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Wintrust Financial Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 20 April 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record net income for fifth straight quarter: Net income was a record $227.4 million, or $3.22 diluted EPS, versus $223.0 million, or $3.15, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Management cited the fifth consecutive quarter of record net income. Source
  • Pre-tax pre-provision income reached record: Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) was a record $330.5 million, compared with $329.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net interest income slightly lower on fewer days: Net interest income was $579.0 million, down $4.9 million from $583.9 million, primarily due to two fewer calendar days, partly offset by average earning asset growth. Source
  • Loans grew $1.0 billion, led by several categories: Total loans rose $1.0 billion, or 7% annualized, to $54.1 billion, with growth across most major loan categories, including industrial CRE and mortgage warehouse lines. Source
  • Deposits grew $1.2 billion with stable mix: Total deposits rose $1.2 billion, or 8% annualized, to $58.9 billion; non-interest-bearing deposits were 20% of total deposits. Source
  • Net interest margin rose two basis points: Net interest margin was 3.54% (3.56% fully taxable-equivalent), up two basis points, benefiting from two fewer calendar days. Loan yields fell 13 basis points; interest-bearing deposit funding cost fell 16 basis points. Source
  • Loan pipelines solid into second quarter: Gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines remained solid at March 31, 2026, indicating momentum for expected continued loan growth in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Net charge-offs declined to 14 basis points: Net charge-offs were $18.4 million, or 14 basis points annualized, down from $21.8 million, or 17 basis points, in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Non-performing loans stable at 0.34%: Non-performing loans were $182.7 million, or 0.34% of total loans, versus $185.8 million, or 0.35%, at year-end 2025; non-performing assets were $200.2 million, or 0.28% of total assets. Source
  • Dividend raised to $0.55 per share: Cash dividends declared were $0.55 per common share, up from $0.50 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source

“We are pleased with our first quarter 2026 results, with diversified loan growth, robust deposit generation and prudent expense management resulting in a fifth consecutive quarter of record net income.”

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: The company reported a dividend increase: cash dividends declared per common share rose to $0.55 from $0.50 in the prior quarter. Source
  • New: Management described a new net interest margin contribution from two fewer calendar days in the quarter, and the company reported a higher common dividend. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Record net income for fifth straight quarter: Net income was a record $227.4 million, or $3.22 diluted EPS, versus $223.0 million, or $3.15, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Management cited the fifth consecutive quarter of record net income. Source
  • Pre-tax pre-provision income reached record: Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) was a record $330.5 million, compared with $329.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net interest income slightly lower on fewer days: Net interest income was $579.0 million, down $4.9 million from $583.9 million, primarily due to two fewer calendar days, partly offset by average earning asset growth. Source

Segments and regions

  • Community banking loans grew across categories: Community banking increased its commercial, commercial real estate and residential real estate loan portfolios; mortgage banking revenue was $23.4 million. Source
  • Specialty finance premium financing balances eased: Insurance premium financing originations were $5.1 billion; average balances fell $81.0 million versus the fourth quarter, while leasing portfolio balances increased. Source
  • Wealth management assets under administration: Wealth management revenue was $42.1 million, and assets under administration were approximately $45.9 billion at March 31, 2026, excluding assets owned by the company and its banks. Source

“We believe the continued momentum in our financial results has us well-positioned for the remainder of 2026.”

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Loans grew $1.0 billion, led by several categories: Total loans rose $1.0 billion, or 7% annualized, to $54.1 billion, with growth across most major loan categories, including industrial CRE and mortgage warehouse lines. Source
  • Deposits grew $1.2 billion with stable mix: Total deposits rose $1.2 billion, or 8% annualized, to $58.9 billion; non-interest-bearing deposits were 20% of total deposits. Source
  • Wealth management income rose on trust fees: Wealth management revenue increased about $2.7 million, driven primarily by trust and asset management revenue; mortgage banking revenue rose to $23.4 million on higher production revenue. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Net interest margin rose two basis points: Net interest margin was 3.54% (3.56% fully taxable-equivalent), up two basis points, benefiting from two fewer calendar days. Loan yields fell 13 basis points; interest-bearing deposit funding cost fell 16 basis points. Source
  • Non-interest expense slightly lower: Non-interest expense was $382.6 million, down $1.9 million; salaries rose $5.9 million on annual merit increases, while travel and entertainment fell $2.5 million after fourth-quarter events. Source
  • Non-interest expense steady relative to assets: Non-interest expense was 2.21% of average assets, stable from the prior quarter; the efficiency ratio was 53.65%. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Loan pipelines solid into second quarter: Gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines remained solid at March 31, 2026, indicating momentum for expected continued loan growth in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Mortgage originations fell from fourth quarter: Total mortgage originations were $965.5 million, down from $1.16 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, while production revenue rose to $13.0 million. Source

Credit quality

  • Net charge-offs declined to 14 basis points: Net charge-offs were $18.4 million, or 14 basis points annualized, down from $21.8 million, or 17 basis points, in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Provision rose slightly to $29.6 million: Provision for credit losses was $29.6 million, versus $27.6 million in the fourth quarter; the allowance rose to $471.6 million. Source
  • Non-performing loans stable at 0.34%: Non-performing loans were $182.7 million, or 0.34% of total loans, versus $185.8 million, or 0.35%, at year-end 2025; non-performing assets were $200.2 million, or 0.28% of total assets. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Dividend raised to $0.55 per share: Cash dividends declared were $0.55 per common share, up from $0.50 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Capital ratios edged higher: Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (estimated) was 10.4%, up from 10.3%; tangible common equity ratio was 8.5%, unchanged; book value per common share rose to $103.10. Source
  • Tax rate lower on share-based compensation: Effective tax rate was 24.4%, down from 26.2%; net excess tax benefits from share-based compensation were $6.6 million. Source

Strategy and franchise

  • Management points to balance sheet growth: Management said the first quarter reflected execution of strategic priorities and expects sustained balance sheet growth alongside expense management and investment in its businesses. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management noted that future economic performance remains uncertain, with model results capturing uncertainty related to credit spreads and equity market valuations. Source
  • Financial: The company noted that a 100 or 200 basis point rate move affects net interest income under static shock scenarios, with a decline of 1.9% under a 200 basis point decrease. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.