Exhibit 99.1 ------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NATIONSBANK EARNINGS INCREASED 30% IN SECOND QUARTER 1996 CHARLOTTE, NC, July 15, 1996 -- NationsBank second-quarter earnings of $605 million, or $2.00 per common share, demonstrated the company's momentum in producing consistent, outstanding financial performance. "Our associates continue to be successful in harnessing the power of the NationsBank franchise," said Hugh L. McColl Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. "The focus on serving customers and reaching higher performance goals is paying off with excellent revenue growth. At the same time, the company continues to employ discipline in balance sheet management and in building capital levels to strengthen the foundation for future earnings growth." Earnings Highlights (second quarter 1996 compared to second quarter 1995) - ------------------- * Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) grew 21 percent to $2.5 billion * Efficiency ratio improved nearly 600 basis points to 55.6 percent * Net interest yield rose 43 basis points to 3.62 percent * Return on average common shareholders' equity increased 131 basis points to 18.0 percent * Capital ratios improved, with the equity to assets ratio rising to 7.29 percent from 6.25 percent * Credit reserve levels remained strong as the allowance for credit losses equaled 1.85 percent of net loans, leases and factored accounts receivable The second quarter's earnings of $605 million represented a 30-percent increase from the $467 million earned in the second quarter of 1995. Earnings per common share for the second quarter of 1996 rose 17 percent to $2.00, from $1.71 per common share in the second quarter of 1995. The return on common shareholders' equity rose to 18.0 percent in the second quarter of 1996, compared to 16.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. Operating net income for the first six months of 1996 rose 31 percent to $1.20 billion, or $3.95 per common share. This compared to net income of $910 million, or $3.31 per common share, in the first six months of 1995. Second quarter 1996 results include the impact of several acquisitions and loan securitizations completed primarily in 1996. Net Interest Income - ------------------- In the second quarter of 1996, average loans and leases grew 15 percent over year-earlier levels to $124 billion. This increase was driven by a 25-percent increase in average consumer loans and a 7-percent increase in non-real estate commercial loans. This loan growth, combined with the impact of balance sheet management initiatives, led to an 18-percent increase in net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis to $1.6 billion in the second quarter 1996. The net interest yield improved 43 basis points to 3.62 percent from 3.19 percent in the second quarter 1995. Noninterest Income - ------------------ Noninterest income rose 26 percent to $917 million in the second quarter of 1996, reflecting the diverse fee-generating activities of the company. Higher levels of service fees, including mortgage servicing and investment banking, drove the year-over-year increase. Efficiency - ---------- Revenue growth sharply outpaced expense growth over the past year, improving the efficiency ratio to a record low of 55.6 percent, a 590-basis-point movement from 61.5 percent in the year-ago quarter. Credit Quality - -------------- Total nonperforming assets were $992 million on June 30, 1996, or .80 percent of net loans, leases and factored receivables and other real estate owned. This compared to .99 percent of net levels on June 30, 1995. The allowance for credit losses totaled $2.29 billion at June 30, 1996, equaling 268 percent of nonperforming loans, up from 239 percent at June 30, 1995. In the second quarter of 1996, net charge-offs were $157 million, including an $18-million charge for the bulk sale of $110 million of loans, primarily commercial real estate. Net charge-offs in the second quarter of 1996 equaled .50 percent of average net loans, leases and factored receivables, compared to .31 percent of average levels in the second quarter of 1995. Capital Strength - ---------------- Total shareholders' equity climbed to $14.0 billion on June 30, 1996, up 22 percent from levels one year ago. This represented 7.29 percent of period-end assets, compared to 6.25 percent at June 30, 1995. Book value per common share rose nine percent to $46.18 at the end of the second quarter 1996. NationsBank Corporation is a bank holding company that provides financial products and services nationally and internationally to individuals, businesses, corporations, institutional investors and government agencies. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., NationsBank has a retail banking franchise in nine states and the District of Columbia. As of June 30, 1996, NationsBank had total assets of $192 billion.