CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC - news) today reported second quarter earnings of $2.02 billion, or $1.24 per share (diluted), compared to $2.06 billion, or $1.23 per share, a year ago. Earnings per share increased 8 percent over the first quarter of 2001. The return on common equity was 16.7 percent.

''Our performance in the face of a strong economic headwind was gratifying,'' said Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman and chief executive officer. ''We produced attractive revenue growth across most of our business lines, which allowed us to produce a solid bottom line for our shareholders as we continued to make key investments to fuel future growth. Our ability to grow revenue in this economic environment demonstrates that we are beginning to unlock the value inherent in our unique franchise. However, we have a lot of work to do to reach the premium returns and stock valuation that our shareholders desire. And we are committed to doing that work.''

For the first half of 2001, Bank of America earned $2.39 per share (diluted), compared to $2.56 per share a year ago. Net income was $3.89 billion for the first six months of 2001. This compares to $4.30 billion reported during the same period in 2000. Shareholder Value Added (SVA) was $1.47 billion.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights (compared to a year ago)

• Net interest income increased 9 percent, driven by a favorable change in loan mix, lower funding costs and increased trading activities. The net interest yield increased 38 basis points to 3.61 percent.
• Consumer-based fee income continued its momentum with growth of 11 percent.
• Investment banking income grew 22 percent, led by strong fixed-income originations and syndications.
• Pricing initiatives continued to attract customers to money market savings accounts leading to a 19 percent balance increase. Average deposits grew to $363 billion, up $10 billion, or 3 percent.

''During the quarter, we continued to make investments in products and processes that make our customers' experience with us even better,'' said Lewis. ''Digital check imaging was rolled out across all banking centers in Georgia. In May, we began to roll out premier relationship centers, which are our centralized sales and service centers, across the franchise. And we now have nearly 1 million electronic bill pay customers who utilize this channel to make more than $3 billion of payments a quarter.''

Revenue

Revenue grew by 8 percent in the second quarter from the previous year, reflecting strong gains in both net interest income and noninterest income.

Fully taxable-equivalent net interest income increased 9 percent to $5.12 billion. Falling interest rates and a steepened yield curve allowed the company to shed lower yielding assets faster than planned. Additional benefits were achieved from trading activities, deposit growth and a favorable shift in mix on the balance sheet from commercial to consumer loans. These factors resulted in a 38 basis point improvement in the net yield to 3.61 percent.

Noninterest income was up 6 percent to $3.74 billion. This growth was driven by strong increases in service charges, mortgage banking results, card income and investment and brokerage services. Investment banking income increased 22 percent to $455 million, while trading profits declined $109 million to $376 million.

Efficiency

Noninterest expense was up 9 percent to $4.82 billion compared to the prior year. Primary drivers of expenses were revenue-related incentive payments and increases in marketing, as the company pursued its national brand-building campaign. The cash-basis efficiency ratio was 51.92 percent.

Credit Quality

In line with the company's expectations, credit quality declined as the economy continued its slowdown.

• The provision for credit losses in the second quarter was $800 million compared to $470 million a year earlier.
• Net charge-offs were $787 million, or 0.82 percent of loans and leases, up from $470 million, or 0.48 percent, a year ago. The growth in charge-offs from last year continued to be largely concentrated in the commercial domestic portfolio. An increase in bankcard outstandings and personal bankruptcy filings during the first half of 2001 contributed to a $96 million increase in consumer charge-offs from a year earlier.
• Nonperforming assets were $6.2 billion, or 1.63 percent of loans, leases and foreclosed properties at June 30, 2001, compared to $3.9 billion, or 0.97 percent, a year earlier. The majority of the increase in nonperforming assets was concentrated in the domestic commercial loan portfolio, which accounted for 72 percent of the growth. Consumer finance nonperforming loans accounted for 18 percent of the growth in nonperforming assets.

  In the second quarter, nonperforming assets rose 5 percent, or $298 million, and net charge-offs were up 2 percent, or $15 million, from the first quarter of 2001.

• The allowance for credit losses totaled $6.9 billion at June 30, 2001, up $96 million from a year ago. The allowance equaled 1.82 percent of loans and leases compared to 1.70 percent.

Capital Management

Total shareholders' equity was $49.3 billion at June 30, 2001, up 8 percent from 12 months earlier and representing 7.88 percent of period-end assets of $626 billion. The Tier 1 Capital Ratio rose 50 basis points from June 30, 2000 to 7.90 percent.

During the quarter, the company repurchased 15 million shares. Since June 1999, 175 million shares have been repurchased, representing an investment in Bank of America stock of $9.7 billion. Average (diluted) common shares outstanding were 1.63 billion in the second quarter, down 3 percent from 1.68 billion a year earlier but up slightly from last quarter as a greater number of associates exercised stock options that expired at the end of the second quarter.

