UPDATE: Regions Financial Q4 Profit Misses Estimates

Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE: RF) reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.The Birmingham, Alabama-based bank posted quarterly net income of $211 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to $$227 million, or $$0.16 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Earnings from continuing operations slipped to $0.14 per share from $0.17 per share.Its revenue dropped to $1.27 billion from $1.36 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $0.21 per share on revenue of $1.3 billion.Total loan balances totaled $77 billion at the end of the quarter, a 1% gain versus the previous quarter. At the end of the quarter, the business lending portfolio totaled $48 billion, a 1% increase. At the end of the quarter, the consumer lending portfolio totaled $29 billion, a 1% rise versus the prior quarter.Non-performing loans (excluding loans held for sale) shrank 1% from the previous quarter to $829 million.For the year, Regions Financial's profit climbed 6% to $1.16 billion, while revenue slipped 10% to $5.1 billion.“The fourth quarter rounded out a solid year in which we grew loans, increased deposit balances, and improved asset quality and capital ratios,” said Grayson Hall, chairman, president and CEO. “As we execute our strategy to deepen relationships with customers and improve efficiencies across our business, we are well-positioned for continued progress in 2015.”Regions Financial shares rose 0.89% to close at $9.07on Friday.