Commercial bank stocks dropped Wednesday after retail sales dropped again in April, crude oil prices set a new high and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the credit crisis is "still far from over."

Commercial bank stocks fell Tuesday morning after data showed retail sales slipped last month, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the credit crisis is easing but "still far from over."

Wachovia Corp., the nation's fourth-largest bank, said Monday its securities unit and affiliates have received inquiries and subpoenas from federal and state regulators over auction-rate securities.

Wachovia Corp <WB.N> Chief Executive Ken Thompson told investors on Monday his hard-hit U.S. regional bank was cutting back corporate and investment bank jobs to reduce costs.

By Joseph A. Giannone

Among the earnings projection stories for Monday, May 12, from AP Financial News:

Shares of national banks mostly rose Friday, though Citigroup Inc. shares slipped after the company disclosed that it plans to shed nearly $500 billion in assets.

Wachovia Corp. on Thursday stripped Chief Executive Ken Thompson of his chairman role in a move that separates the top management position from the top oversight role.

Wachovia Corp.'s increased focus on stabilizing its balance sheet and financial position has helped offset credit deterioration at one of the nation's largest banks, an analyst said Thursday while boosting his rating.

By Megan Davies and Paritosh Bansal

Among the earnings stories for Tuesday, May 6, from AP Financial News:

Wachovia Corp. said Tuesday it is nearly doubling previously reported losses for the first quarter after reviewing its portfolio of bank-owned life insurance.

Wachovia Corp. shares fell in morning trading Tuesday on news of UBS's first-quarter loss and impending job cuts helped drag the market lower.

Wachovia Corp <WB.N>, the fourth-largest U.S. bank, on Tuesday nearly doubled its previously reported first-quarter loss because of a write-down on three contracts in a bank-owned life insurance portfolio.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wachovia Corp <WB.N>, the fourth-largest U.S. bank, on Tuesday nearly doubled its previously reported first-quarter loss because of a write-down on three contracts in a bank-owned life insurance portfolio.