For the fourth quarter net income decreased to $18.7 million, or $.27 per diluted share, from $21.4 million, or $.41 per diluted share for the same quarter in 2006.
William Reuter, chairman, president and CEO of Susquehanna Bancshares, said: A highlight of our fourth quarter was the successful completion of the acquisition of Community Banks and the addition of its customers, employees and shareholders to our company.
We were able to complete the operational integration during merger weekend in mid-November, which we expect to yield greater efficiencies going forward. We already saw an improvement in our efficiency ratio in fourth-quarter 2007.