(Oct 15): Bank of America reported a drop in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, as its income from customer interest payments shrank.

Banks have been paying out higher interest rates amid intense competition for deposits to prevent customers from fleeing to lucrative alternatives such as money market funds.

BofA's net interest income (NII) — the difference between what a bank earns on loans and pays out on deposits — fell 3% to US$14 billion (RM60.4 billion) in the third quarter from a year earlier. But it climbed 2% from the second quarter.

CEO Brian Moynihan called the earnings "solid," citing growth in investment banking, asset management fees, and sales and trading revenue.

"We also continue to benefit from our investments in the business," Moynihan said in a statement.

The earnings contrast with rival JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, whose results last week surpassed expectations.

Shares of the bank rose 1.4% in pre-market trading.

BofA's provision for credit losses increased to US$1.5 billion in the quarter from US$1.2 billion a year earlier.

Chief financial officer Alastair Borthwick said that the asset quality was solid.

Higher interest rates are pressuring borrowers and increasing risks of defaults, prompting banks to build bigger provisions for cover for such loan losses.

Meanwhile, Wall Street has been bolstered by a rebound in activity in recent months as improving confidence spurred clients to issue debt and equity.

A revival in mergers and acquisitions has also boosted advisory fees, while the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut last month could spur even more dealmaking.

BofA's investment banking fees jumped 18% to US$1.4 billion, compared with a year earlier.

Underwriting income jumped 39.7% in the quarter, while syndication fees rose 31%.

Sales and trading revenue jumped 12% to US$4.9 billion, the 10th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth, as equities jumped 18% while fixed income, currencies and commodities rose 8%.

Equities trading was bolstered by buoyant markets. Stocks rallied in the third quarter as investors speculated that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates and spur economic activity.

BofA's wealth and investment management revenue climbed 8% to US$5.8 billion and saw client balances jump 18% to US$4.2 trillion, thanks to rising market valuations and client flows.

Last month, Moynihan said he expected investment banking revenue to be broadly steady.

The second-largest US bank's net income fell to US$6.9 billion, or 81 cents per share, it said on Tuesday. That was down from US$7.8 billion, or 90 cents per share, a year earlier.

Uploaded by Magessan Varatharaja