WASHINGTON–Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported aggregate net income of $45.6 billion in the third quarter of 2016, up $5.2 billion (12.9%) from a year earlier.
The increase in earnings was mainly attributable to a $10 billion (9.2%) increase in net interest income and a $1.2 billion (1.9%) rise in noninterest income, the FDIC reported.
Meanwhile, the number of banks on the FDIC’s Problem List fell from 147 to 132 during the third quarter, the smallest number of problem banks in more than seven years and is down significantly from the peak of 888 in the first quarter of 2011.
One-time accounting and expense items at three institutions had an impact on the growth in income, the agency said. Banks also increased their loan-loss provisions by $2.9 billion (34%) from a year earlier, according to financial results for the third quarter of 2016 that were released as part of the FDIC’s latest Quarterly Banking Profile released.
Of the 5,980 insured institutions reporting third quarter financial results, 60.8% reported year-over-year growth in quarterly earnings. The proportion of banks that were unprofitable in the third quarter fell to 4.6% from 5.2% a year earlier. That was the lowest percentage since the third quarter of 1997, the FDIC said.
“Revenue and net income rose from a year ago, loan balances increased, asset quality improved, and the number of unprofitable banks and ‘problem banks’ continued to fall,” said FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg. “Community banks also reported solid results for the quarter with strong income, revenue, and loan growth.
“Nevertheless, the banking industry continues to operate in a challenging environment,” Gruenberg continued. “Low interest rates for an extended period have led some institutions to reach for yield, which has increased their exposure to interest-rate risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk. Current oil and gas prices continue to affect borrowers that depend on the energy sector and have had an adverse effect on asset quality. These challenges will only intensify as interest rates normalize.
“Banks must manage risks prudently to ensure that growth is on a long-run, sustainable path.”
Among the highlights of the Quarterly Report:
* Quarterly earnings were 12.9% higher than in the third quarter of 2015, as the average return on assets rose to 1.10% from 1.03% a year earlier. Strong revenue growth helped propel quarterly earnings.
* Net operating revenue – the sum of net interest income and total noninterest income – was $183.3 billion, an increase of $11.2 billion (6.5%) from a year earlier.
* The 5,521 insured institutions identified as community banks reported a $593 million (11.8%) increase in net income in the third quarter.
* Total loan and lease balances at community banks rose $31.1 billion during the third quarter. During the past 12 months, loans and leases at community banks rose $127.6 billion (9.4%).
* Net operating revenue of $23 billion at community banks was $1.8 billion (8.5%) higher than in the third quarter of 2015.
* Total loan and lease balances increased $112 billion during the third quarter. For the 12 months ended Sept. 30, loans and leases increased $590.8 billion (6.8%). Residential mortgages increased $28.6 billion (2.2%) during the quarter, while real estate loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate properties rose $22.4 billion (1.5%), and credit card balances increased $15.7 billion (2.1%).
* Banks charged off $10.1 billion in the third quarter, an increase of $1.5 billion (16.9%) from a year earlier. This is the fourth consecutive quarter that net charge-offs (NCOs) have risen year-over-year, the FDIC said.
* NCOs of loans to commercial and industrial (C&I) borrowers were up $946 million (82.7%), while credit card NCOs were up $658 million (13.4%) from the previous year. The average NCO rate in the third quarter was 0.44%, up from 0.40% a year earlier.
* The amount of loans and leases that were noncurrent – 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status – fell $2.5 billion (1.8%) during the three months ended September 30. Noncurrent credit card loans rose $1 billion (12.9%) and noncurrent C&I loans increased $154 million (0.6%), but noncurrent real estate loans fell $3.6 billion (3.8%). The overall noncurrent loan rate dropped to 1.45% from 1.50% at second quarter 2016.
* The number of banks on the FDIC’s Problem List fell from 147 to 132 during the third quarter. This is the smallest number of problem banks in more than seven years and is down significantly from the peak of 888 in the first quarter of 2011. Total assets of problem banks fell from $29.0 billion to $24.9 billion during the third quarter.
* The DIF increased $2.8 billion during the third quarter, from $77.9 billion at the end of June to $80.7 billion at the end of September, largely driven by $2.6 billion in assessment income. The DIF reserve ratio rose from 1.17% to 1.18% during the quarter. Because the reserve ratio surpassed 1.15% on June 30, lower regular FDIC assessment rates on all insured institutions went into effect in the third quarter. On average, regular quarterly assessments were about one-third lower than in the previous quarter, although temporary assessment surcharges on banks with assets greater than $10 billion led to an increase in total assessments at most large banks, the FDIC said.