Shares of BOK Financial BOKF rallied 5% in response to better-than-expected third-quarter 2021 results. Earnings per share of $2.74 handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.82. The bottom line increased 25% from the prior-year quarter.Results benefited from lower expenses, a rise in the net interest income and provision benefits. However, lower fees and commissions, and a decline in the loan balance were the undermining factors.Net income attributable to shareholders was $188.3 million, up 22.3% year over year.Revenues Rise, Costs & Loans Balance DeclineNet revenues (including net interest revenues and other operating revenues) of $510.1 million improved 1.8% year over year. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $451.4 million.Net interest revenues were $280.2 million, up 3.1% year over year. Net interest margin shrunk 15 basis points (bps) to 2.66%.Total fees and commissions amounted to $190.4 million, down 14.6%. The fall was largely due to lower brokerage and trading revenues, and mortgage banking revenues.Total other operating expenses were $291.3 million, down 1.9%. The fall was mainly due to lower personnel costs, professional fees and services and mortgage banking costs.The efficiency ratio rose to 61.23% from the prior year’s 59.57%. A rise in the efficiency ratio indicates a deterioration in profitability.As of Sep 30, 2021, total loans were $20.3 billion, down 5% sequentially. As of the same date, total deposits amounted to $38.5 billion, up 2.9%.Credit Quality ImproveProvision for expected credit losses was a benefit of $23 million. Non-performing assets were $349 million or 1.71% of outstanding loans and repossessed assets as of Sep 30, 2021, down from $416.7 million or 1.75% recorded in the prior-year period. Net charge-offs were $7.8 million, down year over year from $22.4 million.However, the allowance for loan losses was 1.36% of outstanding loans as of Sep 30, 2021, up 40 bps year over year.Capital & Profitability Ratios ImproveAs of Sep 30, 2021, the common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.26%, up from 12.07% as of Sep 30, 2020.Tier 1 and total capital ratios on Sep 30, 2021, were 12.26% and 13.38%, respectively, compared with 12.07% and 14.05% as of Sep 30, 2020. The leverage ratio was 8.77%, up from 8.39% as of Sep 30, 2020.Return on average equity was 13.78% compared with the year-earlier quarter’s 11.89%. Return on average assets was 1.51%, up from the 1.25% recorded in the year-ago quarter.Share Repurchase UpdateIn the reported quarter, the company repurchased 478,141 shares at an average price of $85 per share.Our ViewBOK Financial’s diverse revenue mix and favorable geographic footprint are likely to keep aiding its financials. Solid deposits balance reflects an efficient organic-growth strategy. However, falling loan balance and margin pressure due to lower rates are concerning. BOK Financial Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise BOK Financial Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | BOK Financial Corporation QuoteBOK Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Performance of Other BanksSynovus Financial SNV reported third-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of $1.20 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07 per share, aided by solid revenues. The bottom line compared favorably with earnings of 89 cents per share recorded in the year-ago quarter.Northern Trust Corporation NTRS has reported third-quarter 2021 earnings per share of $1.80, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.67 on the release of credit reserves. The bottom line increased year over year from $1.32.M&T Bank Corporation MTB reported an earnings surprise of 6.82% in third-quarter 2021. Net operating earnings per share of $3.76 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.52. The bottom line also compares favorably with $3.45 per share reported in the year-ago period. Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. It’s bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made. The only question is “Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?” Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 7 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.Download FREE: How to Profit from Trillions on Spending for Infrastructure >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Synovus Financial Corp. (SNV): Free Stock Analysis Report M&T Bank Corporation (MTB): Free Stock Analysis Report Northern Trust Corporation (NTRS): Free Stock Analysis Report BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research