From Tuesday's close, U.S. bank and thrift stocks were down during Wednesday's morning trading, Dec. 28.

Around midday, the SNL U.S. Bank Index had fallen 0.40% to 539.21, while the SNL U.S. Thrift Index had slid 0.17% to 970.82.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.04% to 19,937.13, the Nasdaq composite index dropped 0.36% to 5,467.82, and the S&P 500 fell 0.27% to 2,262.70.

In economic news, the pending home sales index dropped 2.5% to 107.3 in November, as compared to 110.0 in October. The index reflected a 0.4% decrease from the year-ago period. The brisk upswing in mortgage rates and a lack of inventory that dispirited some would-be buyers may have caused the dip, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The nation's biggest banks also were lower. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dipped 0.15% to $87.00, Bank of America Corp. was down 0.33% to $22.53, Wells Fargo & Co. fell 0.39% to $55.73 and Citigroup Inc. slid 0.32% to $60.89.

Among notable movers in the banking industry, Capitol Federal Financial Inc. rose 1.74% to $16.95, while Bank of New York Mellon Corp. added 1.26% to $48.33.

In the thrift space, New York Community Bancorp Inc. was up 0.25% to $15.89, while BofI Holding Inc. slid 0.44% to $29.65.

In other recent news, Compass Point analysts pointed to Investors Bancorp Inc. as a possible suitor for Astoria Financial Corp., saying that a recent bank stock rally increases the chances of another bidder emerging.

Astoria Financial increased 0.03% to $18.60, while Investors Bancorp fell 0.25% to $14.06.

Market prices and index values are current as of the time of publication and are subject to change.