Net interest margin

Net interest margins are on the rise and banks have the green light to return more capital to shareholders, but commercial lending and consumer credit quality remain trouble spots.

Even with net interest margins improving, banks are reluctant to raise rates on deposits until more floating-rate loans reprice. But how long can they wait before depositors start demanding higher yields?

The Atlanta company's profits rose on stronger net interest income and investment banking income as well as a tax maneuver.

Executives at BB&T, KeyCorp and Citizens are milking commercial lending niches and balancing cost control with new investments while waiting for more rate hikes to fatten margins.

First-quarter earnings at the Providence, R.I., company jumped 45% thanks partly to improvements in its net interest margin, 7% loan growth and stronger card and other noninterest income.

Bank of America beat expectations in several categories, including earnings per share, revenue and net interest margin.

A new accounting policy and improved profit margins fueled M&T Bank’s double-digit profit growth in the first quarter.

Earnings season kicked off with some banks capitalizing better than others on higher rates and still-low deposit costs. Banks will have to keep working on that balance as they contend with rising credit card losses, slower commercial lending and other issues.

A 9% increase in net interest income more than offset rising expenses at the Kansas City, Mo., company.

Business confidence remains high, but Fed data shows commercial borrowing actually decelerated during the first quarter. Fortunately for banks, rate hikes have fattened margins.

Banks eagerly raised their prime rates after the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike, but the debate about how they should react on the deposit side is robust, and conversations are beginning on how to respond on the investment portion of the balance sheet. Here is a sample of the lively discussion that is emerging.

Banks had a largely positive fourth quarter, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. still saw signs of concern ahead, including slower overall loan growth.

Income from derivative fees climbs 47%.

Citizens Financial Group in Providence, R.I., reported bigger profits in the fourth quarter on the strength of loan growth and improvements in its loan yield.

While the rising interest rate environment has gotten a lot of attention, plenty of other factors will play a role in CUs’ financial fortunes in the year ahead, including a potential Dodd-Frank rollback, rising delinquencies and more.

PNC’s fourth-quarter profit improved on higher lending to corporate customers for real estate and other loans.

First Internet Bancorp is the latest institution to enter the business or to significantly expand operations.