First Citizens Bancshares Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. For the quarter, the company's interest income was $241,861,000 compared to $232,122,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $230,719,000 compared to $217,246,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses was $223,673,000 compared to $208,941,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $66,922,000 compared to $87,436,000 a year ago. Net income was $42,748,000 compared to $62,896,000 a year ago. Net income per share was $3.56 compared to $5.24 a year ago. Annualized return on average assets was 0.53% compared to 0.82% a year ago. Annualized return on average equity was 5.92% compared to 9.20% a year ago. Book value per share was $239.14 compared to $223.77 a year ago.

For the year, the company's interest income was $969,209,000 compared to $760,448,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $924,905,000 compared to $710,097,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses was $904,241,000 compared to $709,457,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $332,414,000 compared to $203,594,000 a year ago. Net income was $210,386,000 compared to $138,562,000 a year ago. When comparing net income for the year ended December 31, 2015, to the prior year, the increases were primarily driven by the impacts of the October 1, 2014, First Citizens Bancorporation Inc. merger and the $42.9 million gain on the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Capitol City Bank & Trust (CCBT) of Atlanta, Ga., which occurred February 13, 2015. Net income per share was $17.52 compared to $13.56 a year ago. Annualized return on average assets was 0.68% compared to 0.57% a year ago. Annualized return on average equity was 7.52% compared to 6.14% a year ago.

The company also announced total net charge-offs of $6,293,000 for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $4,744,000 a year ago.