Wells Fargo saw profits surge in the third quarter but revenues were flat and loans fell (SPENCER PLATT)

New York (AFP) – A solid US economy and rising interest rates boosted the profits of large US banks, according to earnings reports Friday, despite President Donald Trump’s antagonism to rate hikes by the central bank.

The results from JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo came on the heels of a two-day stock market rout, that Trump blamed on the Federal Reserve in his attacks. 

The stock losses were sparked in part by a sudden rise in 10-year US Treasury bond yields that raised fears that higher interest rates would dent economic growth.

But the trio of bank results helped Wall Street stage a rally Friday to win back some of the losses over the last 48 hours.

The broad-based S&P 500 was up 1.1 percent to 2,759.07 near 1540 GMT, after declining more than five percent over the prior two days.

“Certainly the US economy is performing very, very well,” said Citigroup Chief Financial Officer John Gerspach.

He said the jump in Treasury yields is not surprising as the US and other major economies exit a period of extraordinarily low interest rates after the 2008 financial crisis.

“All you’re seeing now is the market trying to find the right level for the 10-year rate,” Gerspach said. 

JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon also offered an upbeat assessment.

“The economy is still very strong … despite these overseas geopolitical issues bursting all over the place,” he told reporters.

And the Fed’s decisions to increase interest rates were welcome when they are in response to strong growth, as is currently the case, he said.

But Dimon expressed concern about an ongoing trade fight between the US and China, which he listed among a series of “increasing economic and geopolitical uncertainties” that could dent the economy.

Other worries include Brexit, the unwinding the massive central bank bond-buying programs, and geopolitical concerns from Italy and Saudi Arabia.

– Profits jump –

JPMorgan, the biggest US bank by assets, reported third-quarter profit of $8.4 billion, 24.5 percent jump from the year-ago period. Revenues increased 5.2 percent to $27.8 billion.

Citigroup reported an 11.8 percent rise in profits to $4.6 billion, even as revenues dipped 0.2 percent to $18.4 billion.

Wells Fargo reported third-quarter profit of $6.0 billion, a gain of 32.2 percent from the year-ago period. But revenues inched up to $21.9 billion from $21.8 billion in the year-ago period.

Banks typically see higher profits when interest rates go up  because they are able to charge more for loans. While this benefit can be blunted somewhat because of higher payouts for deposits, analysts view the positives of higher rates as offsetting the negatives.

All three banks reported increases in net interest income, and JPMorgan and Citigroup scored gains in overall loans compared with the year-ago period. 

Wells Fargo’s total loans fell compared with the year-ago period, although commercial loans slightly higher. 

Unlike the other two banks, deposits also fell at Wells Fargo, suggesting it has not completely shaken the effects of a fake accounts scandal in 2016. 

Wells Fargo has revamped its employee incentive systems and replaced executives following the scandal that surfaced in 2016. 

Chief Financial Officer John Shrewsberry pointed to some positive business trends, including growth in primary consumer checking customers and increased debt and credit card usage.

Shares of JPMorgan slipped 0.6 percent to $107.56 in late-morning trading. Citigroup rose 1.4 percent to $69.42, while Wells Fargo climbed 1.3 percent to $52.10.

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