View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

FDIC: Press Releases - PR-36-2010 2/23/2010

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

Home

|

Deposit Insurance

Press Releases

|

Online Press Room

Consumer Protection
Conferences & Events

|

Industry Analysis

Financial Institution Letters

|

Regulations & Examinations

Special Alerts

Press Releases
FDIC-Insured Institutions Report Earnings of $914 Million in the
Fourth Quarter of 2009
Full-Year Net Income Totaled $12.5 Billion

Media Contact:
Andrew Gray (202) 898-7192
angray@fdic.gov

Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
reported an aggregate profit of $914 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, a $38.7 billion improvement
from the $37.8 billion net loss the industry sustained in the fourth quarter of 2008, but still well below
historical norms for quarterly profits. More than half of all institutions (50.3 percent) reported year-overyear improvements in their quarterly net income. Almost one-third of all institutions (32.7 percent)
reported net losses for the quarter, compared to 34.6 percent a year earlier. For the full-year, banks
reported net income totaling $12.5 billion – up from $4.5 billion in 2008.
"Consistent with a recovering economy, we saw signs of improvement in industry performance," said
FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair. "But as we have said before, recovery in the banking industry tends to
lag behind the economy, as the industry works through its problem assets."
Several factors contributed to the year-over-year improvement in quarterly earnings. Noninterest income
was $21.7 billion (53.2 percent) higher in the fourth quarter than a year earlier and noninterest expense
declined by $16.2 billion (14.2 percent). Realized losses on securities and other assets were $8.7 billion
lower and net interest income was $1.7 billion (1.8 percent) higher. Provisions for loan losses totaled
$61.1 billion in the quarter, a decline of $10.0 billion (14.1 percent) from the fourth quarter of 2008. This
is the first time since the third quarter of 2006 that quarterly loss provisions have been below yearearlier levels.
The FDIC noted that indicators of asset quality continued to deteriorate during the fourth quarter,
although the pace of deterioration slowed for a third consecutive quarter. Insured banks and thrifts
charged off $53.0 billion in uncollectible loans during the quarter, up from $38.6 billion a year earlier,
and noncurrent loans and leases increased by $24.3 billion during the fourth quarter. At the end of
2009, noncurrent loans and leases totaled $391.3 billion, or 5.37 percent of the industry's total loans and
leases.
Total loans and leases declined by $128.8 billion (1.7 percent) during the quarter. This is the sixth
consecutive quarter in which the industry's loan balances declined. Loans to commercial and industrial
(C&I) borrowers declined by $54.5 billion (4.3 percent) and real estate construction and development
loans declined by $41.5 billion (8.4 percent).
Referring to more stringent lending standards and lower real estate values, Chairman Bair said,
"Resolving these credit market dislocations will take time. We encourage institutions to lend using a
balanced approach as outlined in the recent interagency policy statements. Institutions should neither
over-rely on models to identify and manage concentration risk nor automatically refuse credit to sound
borrowers because of those borrowers' particular industry or geographic location."
Total assets of insured institutions declined by $137.2 billion (1.0 percent). Banks' investments in
mortgage-backed securities increased by $44.8 billion (3.3 percent) and U.S. Treasury securities rose by
$15.9 billion (18.3 percent).
Financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year are contained in the FDIC's latest Quarterly
Banking Profile, which was released today. Among the other findings:
Full-year revenues were higher than in 2008. Noninterest income, which had fallen in each of
the two previous years, was $52.8 billion (25.4 percent) higher than in 2008, while net interest income
was $38.1 billion (10.6 percent) higher. These improvements were partially offset by a $71.5 billion (40.6
percent) rise in loan loss provisions in 2009. Fewer than half of all institutions (41 percent) reported
increased net income in 2009, and 29.5 percent of all insured institutions posted net losses for the year.

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2010/pr10036.html[6/27/2012 12:23:40 PM]

|

Asset Sales

Letters to the Editor/Opinion Editorials

Home > News & Events > Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2010

Search FDIC...

|

News & Events

Speeches & Testimony

Submit

|

FDIC: Press Releases - PR-36-2010 2/23/2010

As expected, the number and total assets of institutions on the FDIC's "Problem List"
continued to rise. At the end of December, there were 702 insured institutions on the "Problem List,"
up from 552 on September 30. In addition, the total assets of "problem" institutions increased during the
quarter from $345.9 billion to $402.8 billion. Forty-five institutions failed during the fourth quarter,
bringing the total number of failures for the year to 140, the highest annual total since 1992.
The FDIC's liquid resources – cash and marketable securities -- increased to $66
billion at year-end from $23 billion at the end of September. To provide the funds needed
to resolve failed institutions in 2010 and beyond without immediately reducing the industry's earnings
and capital, the FDIC Board approved a measure on November 12th that required most insured
institutions to prepay about three years worth of deposit insurance premiums – almost $46 billion – at
the end of 2009.
The Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) balance – the net worth of the fund – decreased by $12.7 billion
during the fourth quarter. The fund balance of negative $20.9 billion (unaudited) as of December 31
reflects a $44 billion contingent loss reserve that has been set aside to cover estimated losses. Just as
banks reserve for loan losses, the FDIC has to set aside reserves for anticipated losses to the DIF from
insured institution failures. Combining the fund balance with this contingent loss reserve shows total DIF
reserves of $23.1 billion.
Total insured deposits increased by 13.5 percent ($641.3 billion) during 2009, which reflects the
temporary increase in the standard maximum FDIC deposit insurance amount from $100,000 to
$250,000.
The complete Quarterly Banking Profile is available at http://www2.fdic.gov/qbp on the FDIC Web site.
###
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 8,012 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 at www.fdic.gov, by subscription
electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the
FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). PR-36-2010

Last Updated 2/23/2010
Home | Contact Us | Search | Help | SiteMap | Forms | En Español
Website Policies | Privacy Policy | Plain Writing Act of 2010 | USA.gov | FDIC Office of Inspector General
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Service Center | FDIC Open Government Webpage | No FEAR Act Data

http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2010/pr10036.html[6/27/2012 12:23:40 PM]

communications@fdic.gov