Cooperative Bank posts flat annual earnings as shrinking margins offset lending growth

Cooperative Bank posts flat annual earnings as shrinking margins offset lending growth
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth May 29 (BusinessDesk) - The Cooperative Bank, which distributes rebates to its customer-shareholders, posted flat annual earnings as shrinking margins offset lending growth from an expanding customer base, and as impairment charges on bad debts rose.  Net profit was little changed at $10.3 million in the 12 months ended March 31, with an unchanged $2.1 million rebate, the Wellington-based bank said in a statement. The bank's mortgage lending grew 17 percent in the year, driving most of the gain in its loan book to $2.1 bill...