Overall, optimism prevailed with several steps taken by banks to drive growth and resolve legacy issues. Most of the banking stocks showed positive price movement. Issues pertaining to pre-crisis business conduct continue to trouble major global banks.

Three days after Russia annexed the Crimea on March 17, U.S. President Barack Obama announced U.S. sanctions against Russian interests. In response the American business community issued a statement warning of the “real damage” the penalties would exact on U.S. companies.