ORANGE COUNTY

CommerceBancorp Earnings Down: The Newport Beach parent company of CommerceBank reported that net income for the third quarter dropped to $330,000, or 15 cents per share, from $950,000, or 44 cents per share, for the like period in 1990. Year-to-date net earnings were down 56%, to $1.2 million from $2.7 million. Total assets declined 4%, to $303 million from $317 million. The company said its earnings continue to be affected by weak economic conditions, which have resulted in lower net interest margins, as well as a significant decrease in the amount of loans outstanding.