Laurentian Bank's Q3 profit grew to $30.1 million despite hit from loan loss

MONTREAL - Laurentian Bank's operations continued to gain traction in the third quarter with profits growing by five per cent to $30.1 million on higher revenues, despite the drag of higher provisions for loans losses.

The Montreal-based bank (TSX:LB) earned $1.13 per diluted share for the period ended July 31, compared to $1.08 a year earlier when net income was $28.7 million.

Total revenue grew seven per cent to $188.8 million.

Operating profits increased nine per cent or $5.7 million as a result of increases in all segments except Laurentan Bank Securities, which decreased $9 million.

Loan losses grew by 25 per cent to $20 million, from $16 million last quarter and in the third quarter of 2009 as Laurentan took a hit primarily from one commercial loan.

Laurentian president and CEO Rejean Robitaille said the bank continued to see improvements in its earnings and revenues because of higher net interest margins and a growth in loan and deposit volumes.

"Owing to numerous growth and development initiatives, several of which are coming to fruition, revenue increased substantially which demonstrated our capacity for organic growth," he said during a conference call.

The initiatives were largely responsible for higher non-interest income. Net interest income increased 15 per cent to $129.9 million due to higher net interest margins and loan and deposit growth.

"We are pleased that all our business segments continued to provide opportunities to improve our profitability and contribute to the bank's success," he told analysts.

Sumit Malhotra of Macquarie Securities said if the provision for loan losses is non-recurring, "then rise in net interest margin is the more important take away."

The bank said its return on common shareholders’ equity was 11 per cent, down from 11.6 per cent a year earlier.

The bank has achieved sustained growth in recent years. Since 2006, its loans have increased by 42 per cent and its deposits by 46 per cent due to strategic investments and marketing initiatives, said Robitaille.

Laurentian was the first North American bank to have its rating upgraded by Standard & Poor's since the financial crisis.

"It is our solidity in combination with our agility which enabled Laurentian to also be the only Canadian bank to consistently increase earnings per share over the past five years in the face of one of the worst financial crises in history," he added.

Robitaille said the bank will remain cautious about its capital until new international rules are clarified later this fall.

Shares in Laurentian were fell 90 cents, or 1.89 per cent, to $46.66 in afternoon trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.