TriCo Bancshares reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015. For the quarter, net interest income was $41,141,000 against $34,970,000 for the same period prior year. Net income was $11,422,000 against $5,650,000 for the same period prior year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.50 against $0.25 for the same period prior year. The increase in net interest income (FTE) was due primarily to a $236,381,000 (13.5%) increase in the average balance of loans to $2,489,406,000, a $331,355,000 (42.4%) increase in the average balance of investments to $1,112,992,000, and a 14 basis point increase in the average yield on loans from 5.46% during the three months ended December 31, 2014 to 5.60% during the three months ended December 31, 2015. Income before taxes was $18,810,000 against $9,580,000 a year ago.

Book value per common share as at December 31, 2015 was $19.85 against $18.42 per share a year ago. Return on average total assets was 1.11% against 0.59% a year ago. Return on average equity was 10.14% against 5.34% a year ago.