Wintrust earnings reached a quarterly record of $239.1 million in the third quarter of 2026 as lending and deposit growth increased net interest income despite a nearly unchanged margin. The company announced the results on October 19, 2026, reporting diluted earnings per share of $3.37, compared with $3.30 in the preceding quarter.
Key Takeaways
- Quarterly net income rose 2% sequentially and 11% from a year earlier.
- Loans and deposits each grew at an 8% annualized pace, supporting higher interest income.
- Credit costs increased, although non-performing loans declined slightly.
Table of Contents
- Wintrust earnings extend a seven-quarter record streak
- Balance-sheet growth drives interest income
- Higher charge-offs accompany stable problem-loan measures
- Fee income and expenses temper the gains
- Conclusion
Wintrust earnings extend a seven-quarter record streak
Wintrust’s third-quarter earnings release showed net income increasing from $233.7 million in the second quarter and $216.3 million a year earlier. President and CEO Timothy S. Crane said the result marked the company’s seventh consecutive quarter of record net income.
For the first nine months of 2026, net income reached $700.1 million, up 17% from $600.8 million in the corresponding 2025 period. Diluted earnings per share increased to $9.89 from $8.25.
The quarterly improvement came primarily from a larger base of interest-earning assets rather than a wider margin. That distinction matters because the bank generated more interest income even as the spread-based profitability measure edged lower.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Total assets at September 30, 2026 | $75.97 billion |
| Total loans at September 30, 2026 | $56.80 billion, excluding mortgage loans held for sale |
| Total deposits at September 30, 2026 | $62.44 billion |
| Quarter-end loans-to-deposits ratio | 91.0% |
| Non-interest-bearing share of deposits | 19% |
Balance-sheet growth drives interest income
Net interest income increased to $621.6 million from $597.4 million in the second quarter. Wintrust attributed the gain to a $2.1 billion increase in average earning assets.
Net interest margin was 3.49%, down one basis point sequentially. On a fully taxable-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, the margin was 3.51%, also down one basis point and in line with the company’s prior guidance.
Total loans increased by approximately $1.1 billion during the quarter, while deposits rose by $1.3 billion. Wintrust said loan growth was diversified across its major portfolios and that organic deposit growth reflected its customer base and product offerings.
Higher charge-offs accompany stable problem-loan measures
The provision for credit losses rose to $25.9 million from $23.1 million in the second quarter. Net charge-offs increased to $21.0 million from $13.4 million, equivalent to an annualized 15 basis points of average loans versus 10 basis points previously.
Other credit indicators were steadier. Non-performing loans declined to $176.9 million, or 0.31% of total loans, from $179.3 million, or 0.32%, at June 30.
Wintrust said the provision reflected portfolio growth, stable credit quality and a mostly stable macroeconomic forecast, while acknowledging uncertainty about future economic performance.
Fee income and expenses temper the gains
Non-interest income fell to $136.3 million from $141.3 million in the second quarter. Lower mortgage banking revenue and a shift from investment securities gains to losses offset an increase in wealth management revenue.
Non-interest expense rose to $405.7 million from $397.5 million. FDIC insurance expense increased partly because the second quarter had benefited from a $5.2 million special assessment reversal.
Crane said management remained focused on balance-sheet growth, higher net interest income and disciplined expenses. The company also said its commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines indicated momentum for expected continued loan growth in the fourth quarter.
Conclusion
The fourth-quarter results will show whether Wintrust’s expected continued loan growth translates into further interest-income gains, and whether charge-offs stabilize after the third-quarter increase.
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