Wintrust earnings reached a record $239.1 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2026 as loan growth lifted net interest income. The results, announced October 19 ahead of the company’s October 20 earnings call, improved from $233.7 million in the preceding quarter and $216.3 million a year earlier.
Key Takeaways
- Third-quarter net income rose 11% year over year, marking Wintrust’s seventh consecutive quarterly profit record.
- Net interest income increased as earning assets expanded, despite a slight sequential decline in lending margin.
- Credit-loss provisions and net charge-offs rose, while non-performing loans edged lower.
Table of Contents
- Wintrust earnings grow with a larger lending balance sheet
- Loans and deposits expand together
- Higher credit costs accompany lower problem-loan balances
- Fee income and expenses temper the profit increase
- Conclusion
Wintrust earnings grow with a larger lending balance sheet
Wintrust’s third-quarter results announcement showed diluted earnings per share rising from $3.30 in the second quarter and $2.78 a year earlier. For the first nine months of 2026, net income reached $700.1 million, up 17% from $600.8 million in the same period of 2025.
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, showing that balance-sheet growth rather than a wider margin drove the improvement.
Net interest margin slipped one basis point sequentially to 3.49%. On a fully taxable-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, the margin was 3.51%, which management said was in line with its prior guidance.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Total assets at September 30, 2026 | $75.97 billion |
| Quarter-end loans-to-deposits ratio | 91.0% |
| Cash dividends declared per common share | $0.55 for the third quarter, versus $0.50 a year earlier |
| Wealth management assets under administration | Approximately $51.5 billion at September 30, excluding company- and bank-owned assets |
Loans and deposits expand together
Total loans increased by approximately $1.1 billion during the quarter, while deposits grew by $1.3 billion. Both represented annualized growth of 8%, and Wintrust said lending gains were diversified across its major portfolios.
Non-interest-bearing deposits accounted for 19% of total deposits, with average balances remaining stable in recent quarters. Management described commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines as solid at September 30 and said they supported expectations for continued loan growth in the fourth quarter.
Higher credit costs accompany lower problem-loan balances
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, taking the annualized charge-off rate to 15 basis points of average loans from 10 basis points.
Those higher realized losses did not coincide with an increase in non-performing loans. Their balance declined to $176.9 million, or 0.31% of total loans, from $179.3 million, or 0.32%, at June 30.
Wintrust said its 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 profit increase
Non-interest income fell to $136.3 million from $141.3 million in the second quarter. Mortgage banking revenue declined to $25.5 million from $27.4 million as originations weakened, while investment securities produced net losses rather than the preceding quarter’s net gains.
Non-interest expense increased to $405.7 million from $397.5 million. The comparison partly reflected a $5.2 million FDIC special-assessment reversal that had reduced second-quarter expenses; FDIC insurance expense consequently rose by $5.5 million in the third quarter.
Chief Executive Officer Timothy S. Crane said management remained focused on balance-sheet growth, higher net interest income and disciplined expense management. His expectation of further revenue growth through year-end remains an outlook, not a reported result.
Conclusion
Fourth-quarter performance will show whether continued loan growth can sustain Wintrust’s interest-income gains while credit costs and expenses rise. Management expects further lending and revenue growth, but those outcomes remain prospective.
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