Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ: HBAN) reported Q4 EPS of $0.24, $0.02 better than the analyst estimate of $0.22.

"We are very pleased with our strong close to 2016," said Steve Steinour, chairman, president and CEO. "2016 performance demonstrated continued progress toward achieving our long-term financial goals. We delivered positive operating leverage for the fourth consecutive year. We also executed our balance sheet optimization strategy, in which we chose to shrink the balance sheet in order to replenish our capital ratios more quickly. This included the successful completion of a $1.5 billion auto loan securitization within the 2016 fourth quarter, demonstrating strong investor demand for our superior automobile loan production quality."

"This was a historic year for the company as we celebrated the 150th anniversary of our founding and completed our largest-ever acquisition, a transformational transaction," Steinour said. "Integration of FirstMerit continues to go well, and remains on track for branch conversion in mid-February. Our progress within the fourth quarter included the completion of our required divestiture of certain branches and associated relationships."

"Taking care of and looking out for our customers are at the heart of what we do. They are also good for business. We're proud that this strategy and our commitment to delivering superior customer service continue to be recognized. During the fourth quarter, we were recognized as a top Midwest region ranking in the J.D. Power Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study. Huntington also was the recipient of the 2016 Greenwich Excellence Award for Wealth Management and Personal Investment Services, and our commercial, middle market and small business customers recognized us within the Greenwich Best Brand Awards for ease of doing business and as a Best Brand for trust earned," Steinour said. "Huntington also rated among the Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality for the fourth consecutive year within the 2017 Human Rights Campaign Foundation Corporate Equality Index."

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