a great addition to the Regional Commercial Lending team in Minnesota. I am excited to have him on board." The Full Research Report on Associated Banc-Corp - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investorsreports.com/report/2013-07-24/ASBC]

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SOURCE Investors' Reports