Consumer and Commercial Banking

Consumer and Commercial Banking (CCB) earned $1.27 billion, up 2 percent from a year ago, despite a $167 million increase in provision expense. Total revenues grew 6 percent. Return on equity was 23.4 percent and SVA grew $49 million to $790 million.

Net interest income increased 4 percent over a year ago, as loan and deposit growth was partially offset by the impact of the money market savings pricing initiative. Managed loans grew 6 percent, led by consumer loan growth of 10 percent, primarily in bankcard, home equity and residential first mortgages. Average deposits grew 3 percent due to a 19 percent increase in money market savings account balances. This growth was partially offset by the impact of lower balances in time and savings accounts.

Noninterest income was up 8 percent compared to a year ago.

• Service charges grew 11 percent, reflecting higher business volumes.
• Mortgage banking results increased 26 percent, as the company experienced a record quarter in originations driven by consumers taking advantage of falling interest rates.
• Card income grew 8 percent, reflecting an increase in purchase volumes as well as in active debit cards.
• Middle-market investment banking income grew 17 percent, a result of the company's ongoing strategy to grow existing commercial customer relationships by leveraging the company's expertise in the equity and debt markets.

Global Corporate and Investment Banking

Global Corporate and Investment Banking (GCIB) earned $450 million, 7 percent below last year's results. Revenue increased 13 percent to $2.36 billion but was offset by increased credit costs and higher expenses. Return on equity was 15.1 percent for the quarter. SVA increased $10 million to $131 million.

Total trading-related revenue in GCIB was $838 million, up 14 percent, led by stronger contributions from fixed-income and interest rate products. Investment banking income increased 22 percent to $455 million over last year. These results were driven by strong fixed-income originations and syndications. The demand for equity products and merger and acquisition services remained weak.

Bank of America Securities continued to increase its lead-managed market share in fixed-income high-grade and high-yield underwriting during the most active quarter in the history of the U.S. corporate bond market. The company also remained the most active lead arranger of syndicated credit facilities.

Asset Management

Asset Management earnings were down 27 percent to $116 million from a year ago. Revenue increased 5 percent, offset by increased credit costs and the company's continued investment in this business. Provision expense increased due to one large charge-off. Return on equity was 22.9 percent and SVA declined by $54 million.

Assets under management grew $28 billion over last year to $290 billion, up 11 percent despite the impact of the market. This increase was driven by the growth in the Nations Funds family of mutual funds and the addition of Marsico Funds, which the company acquired in the first quarter.

Equity Investments

Equity Investments earned $18 million, down from $36 million a year earlier. Equity investment gains increased to $134 million, with $99 million in Principal Investing and $35 million in the strategic investments portfolio.

One of the world's leading financial services companies, Bank of America is committed to making banking work for customers like it never has before. Through innovative technologies and the ingenuity of its people, Bank of America provides individuals, small businesses and commercial, corporate and institutional clients across the United States and around the world new and better ways to manage their financial lives.

Bank of America stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York, Pacific and London stock exchanges. The company's Web site is www.bankofamerica.com. News, speeches and other corporate information may be found at www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom.

Additional financial tables available at www.bankofamerica.com/investor.

NOTE: James H. Hance Jr., vice chairman and chief financial officer, will discuss second quarter results in a conference call at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The call can be accessed via a Webcast available on the Bank of America Web site at http://www.bankofamerica.com/investor.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the financial conditions and results of operations of Bank of America, including, without limitation, statements relating to the earnings outlook of the company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) projected business increases following process changes and other investments are lower than expected; (2) competitive pressure among financial services companies increases significantly; (3) costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquisitions are greater than expected; (4) general economic conditions, internationally, nationally or in the states in which the company does business, including the impact of the energy crisis, are less favorable than expected; (5) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins and affect funding sources; (6) changes in market rates and prices may adversely affect the value of financial products; (7) legislation or regulatory requirements or changes adversely affect the businesses in which the company is engaged; and (8) decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of the company. For further information, please refer to Bank of America's reports filed with the SEC.

