Laura Alix

Despite merger-related charges, the Cleveland bank's first-quarter profit climbed 63% as the addition of a million new customers led to strong gains in both interest and fee income.

The New York bank has rapidly expanded its commercial real estate lending over the last several years, but now it is ready to slow down a bit and add more commercial and industrial loans to the mix.

Double-digit growth in earning assets more than offset higher expenses and a decline in the net interest margin.

Loan growth and increased fee income helped offset slightly higher expenses in the first quarter.

The hand-wringing over business lending has overshadowed the fact that consumer lending — particularly for regional banks — has become a strong and steady engine of growth.

The Birmingham, Ala., company's profit climbed 8% as higher market interest rates and investment securities balances offset lower average loan balances.