Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick downplayed the importance of government investigations into potential money laundering issues involving wealth management clients. "We've been focused on our client on-boarding and monitoring processes for a good while," he said.

The Pittsburgh-based regional bank also emphasized expense control for the first quarter and throughout 2024 as it manages credit quality vulnerabilities and higher charge-offs, particularly among office loans.

Bank of America and other banks' balance sheets have remained resilient despite higher interest rates, though uncertainties remain, including inflation and attacks in the Middle East.

The Buffalo, New York-based bank set a goal four years ago to limit its commercial real estate loan portfolio to 160% of its capital and reserves, and it's closing in on that target, says Chief Financial Officer Daryl Bible.

The New York megabank is working to deploy artificial intelligence as it seeks to make its own operations more efficient. Solomon also sees an "unprecedented" opportunity in financing clients' needs as they invest in AI.

The company reported $4.74 billion in net revenue in the first quarter, down 7.3% from a year earlier but exceeding analysts' estimates of $4.71 billion.

The company's 28% increase in first-quarter net income was led by its traders — who eluded the slowdown at chief rival JPMorgan Chase — and bankers who cashed in on a resurgence in dealmaking activity.

The global bank is making good on its promise to trim expenses, but its ability to increase revenues at the same time remains unclear, partly because of the relatively weak performance of its wealth management business.

JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo said the battle for deposits isn't over — a reality denting their ability to earn more interest income. Regional banks will likely report similar pains next week.

The giant custody bank convinced clients to park more money in accounts with the Boston-based company, prompting it to increase its full-year 2024 projections, Chief Financial Officer Eric Aboaf said.

First-quarter results at the companies were promising for other banks looking to reel in fees from capital markets activities as deposit costs put pressure on net interest income.

Home loan originations were tepid in the first quarter, but higher margins helped large depositories bolster income even when the drop was particularly steep.

The banking giant nonetheless saw strong growth in net new assets in the first quarter and a 14% jump in returns from asset management fees.

Citigroup's earnings topped analysts' estimates as corporations tapped markets for financing and consumers leaned on credit cards.

The company reported net interest income that slightly missed analyst estimates, a sign the benefit of higher interest rates may be waning amid pressure to pay out more to depositors. Costs rose on higher compensation and an FDIC assessment.

The company missed estimates for net interest income in the first quarter, a sign that muted loan growth and increased pressure to pay out more for deposits are eating into the benefit of higher rates. 

With high deposit and borrowing costs persisting amid the Federal Reserve's campaign against inflation, lenders face stress on their net interest margins and the potential of troubled loans ticking up.

Each spring during the rush of annual meetings, a handful of financial institutions take heat from shareholders who demand new strategies, management shakeups and, at times, even a sale of the company.

Bank of America, Citi and Navy Federal are among banks and credit unions to recently manage through unforeseen challenges.

MoneyLion saw continued financial growth in 2023, achieving four straight quarters of positive earnings. In 2024, it plans to develop a partnership with EY to bolster its enterprise services.