Top Financial Companies To Watch For 2014

It�� another bad day for teen retail. Late last night, clothing retailer Aeropostale (ARO) reported a bigger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter loss, a 15% drop in same-store sales and unveiled disappointing third-quarter financial forecasts. So it�� little wonder investors are dropping the stock like last year�� fashion.

But there�� more to worry about — namely the cash burn.

Aeropostale’s cash balance fell 40% to�$100 million�as�mounting operating losses burned�cash. Cowen & Co. analyst John Kernan predicts the company may need to issue debt or draw on a revolving credit facility to fund working capital late in fiscal 2014 unless sales and margin trends improve. But rising interest rates could make it even more difficult for Aeropostale to return to profitability. Kernan writes:

Top Financial Companies To Watch For 2014: Aviva plc (AV)

Aviva plc provides insurance, savings, and fund management products and services worldwide. It offers life insurance and savings products, which comprise pensions products, such as personal and group pensions, stakeholder pensions, and income drawdown; annuities; protection products, including term assurance, mortgage life insurance, flexible whole life, and critical illness cover; bonds and savings comprising single premium investment bonds, regular premium savings plans, mortgage endowment products, and funding agreements; and investment products consisting of unit trusts, individual savings accounts, and open ended investment companies, as well as equity release and structured settlements. The company also provides general and health insurance products that include personal lines of insurance products, such as motor, household, travel, and creditor insurance; commercial lines of insurance products consisting of fleet, liability, and commercial property insurance; health insurance products comprising private health, income protection, personal accident, and corporate healthcare insurance products; and insurance for corporate and specialty risks. In addition, it offers fund management products and services for institutional, pension fund, and retail clients. Aviva plc sells its products through various distribution channels, including direct sales forces, intermediaries, corporate partnerships, bancassurance, and joint ventures, as well as through the telephone and Internet. The company was formerly known as CGNU plc and changed its name to Aviva plc in July 2002. Aviva plc is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top Financial Companies To Watch For 2014: Lakeland Bancorp Inc.(LBAI)

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company of Lakeland Bank, which provides various commercial and consumer banking products and services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and individuals primarily in northern New Jersey. The company's depository products include checking accounts, savings accounts, demand deposits, time deposits, NOW accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. It also offers short and medium term loans, lines of credit, letters of credit, inventory and accounts receivable financing, real estate construction loans, mortgage loans, merchant credit card services, secured and unsecured loans, consumer installment loans, and commercial and industrial loans. In addition, the company provides wire transfer, Internet banking, night depository services, and safe deposit services; cash management services, such as remote capture of deposits and overnight sweep repurchase agreements; and investment and advisory s ervices. It operates 47 banking offices in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties in New Jersey. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Oak Ridge, New Jersey.

5 Best Penny Stocks To Buy Right Now: Peoples Bancorp Inc.(PEBO)

Peoples Bancorp Inc. operates as a holding company for Peoples Bank, National Association that provides financial products and services. It offers commercial and retail banking, insurance, brokerage, and trust services. The company accepts various deposit products, including demand deposit accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit; and provides commercial, consumer, and real estate mortgage loans, as well as lines of credit. It also offers debit and automated teller machine (ATM) cards; corporate and personal trust services; safe deposit rental facilities; travelers checks, money orders, and cashier?s checks; and telephone and Internet-based banking services. In addition, the company provides a range of life, health, and property and casualty insurance products; and fiduciary and wealth management services. Further, it offers brokerage services through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer; and credit cards to consumers and business es, as well as provides merchant credit card processing services through joint marketing arrangements with third parties. The company offers its financial products and services through 47 financial service locations and 40 ATMs in southeastern Ohio, northwestern West Virginia, and northeastern Kentucky. Peoples Bancorp Inc. was founded in 1902 and is based in Marietta, Ohio.

Top Financial Companies To Watch For 2014: SP Bancorp Inc.(SPBC)

SP Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for SharePlus Federal Bank that provides community banking products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. The company offers various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio includes residential mortgage loans secured by residential real estate; commercial real estate and home equity loans, including lines of credit and home improvement loans; consumer loans consisting primarily of automobile loans; and commercial business loans. The company also provides brokerage services for the purchase and sale of non-deposit investment and insurance products through a third-party brokerage arrangement. It provides its services through seven branches, four of which are located near the Bank's headquarters in Plano, Texas; two branches are located in Louisville, Kentuc ky; and one branch is located in Irvine, California. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.