TD Bank Financial Group reported $411 million in third quarter net income, down from $565 million in the same period last year.

Diluted earnings per share were 58¢, compared with 86¢ last year. Nevertheless, the bank also raised its dividend 2¢ to 42¢ per share, payable on and after Oct. 31 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Sept. 15.

The diluted EPS figure includes: an increase to the contingent litigation reserve relating to Enron of US$300 million resulting in an after-tax charge of $238 million (33¢ per share); the impact of a new hedging relationships accounting guideline, resulting in a charge of $12 million after-tax (2¢ per share); two charges in connection with the previously announced decision to reposition the bank’s global structured products businesses (6¢); a restructuring charge of $10 million after-tax; and, a loss of $30 million after-tax on exiting a portfolio within the global structured products businesses.

“TD delivered strong operating results in the third quarter,” says TD president and chief executive officer Ed Clark. “The board’s decision to raise the quarterly dividend is a reflection of their confidence in our ongoing earnings strength.” Clark also notes that TD’s Tier 1 capital position remained strong at 10.0% for the quarter based on the ongoing strength of earnings.

TD Canada Trust’s earnings before amortization of intangibles were up 17% compared with the third quarter last year. Strong volume in real estate secured lending, combined with strong volume and account growth in Business Banking, and revenue growth in insurance, drove earnings improvement this quarter.

The bank says its shift towards a greater proportion of earnings from the advice-based businesses continued in the third quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada expects to meet its goal of adding more than 125 investment advisors and financial planners by year-end. “The wealth management segment posted strong earnings results, up 30% year-over-year, despite relatively soft capital markets,” says Clark. “We believe the continued move to a more diversified wealth offering in Canada and the potential scale of combining TD Waterhouse U.S.A. with Ameritrade will provide further earnings growth.”

Earnings within wholesale banking were positively impacted by solid domestic franchise results and securities gains despite softer capital markets. “Notwithstanding the restructuring charges, TD Securities continues to execute on the strategy to reposition its business and grow domestic market share. Wholesale banking is still on track to meet its year-end return on invested capital target of between 15 and 22%,” says Clark.

This quarter marks the first one with a full three months of TD Banknorth earnings being consolidated into TD’s earnings. TD Banknorth saw good loan growth, strong core other income growth and solid asset quality. Average loans and leases were up 15% over the same quarter last year. “We’re very pleased with TD Banknorth’s performance and believe they are well positioned to execute on their growth strategies with the pending acquisition of Hudson United,” says Clark.

The bank realized a gain of $23 million after-tax (3¢ per share) related to specific non-core portfolio loan loss recoveries from prior year sectoral provisions and a tax benefit of $30 million (4¢ per share) as a result of a higher tax rate now being applied on prior year sectoral provisions.

“This was a solid quarter that demonstrated the earnings power of TD,” says Clark. “Our earnings diversification through strategic acquisitions has positioned us well. We remain focused on our core business strategies and driving long-term shareholder value.”