Riding the crest of strengthened real estate...

Riding the crest of strengthened real estate operations, a 22% increase in assets and the highest loan volume in history, Great American First Savings Bank earned a record $45.7 million for the year ended Dec. 31. Assets increased to $8.2 billion, deposits rose 29% to $5.9 billion and new loans rose 5.9% to $3.1 billion. About 73% of the new loans featured adjustable rates, which officials said would help manage “future interest-rate risk.”