地銀１００行、純利益３．９％減　与信費用１割増止まり―４～１２月期

　地方銀行１００行（単体）の２０２０年４～１２月期決算が１６日までに出そろった。新型コロナウイルス感染拡大を背景に、純利益総額は前年同期比３．９％減少した。取引先の貸し倒れに備えた与信関係費用は１割増止まり。政府の資金繰り支援が奏功した格好だが、コロナ禍の長期化により業績の下押し圧力は強まっている。
　２１年１月に第四銀行と北越銀行が合併し第四北越銀行が発足したことを踏まえ、１月時点の１００行をベースに集計した。
　このうち赤字は東日本銀行、東京スター銀行、きらやか銀行、福島銀行の４行。減益は第四北越銀を含む４４行で、全体の半数近くが減益や赤字となった。（2021/02/16-17:21）

Combined net profits at 100 regional banks in Japan dropped 3.9 pct year on year to 609.4 billion yen in April-December last year amid the prolonged coronavirus crisis, according to their earnings reports released by Tuesday.
   Their combined credit costs in the first three quarters of fiscal 2020 rose only about 10 pct, marking a lower-than-expected increase, as the government's financial support successfully capped the number of corporate bankruptcies.
   But four of the 100 banks--Higashi-Nippon Bank, Tokyo Star Bank, Kirayaka Bank and Fukushima Bank --incurred net losses. Forty-four banks, including Daishi Hokuetsu Bank, which was launched in January through the merger of two banks, suffered profit falls.
   Combined net profits at 99 banks that have disclosed their earnings projections for the full year to March already reached 95 pct of the estimated level. Still, regional banks' earnings are facing stronger downside pressure due to the prolonged viral woes.
   Industry officials are concerned that many banks may have to increase credit costs in January-March because the fresh wave of infections since last autumn and the ongoing second state of emergency over the epidemic will likely deal an additional blow to businesses in the country.