Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported record net income of $32.5 billion for the third quarter of 2004, surpassing the previous quarterly high of $31.8 billion in the first quarter of the year. The record profits were fueled in part by increased lending to consumers and businesses and higher gains on sales of securities and other assets. Third-quarter profits also were 6.9 percent higher than in the third quarter of 2003.

"Credit quality on average is the best we've ever seen, and banks are actively making loans," said FDIC Chairman Don Powell. "Commercial lending is clearly on the way back." FDIC analysts did note some weaknesses in noninterest sources of revenue earned by large banks. They also emphasized the fact that the industry benefited from a unique combination of positive factors during the quarter.

Preliminary results for the third quarter are contained in the FDIC's Quarterly Banking Profile, which was released today. Among the major findings in the latest report:

• Net interest income grew strongly, boosted by growth in lending. The $198 billion increase in loans and leases was the second largest quarterly increase ever reported by the industry. Growth in consumer loans remained robust, while commercial and industrial loan demand showed signs of picking up momentum.
• Net interest margins improved at community banks. At institutions with assets of less than $1 billion, the average net interest margin grew by nine basis points during the quarter. Since net interest income is the main source of revenue for smaller institutions, the improvement in margins meant improved profitability as well. The 1.20 percent return on assets (ROA) for these banks and thrifts was the highest quarterly result since the third quarter of 1998.
• Asset quality indicators continued to improve. Noncurrent loans -- those that were 90 days or more past due or in nonaccrual status -- fell for the eighth consecutive quarter. The percent of loans that were noncurrent declined from 0.89 percent at midyear to 0.85 percent at the end of September. This is the lowest level for this ratio in the more than 20 years that banks have reported noncurrent loan data. Net charge-offs of nonperforming loans also declined during the quarter.
• Noninterest income declined, reflecting weakness in trading revenues and servicing income. Most of the weakness was concentrated among larger institutions. The $2.6 billion net decline in noninterest income was caused by a $1.3 billion decline in trading income, a $1.5 billion decline in gains on sales of loans and other assets, and a $1.3 billion drop in servicing income.

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 9,025 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars – insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web at www.fdic.gov and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).