First of Long Island earnings up 7.5 percent

Glen Head-based First of Long Island Corp. Friday said an increase in interest income helped boost its third-quarter earnings 7.5 percent.

Net income rose to $6.5 million, from $6.1 million the year before. Net interest income increased 9.8 percent to $18.9 million, from $17.2 million. But the parent of the First National Bank of Long Island said that rise was partially offset by $513,000 for salary increases and $405,000 for employee benefit increases.

Earnings per share rose 7 percent to 46 cents. Total assets on Sept. 30, the quarter's end, were $3 billion, compared with $2.6 billion a year earlier.

First of Long Island has 42 branches, including 39 on Long Island, two in Manhattan and one in Howard Beach, Queens.