New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) plummeted Wednesday morning after reporting a surprise loss and slashed its dividend as it preps for stricter capital requirements. Several other regional banks retreated, while Treasury yields fell.

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The New York-area bank lost 27 cents a share in Q4 vs. views for a 29-cent gain. Credit losses provisions soared to $552 million from $62 million in Q3, bringing those reserves more in line with peers, NYCB said.

New York Community Bancorp rose above the $100 billion asset threshold with the December 2022 acquisition of Flagstar Bank followed by the March 2023 rescue of Signature Bank.

NYCB also slashed its dividend to 5 cents a share from 17 cents to shore up capital.

NYCB Stock

NYCB stock dived 34.5% to 6.80 in Wednesday’s market trading. Shares hit a record low of 5.58 intraday.

Regional banks fell, but so far aren’t suggesting a return to last year’s crisis sell-off.

Valley National Bancorp (VLY) plunged 8.1%, gapping below its 50-day line. Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL) sank 3.3%, but came well off lows. WAL stock was one of the most embattled during last spring’s regional bank crisis.

There was less impact on superregional banks. U.S. Bancorp (USB) slipped 2%. PNC Financial Services (PNC) edged down just 0.3%.

The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) slumped 3.6%, but has rebounded from support at the 50-day line.

Treasury Yields, Fed Odds Shift

Still, the 10-year Treasury yield tumbled 10 basis points to 3.96%, undercutting 4% for the first time in over two weeks. The yield had come down to 4.01% before the open on a weak ADP employment report.

Markets now see a 63% chance of a Fed rate cut in March, up from 40% on Tuesday. There’s now a 96% chance of a rate cut by early May, and 55% of a cumulative 50 basis points.,

The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day meeting at 2 p.m. ET, with Fed chief Jerome Powell speaking at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Please follow Ed Carson on Threads at @edcarson1971 and X/Twitter at @IBD_ECarson for stock market updates and more.

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