Bank of Nova Scotia today reported a sligth drop in third quarter net income due in part to higher provisions for credit losses and lower capital markets revenues.

Net income for the quarter July 31 was $1.01 billion, down from $1.03 billion in the same period last year.

Basic earnings per share were 99¢ compared to $1.03 in the same period a year ago.

Total revenue (on a taxable equivalent basis) was $3,477 million during the quarter, up $175 million or 5% from the same period last year.

Return on equity was 21.0%, compared to 21.7% last year.

The provision for credit losses was $159 million during the third quarter, up $67 million from the same period last year.

Scotiabank said the increase “was due to higher provisions in the retail portfolios in international banking, as well as provision increases in Scotia Capital and domestic banking.”

“Total revenue grew 5% from the same period last year, as assets increased a strong $54 billion or 13%, with contributions from all three growth platforms — domestic banking, international banking and Scotia Capital. These gains were offset by higher provisions for credit losses in some of our retail portfolios, lower capital markets revenues compared to record levels for the same period last year and higher expenses to support growth initiatives,” said Rick Waugh, president and CEO, in a release.

“Domestic banking reported a record quarter, with total revenue increasing by 9% compared to a year ago,” Waugh said.

Domestic banking’s net income was $455 million, up a substantial $64 million or 16% from the third quarter last year.

International banking’s net income in the third quarter was $321 million, an increase of $51 million or 19% from last year, notwithstanding the $17 million negative impact of foreign currency translation.

Scotia Capital’s net income was $291 million during the quarter, an increase of $15 million or 5%
from the same period last year. The increase compared to the prior year reflected higher net interest income, mainly from growth in corporate loans and wider lending margins. “This was somewhat offset by lower trading revenues, as the prior year included a record level of derivatives revenues.” Scotiabank said.