    Bank of America

                                  Three months                Six months
                                  Ended June 30             Ended June 30
    Financial Summary           2001        2000         2001         2000
    (In millions, except
     per share data;
     shares in thousands)

    Net Income             $   2,023    $   2,063    $   3,893    $   4,303
     Earnings per
      common share              1.26         1.25         2.42         2.59
     Diluted earnings
      per common share          1.24         1.23         2.39         2.56

    Cash basis earnings(A)     2,246        2,281        4,339        4,738
     Cash basis earnings per
      common share              1.40         1.38         2.70         2.85
     Cash basis diluted
      earnings per common
      share                     1.38         1.36         2.66         2.82
    Dividends per common
     share                      0.56         0.50         1.12         1.00
    Closing market price
     per common share          60.03        43.00        60.03        43.00
    Average common shares
     issued and
     outstanding           1,601,537    1,653,495    1,605,193    1,661,403
    Average diluted common
     shares issued and
     outstanding           1,632,964    1,676,089    1,631,892    1,681,630

    Summary Income Statement
    (Taxable-equivalent basis in millions)

    Net interest income    $   5,117    $   4,695    $   9,838    $   9,271
    Noninterest income         3,741        3,514        7,521        7,579
    Total revenue              8,858        8,209       17,359       16,850
    Provision for credit
     losses                     (800)        (470)      (1,635)        (890)
    Gains/(losses) on
     sales of securities          (7)           6          (15)          12
    Other noninterest
     expense                  (4,821)      (4,413)      (9,475)      (9,036)
    Income before income
     taxes                     3,230        3,332        6,234        6,936
    Income taxes -
     including taxable-
     equivalent basis
     adjustment                1,207        1,269        2,341        2,633
    Net income             $   2,023    $   2,063    $   3,893    $   4,303

    Summary Balance Sheet
    (Average balances in billions)

    Loans and leases       $ 383.500    $ 391.404    $ 385.683    $ 383.994
    Managed loans and
     leases(B)               403.836      395.640      406.531      392.933
    Securities                55.719       85.460       55.472       86.835
    Earning assets           567.628      582.490      564.544      572.830
    Total assets             655.557      672.588      652.147      661.804
    Deposits                 363.348      353.426      359.504      349.400
    Shareholders' equity      48.709       47.112       48.290       46.571
    Common shareholders'
     equity                   48.640       47.037       48.219       46.495

    Performance Indices
    (Dollars in millions)

    Return on average
     common shareholders'
     equity                    16.67 %      17.63 %      16.27  %     18.60 %
    Cash basis return on
     average equity            18.52        19.49        18.14        20.49
    Return on average
     assets                     1.24         1.23         1.20         1.31
    Cash basis return on
     average assets             1.37         1.36         1.34         1.44
    Net interest yield          3.61         3.23         3.50         3.25
    Efficiency ratio           54.44        53.77        54.58        53.63
    Cash basis efficiency
     ratio                     51.92        51.12        52.01        51.04
    Shareholder value
     added                  $    791     $    878    $   1,470    $   1,964
    Net charge-offs              787          470        1,560          890
      % of average loans
       and leases               0.82 %       0.48 %       0.82  %      0.47 %
    Managed bankcard net
     charge-offs as a % of
     average managed
     bankcard receivables       4.94         4.84         4.66         5.13

    (A) Cash basis calculations exclude goodwill and other intangible
    amortization expense.
    (B) Prior periods have been restated for comparability (e.g.,
    acquisitions, divestitures, sales and securitizations).


    Bank of America


    Balance Sheet Highlights                              June 30
    (In billions, except per share data)          2001              2000


    Loans and leases                         $   380.425       $   400.817
    Securities                                    54.577            80.957
    Earning assets                               538.926           587.985
    Total assets                                 625.525           679.538
    Deposits                                     363.486           356.664
    Shareholders' equity                          49.302            45.861
    Common shareholders' equity                   49.234            45.786
      Per share                                    30.75             27.82

    Total equity to assets ratio (period end)       7.88 %            6.75 %

    Risk-based capital ratios:
      Tier 1                                        7.90              7.40
      Total                                        12.09             11.03

    Leverage ratio                                  6.50              6.11

    Period-end common shares issued and
     outstanding (in thousands)                1,601,126         1,645,701

    Allowance for credit losses              $     6.911       $     6.815
    Allowance for credit losses as a % of
     loans and leases                               1.82 %            1.70 %
    Allowance for credit losses as a % of
     nonperforming loans                          118.16            184.64
    Nonperforming loans                           $5.849            $3.691
    Nonperforming assets                           6.195             3.886
    Nonperforming assets as a % of:
      Total assets                                   .99 %             .57 %
      Loans, leases and foreclosed properties       1.63               .97

    Other Data

    Full-time equivalent employees               144,287           150,854
    Number of banking centers                      4,275             4,450
    Number of ATM's                               12,883            12,931


    BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS - Three months Ended June 30, 2001
    (Dollars in millions)

                                                     Avg Loans      Return on
                         Total Revenue  Net Income  and Leases        Equity



    Consumer and Commercial
     Banking              $  5,515      $  1,274   $  218,880          23.4 %
    Asset Management Group     599           116       23,758          22.9
    Global Corporate and Investment
    Banking                  2,362           450       85,541          15.1
    Equity Investments          77            18          491           3.1
    Corporate Other            305           165       54,830           6.3

    n/m = not meaningful

SOURCE: Bank of America Corporation