BUSINESS MEMO: NATIONSBANK EARNINGS

NationsBank increased net income and shareholder dividends by 30 percent in 1997, due to its growth in revenue, core expense management and the benefit from acquisitions.

Net income for the year was $3.08 billion, or $4.27 per common share, compared to net income of $2.4 billion or $4 per common share in 1996.

Results included the benefit of several acquisitions, completed in 1996 and 1997, primarily the acquisition of Boatmen's Bancshares In., on Jan. 7, 1997, and Montgomery Securities Inc. on Oct. 1.

Net income for the final quarter of the year earned $818 million, an increase of 29 percent from the $682 million during the fourth quarter of 1996. Earnings per common share was up 6 percent, to $1.15, from $1.09 a year ago.

NationsBank Corp., headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is now a bank holding company with banking operations in 17 states, following the recent acquisition of Barnett Banks Inc., in Florida, total assets of more than $310 billion.