Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

EARNINGS

Metro Bancorp on Friday reported sharply higher net profits for the fourth quarter and full year.

Fourth quarter net profits were $3.5 million (24 cents a share), up 39 percent from $2.5 million (18 cents a share) in 2011's fourth quarter.

Full year net profits were $10.9 million (77 cents a share), up from $289,000 (2 cents a share) in 2011.

Harrisburg-based Metro was helped by smaller provisions for loan losses in both the fourth quarter and year.

Metro posted total assets of $2.6 billion at Dec. 31.