Two regional bankers with a presence in Baton Rouge posted varying second-quarter results. BancorpSouth posted a second-quarter profit—reversing a year-ago loss—as it was able to sharply reduce its reserve for problem loans. For the April-through-June period, BancorpSouth earned $12.8 million, or 15 cents per share, compared with a loss in 2010’s second quarter of $12.6 million, or 15 cents per share. BancorpSouth, based in Tupelo, Miss., broke into the black by cutting its credit loss provision from $62.4 million a year ago to $32.2 million during the last quarter. Nonperforming loans fell from the first quarter of 2011 by $45.2 million to $379.8 million. Interest revenue rose 0.5% from a year ago, from $109.3 million to $109.9 million. Loans and leases totaled $9.2 billion, down 4.5% from $9.6 million in last year’s second quarter. Non-interest revenue rose to $75.1 million from $57.1 million a year ago. Credit and debit card fees were up 20.7% from a year ago.
Meanwhile, Lafayette-based Home Bank saw its second-quarter profits fall $199,000, or 14% from 2010, to $1.3 million. Earnings per share were 17 cents in the quarter, compared to 19 cents the year before. Net charge-offs topped $227,000 in the quarter, after the bank wrote off a $240,000 commercial loan. That was up from $76,000 last year. Net interest income was $7 million in the quarter, down $535,000 from the year before. Non-interest income was $2.1 million, up $708,000 from 2010.
