Regional banks

Vend Lease, which is based in Baltimore, focuses on suppliers and vendors in the hospitality industry.

The Birmingham, Ala., bank also saw lending decline in the quarter as strategic reductions in certain business lending lines offset gains in C&I and consumer.

While the regulatory environment is more accommodating for big deals, many regionals still have their reasons for staying on the sidelines.

The Cleveland company reported higher investment banking income and kept many expense items in check during the second quarter.

Comerica faced aggressive questioning Tuesday about how it could use freed-up capital now that it’s no longer considered a systemically important financial institution. It won’t be the last small regional to get such a grilling this earnings season.