BUSINESS MEMO: RECORD NET EARNINGS

Union Planters Corp. reported record net earnings for the third quarter, of $62.3 million, up from the $26.6 million during the same period of 1996. Fully diluted earnings per common share for the quarter were 87 cents, up from the 68 cents a share during the same quarter a year ago.

Prior year results reflect the pooling of interests accounting for five mergers.

Net earnings for the nine months, ending Sept. 30 were a record $181.5 million, compared to net earnings of $122.4 million for the same period in 1996. Fully diluted earnings per common share for the three quarters were $2.55, an increase of 45 percent from $1.76 during the same period a year ago.

Union Planters Corp. ended the quarter with total assets of $14.9 billion, total loans of $10.1 billion, and total deposits of $11.0 billion.

Union Planters, headquartered at Memphis, is a multi-state bank holding company with 37 banking subsidiaries and 433 banking facilities in seven states, including Cape Girardeau.