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

The Minneapolis company reported higher quarterly earnings thanks to strong performance in credit cards, investment management and other fee-based business lines.

Wintrust’s mortgage revenues fell in the first quarter, but net interest income picked up the slack.

The Mississippi company reported loan growth but a dip in profits after a first-quarter acquisition, and it warned that it is on alert for any new “lag” in the energy sector.

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.

Bank of America's year-over-year loan growth was slow, but parts of its commercial and U.S. consumer businesses were strong, prompting optimism from the CEO in the face of lackluster numbers across banking so far this earnings season.

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

The Columbus, Ga., company also announced late Monday that it is buying the credit card assets and brokered deposits of the retailer Cabela's and will then sell the card portfolio to Capital One.

Earnings at the Dallas-based company more than tripled because of a big improvement in credit quality, higher fee income and other factors.