Chart 2. The title is "Increased Core Earnings Cushion the Effects of Higher Provisions at the Region's Largest Banks." A combined bar and line chart showing the ratio of core earnings to average assets and the ratio of provision for loan and lease losses to average assets for the years 1994 through 2001. The ratio of core earnings to average assets was 1.8 percent in 1994; 1.9 percent in 1995; 2.1 percent in 1996, 1.9 percent in 1997, 1.8 percent in 1998, 2.0 percent in 1999, 1.9 percent in 2000, and 1.9 percent in 2001. The ratio of provision for loan and lease losses to average assets was 0.2 percent in 1994 through 1996, 0.3 percent in 1997, 0.2 percent in 1998 and 1999, 0.1 percent in 2000, and 0.4 percent in 2001.