Analysts fret over sluggish earnings at 3 big banks

KeyCorp, Bankers Trust New York Corp., and Bank of Boston Corp., all reported sluggish third quarter 1996 financial results. KeyCorp posted profits of $207 million, a 1% decline from third quarter 1996. Bankers Trust New York Corp. posted profits of $176 million, a 14% increase over the same period. Bank of Boston Corp posted profits of $80 million, a 54% decline which was blamed on a $117 million charge related to the acquisition of BayBanks Inc.
Three of the nation's largest banks reported lackluster third-quarter earnings Thursday, reinforcing analysts' concerns that sluggish revenue growth, rising costs, and problems in consumer lending could soon take their toll [...]