Sterne Agee Maintains Neutral on Umpqua Holdings

Sterne Agee is out with its report today on Umpqua Holdings

, maintaining Neutral. In a note to clients, Sterne Agee writes, "We think the potential of organic loan growth is highest at UMPQ amongst this group, and industry sources indicate that there have been increased M&A discussions for an area we have considered open bank acquisition activity likely to lag other parts of the country. EPS and profitability are not likely to change much; the NIM is also likely to be softer after rebounding last quarter." At the time of posting, shares of UMPQ were trading at $11.78, down 1.09% from Friday's close.