Morgan Stanley became the latest big Wall Street bank to tap the U.S. investment-grade market Wednesday after reporting earnings, as strong investor demand helps lenders borrow at lower yields than would have been possible at the start of the month.

The Minneapolis-based company reported an 18% increase in quarterly net income thanks largely to slimmed-down operating expenses. It also notched modest increases in loans and deposits, while asset quality issues remained manageable.

CEO Ron O'Hanley touted an "encouraging financial performance" at the $326 billion-asset custody giant due to asset inflows and a jump in income from securities and loans.

The Wall Street investment bank saw its profits rebound in the second quarter as last year's decline in mergers continued to thaw. "The game will have to go on because there's just been so much activity that has been suppressed," said CEO Ted Pick.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank saw profits and net interest income dip in the second quarter, but made up lost revenue through investment banking fees.

The Pittsburgh-based superregional bank reported a small quarter-over-quarter advance in net interest income, and it expects loan growth to pick up in the second half of the year. PNC, which announced job cuts last year, also said that it has identified an additional $25 million in cost savings.

The investment banking giant said that it will "moderate" its pace of share repurchases as it continues to talk to the Federal Reserve, which recently increased its stress capital buffer from 5.5% to 6.4%.

Two days after the megabank was hit with $136 million of fines, Citi executives said they aren't changing the company's full-year expense guidance. Citi has 30 days to submit a plan to regulators showing that the bank has allocated enough resources to achieve compliance in a timely and sustainable manner.

Investment banking fees shot up at the nation's largest bank, thanks to rebounds in M&A and the equity capital markets segment. And despite higher credit costs in the company's card business, a top bank executive expressed confidence in the health of U.S. consumers.

The San Francisco bank's interest expenses continue to rise as depositors switch to higher-yielding options. At the same time, soft loan demand from business customers is putting a lid on how much interest Wells is collecting from borrowers.