The first chart, called Large Bank Return on Assets (ROA) Slipped in 2001 Owing to Higher Provisions and Lower Noninterest Income, shows the pretax return on assets, in percent, for commercial banks larger than $1 billion in total assets. The five-year average was 0.64 percent in 1986-1990; 1.44 percent in 1991-1995; and 1.89 percent in 1996-2000. The return was 1.84 percent in 2000 and 1.76 percent in 2001.
The second chart, called Small Bank Profit Margins Narrowed in 2001 Owing to Smaller Net Interest Margins, shows the pretax return on assets, in percent, for commercial banks smaller than $1 billion in total assets. The five-year average was 0.95 percent in 1986-1990; 1.53 percent in 1991-1995; and 1.80 percent in 1996-2000. The return was 1.71 percent in 2000 and 1.58 percent in 2001.