US Banks Gain in Key Metrics Despite Profit Dip, FDIC Says

US banks showed broad gains in key metrics during the fourth quarter despite a modest decline in overall profit, and the bedrock deposit insurance fund’s balance continued to tick higher, according the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Lenders reported a 2% drop in quarterly net income from the preceding period to $77.7 billion, according to the regulator’s quarterly assessment of the nation’s 4,336 insured lenders. Still, full-year profit was up 10% to $295.6 billion as higher net interest income and noninterest earnings offset rising expenses. The net interest margin widened to 3.39% during the quarter, driven by a 2.2% gain in net interest income.