Bank of America (BAC) lost $7.3 billion in the third quarter, or $0.77 per diluted share, after a $10.3 billion “goodwill impairment charge” as required under the Dodd-Frank Act. BofA said the writedown is related to its Global Card Services segment and results from the limits placed on debit interchange fees under the reform passed in July. Without this fee, BofA earned a net income of $3.1 billion in the third quarter, after a net loss of $1 billion in the third quarter of 2009 and a $3.1 billion gain in the second quarter of 2010. BofA reported a net loss of $344 million in its Home Loans and Insurance segment, up from a $1.6 billion loss last year and a $1.5 billion loss in the second quarter. Revenue increased in its mortgage banking department by 10%, mostly due to improvements in its mortgage servicing rights. The bank’s provision for credit losses dropped $1.6 billion in the quarter, citing improving portfolio trends. Its total amount of nonperforming loans, leases and foreclosed properties for BofA reached $34.5 billion, up 2.1% from a year ago but down 2.9% from the previous quarter. BofA extend $173 billion in credit in the third quarter, including $72 billion in first mortgages. Of that, 36% were for home purchases and 64% was for refinances. Its Tier 1 Capital Ratio increased to 15.65%, up nearly one percentage point from the previous quarter but down from 16.69% a year ago. Its Tier 1 Common Ratio increased to 8.45% from 8% in the second quarter and 7.25% a year ago. Write to Jon Prior.

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