State Regulator Says Louisiana Banks Mostly Sound

By ALAN SAYRE

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana banks are being spared the problems bedeviling the country's largest institutions and, in many cases, are performing better than their peers in other states, the state's top banking regulator says.

"The best word would be sound," Commissioner of Financial Institutions John Ducrest said in an interview. "Compared to some other parts of the country, our banks are in good shape."

Only 6 percent of Louisiana banks posted an annual loss in 2008, compared to about 24 percent nationwide, Ducrest said. ...