FirstMerit said it earned $22.8 million, or 27 cents per share, compared to $29.8 million, or 36 cents per share a year ago.
Net income was down 23.5 percent from a year ago, while earnings per share were down 25 percent from a year ago. Third quarter 2008 results were restated to take into account stock dividends, FirstMerit reported.
Net interest income -- earnings from deposits -- fell to $89.1 million from $92.7 million a year ago.
FirstMerit continued to deliver a strong financial performance in a very challenging environment, said Paul Greig, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
FirstMerit had total assets of $10.8 billion at the end of the third quarter, up $76.5 million from a year ago. Total deposits were $7.3 billion, down $159.3 million, or 2.1 percent, from Sept. 30, 2008.
FirstMerit said it had the equivalent of 2,522 full-time employees at the end of September, compared to 2,614 a year ago.
Shares of FirstMerit rose 43 cents to $19.85 as of 12:05 p.m. Shares are up 1.5 percent, including reinvested dividends, since Jan. 1 and are up 24.1 percent from a year ago.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com.
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