Monday's Headlines: Banks Are Happy, Their Investors Are Happy

By most accounts, banks are looking good these days. JPMorgan leads the pack in dividend payouts and share buybacks, both of which the Fed approved, a signal that the industry has turned a corner after the 2008-2009 bailout crisis. "In 2010 the banking system turned a profit, emboldening regulators to permit banks to return money to shareholders through dividends and buybacks," according to Reuters

This could mean an additional $22 billion annually for investors , even as three of the 19 largest banks and a total of nearly 600 institutions have yet to repay $30 billion of the U.S. bailout aid they accepted took at the height of the crisis.

Other Headlines

AIG said first-quarter catastrophes including the earthquake in Japan will cost the company $1 billion. [BusinessWeek]

Buffett says South Korea a 'hunting ground' for acquisitions. [Bloomberg]

Credit Suisse is expected to beat its 2012 target for its wealth business in Asia after an encouraging 1Q. [BusinessWeek]

An SEC rule on global median employee pay could embarrass companies. [Bloomberg]

Nasdaq bid for NYSE could die on antitrust issue. [WSJ]

Charles Schwab will buy equities and options futures trading firm OptionsXpress Holdings. [WSJ]