“Wachovia Corp., one of the nation’s biggest banks, on Monday said its profit swelled 32 percent in the third quarter, helped by growth in consumer banking and its other segments,” reports The Associated Press.

“Net income rose to $1.67 billion, or $1.06 per share, in the three months ended Sept. 30 from $1.26 billion, or 96 cents, a year earlier. Setting aside merger-related charges, earnings amounted to $1.09 per share.

“The profit excluding those charges topped the average estimate of $1.07 per share from analysts polled by Thomson Financial.”