Kristin Broughton

Net interest income rose 7% and margins widened 17 basis points at the Wayzata, Minn., company.

Auto risks mounting. Mortgage market tightening. Are there any good risks these days in consumer lending? Regional bank executives insist partnerships with online lenders, unsecured personal loans and other niche efforts can work if done properly.

Now that the Federal Reserve has raised short-term rates four times in the past 18 months, all eyes are on deposit costs as banks seek to keep pricing low and fatten margins. But that effort is complicated by the fact that banks must prepare for the unwinding of the Fed's balance sheet and consumers' rapid adoption of mobile deposits.

The Cincinnati company reaped the benefit of the latest round of interest rate hikes, as a higher net interest margin and lower costs helped overcome the drop in lending.

The Portland, Ore., company outlined a plan to boost its return on tangible common equity to between 13-15% by 2020. More details will be provided by fall, executives said.

Revenue growth in its merchant payments business is expected to be tepid in the foreseeable future. The Minneapolis company says it is looking to ramp up innovation to stay competitive in a business that has been upended by fintech firms and online shopping.

Declines in commercial products and mortgage banking fees at the Minneapolis company offset some of the benefits of higher interest rates.

In a sign of broader competition ahead, bigger banks are raising the interest they pay on deposits held by business customers. The big question is how hard will it be for banks to maintain margins and to stave off consumer demands for better rates.

The Dallas company is in the middle of a dramatic turnaround after scaling back on energy loans and slashing expenses. Still, followers of the company seek assurances that the discipline will endure.

A yearlong effort to slash costs boosted profits at the Dallas company.