BANKING & FINANCE - Dec. 18, 1992

Nation’s S&Ls; Post Record Profits: The nation’s slimmer and healthier savings and loan industry earned a record $1.27 billion in the third quarter, reflecting fewer loan problems and favorable interest rates, the Office of Thrift Supervision said. A year earlier the nation’s thrifts posted $188 million in earnings. It was the seventh consecutive quarter of profits for the surviving 1,954 thrifts in the private sector. But the data excludes the 81 insolvent thrifts still operating under government control.