Wintrust Financial Corporation’s (NASDAQ: WTFC) earnings plunged by 68% quarter over quarter to $0.34 per share in the second quarter of 2020. A hike in provision expense was the major contributor to the earnings decline. Earnings will likely improve in the year ahead compared to the first half of the year due to fees from the Paycheck Protection Program and lower provision expense. However, earnings will likely remain below pre-COVID-19 levels due to higher-than-normal provision expense and a reduction in net interest margin. For the full year of 2020, I’m expecting earnings to decline