Card Briefs: 2Q Earnings Up 20% At Providian Card Bank

Providian Bancorp reported a 20% increase in pretax earnings for the second quarter, to $55.4 million.

The credit card bank's earnings were up 21% for the first six months of the year, to $106.7 million.

The company, a subsidiary of the insurance holding company Providian Corp., cited "strong growth" in card receivables and home equity loans, partially offset by lower net interest margins and higher net credit losses.

Total managed loan balances at the end of the second quarter were about $5.6 billion. The 12-month increase was $2.2 billion, or 39%. Credit card receivables increased $1.8 billion over the same period.

Net credit losses were running at 5.49% of managed card receivables, up from 5.07% on March 31. The company called the increase "consistent with industry trends and Providian's expectations."

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