"Regional Bank's Stock Plunges After Surprise Loss and Dividend Cut"
New York Community Bancorp, which played a rescuer role in a 2023 regional bank crisis, is now facing its own turmoil with a surprise net loss of $252 million for the fourth quarter and a suspension of its dividend, leading to a 46% stock drop. The bank's troubles stem from absorbing assets from a failed rival, pushing it above a $100 billion asset threshold and subjecting it to higher regulatory standards. CEO Thomas Cangemi emphasized the bank's efforts to strengthen its balance sheet and align with larger peers, but the future of regional banks in the face of challenges remains uncertain.