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Strategic acquisitions in payments and investment banking helped the Cleveland company absorb compressed margins and lackluster results elsewhere. Management also vowed to keep cutting costs, including ongoing efforts to pare back its branch network.

Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., reported first-quarter earnings of $39.1 million, up 13% from a year earlier, as loans increased and mortgage revenue rose.

Home BancShares in Conway, Ark., reported higher first-quarter profit and assets after it acquired branches and loans from the failed Doral Bank in Puerto Rico.

PacWest Bancorp reported higher quarterly profit, as loan growth and lower expenses offset credit issues in the Los Angeles company's energy portfolio.

First Republic Bank reported higher quarterly profit, though loan growth pushed the San Francisco company above $50 billion in assets.

KeyCorp in Cleveland reported a drop in first-quarter earnings as expenses and its provision for loan losses crept up.

Goldman Sachs Group reported first-quarter earnings that beat analysts' estimates as the firm posted a bigger increase in revenue from trading debt, commodities and currencies than its rivals and the highest merger-advisory revenue since the financial crisis.

Citigroup boosted profit more than analysts estimated after a cost-cutting push helped it weather a slump in trading.

Umpqua Holdings in Portland, Ore., posted lower profit from a quarter earlier, largely reflecting a decline in net interest income.

First-quarter results from U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group shows banks have little choice but to wait until the Fed raises interest rates. They have cut expenses almost as far as they can go, and fee income is limited in how much it can offset narrower spread income.

IF Bancorp in Watseka, Ill., has selected the successor for its retiring president and chief executive.

Bank of America reported its best quarterly profit in more than a year, but with revenue declining and expense-reduction slowing, it is unclear where the company can turn to boost earnings. Similar questions are plaguing many banks as the latest earnings season unfolds.

Bank of the Ozarks could raise more capital, especially if a rising number of unfunded loans convert to funded credits. Management is also keeping an eye on credit quality, raising certain standards and selling some syndicated loans.

Boston Private Financial Holdings and its bank have shuffled some key executive posts.

PNC Financial Services Group posted profit that beat analysts' estimates as commercial lending accelerated.

Bank of America Corp., the second-biggest U.S. lender by assets, posted a $3.36 billion first-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates, as legal costs tumbled.

U.S. Bancorp posted profit that matched analysts' estimates on gains in mortgage-banking revenue.

The San Francisco bank has produced enough growth in mortgages, C&I and other areas and made other moves to offset low rates. It is a hopeful example for mortgage-heavy banks and other lenders battling tight margins.

More than 70 banks are set to hit their seventh anniversary this year, crossing a threshold where they will have reduced regulatory scrutiny and relaxed capital ratios. While many are excited about the potential to growth, they are aiming to do so carefully.

JPMorgan Chase reported strong loan growth and higher utilization in its commercial banking unit, which serves midsize businesses. It could set the stage for others to report similar results. Still, low interest rates are muffling the benefits.