New York Community Bank headquarters in Westbury, Oct. 29, 2015.

New York Community Bank headquarters in Westbury, Oct. 29, 2015. Credit: Audrey C. Tiernan

New York Community Bancorp on Wednesday said loan originations helped lift its fourth quarter net income by 20 percent from a year ago, to $136.5 million.

“We originated $3.1 billion of loans held for investment during the quarter, up 34 percent from the previous quarter and 52 percent from the year-ago quarter,” Joseph R. Ficalora, president and chief executive at Westbury-based New York Community Bancorp, said in a call with analysts.

Total loans held for investment increased to $38.4 billion, up $882 million from the prior quarter and $1 billion from year-end 2016.

“We continue to lend prudently and conservatively as reflected again by our asset quality metrics, which continue to be solid,” Ficalora said in a statement.

NYCB is the largest bank based on Long Island in terms of assets. It reported $49.1 billion in assets at the end of the fourth quarter, up less than 1 percent from the same period a year ago.

The bank’s shares closed Wednesday at $14.16, up less than 2 percent. The shares were $14.23 a year ago, adjusted for splits and dividends.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about winning a 3rd state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 17: Olympics a possibility for Long Beach wrestler? On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about pursuing a third state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about winning a 3rd state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 17: Olympics a possibility for Long Beach wrestler? On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks with Long Beach wrestler Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez about pursuing a third state title and possibly competing in the Olympics in 2028, plus Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.

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