Bank of America Corporation reported net income of $2 billion, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a net loss of $1.2 billion, or $0.16 per diluted share in the year-ago period. Revenue, net of interest expense, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis rose 11 percent to $25.1 billion.
For the full year, the company reported net income of $1.4 billion, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $2.2 billion, or $0.37 per diluted share in 2010. Revenue, net of interest expense, on an FTE basis1 declined 15 percent to $94.4 billion.
“We enter 2012 stronger and more efficient after two years of simplifying and streamlining our company,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan, said.
“We built our capital ratios to record levels during 2011 on the strength of our core businesses and by shedding those that are not core to serving customers and clients. I am proud of our team and their ability to serve our customers well while transforming the company.”
“Our fourth-quarter results reflect the aggressive steps we have been taking to strengthen the balance sheet and position the company for long-term growth,” Chief Financial Officer Bruce Thompson, said.
“During the quarter, we significantly increased capital and liquidity. Our Tier 1 common equity ratio increased to 9.86 percent from 8.65 percent in the third quarter of 2011, and our time-to-required funding increased to 29 months from 27 months. For 2012, our focus is to continue to build capital and liquidity and manage expenses.”
“Reflecting a gradually improving economy,” Moynihan, added.
“We saw solid business activity by companies of all sizes, with commercial and industrial loan balances rising 13 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010, and small business loan originations increasing approximately 20 percent in calendar year 2011.”
Revenue declined 24 percent to $4.1 billion from the year-ago quarter, driven by a decrease in net interest income of $647 million from lower average loans and yields. Also contributing to the decline in revenue was lower noninterest income due to the implementation of new interchange fee rules in the fourth quarter of 2011 as a result of the Durbin Amendment, which reduced revenue by $430 million. Average loans declined $15.6 billion from the year-ago quarter due to higher payment volumes, charge-offs, continued non-core portfolio runoff and divestitures.
Provision for credit losses decreased $708 million from the year-ago quarter to $1.1 billion, reflecting improving delinquencies and collections, and fewer bankruptcies as a result of improving economic conditions and lower loan balances.
Global Commercial Banking reported net income of $1.0 billion, flat from the year-ago quarter, reflecting a reduction in revenue, partially offset by lower credit costs from improved asset quality. Revenue was $2.6 billion, down 2 percent from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to lower loan balances. Noninterest expense was $1.0 billion, down 2 percent from the year-ago quarter as the business tightly managed costs.
The provision for credit losses was relatively flat compared to the year-ago quarter with a benefit of $146 million.
Average deposit balances continued to grow, increasing by $19.3 billion from the year-ago quarter, as clients continued to maintain higher levels of liquidity. Average commercial and industrial loan balances continued to show modest growth, increasing 4 percent from a year ago. However, total average loans and leases decreased $7.4 billion primarily due to reductions in the reservable criticized loans in the commercial real estate banking portfolio.
Consumer Real Estate Services reported a net loss of $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to a net loss of $4.9 billion for the same period in 2010. Revenue increased from $480 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 to $3.3 billion.
The increase in revenue was primarily driven by a $3.9 billion decrease in representations and warranties provision and a $908 million increase in MSR results, net of hedge, partially offset by a $1.1 billion decline in core production income and lower insurance income due to the sale of Balboa Insurance during the second quarter of 2011. The decrease in core production income was due to a 74 percent decline in new loan originations caused primarily by the exit from the correspondent lending channel and a decrease in retail market share.
Representations and warranties provision was $263 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $4.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010 which included the impact of the settlement agreements with the GSEs.
Provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased $197 million from the year-ago quarter to $1.0 billion, reflecting improving delinquencies.
Noninterest expense, excluding a goodwill impairment charge of $2.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, increased 15 percent to $4.6 billion. The increase reflected higher litigation expense of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $632 million in the same period in 2010, as well as higher default-related and other loss mitigation expenses. This was partially offset by lower production and insurance expenses and lower mortgage-related assessments and waivers costs associated with foreclosure delays.