HUNTINGTON

Chase cited tax reform and an improving economy for the moves.

Huntington already has a corporate minimum wage of $15 per hour and has been adding benefits to workers in recent years, including more time off to care for family members or for maternity leave. Newer perks at its new operations center in Northland include a health clinic, a cafeteria and workout facilities.

Steinour said he doesn't believe in running the bank based on what the government may or may not do when it comes to taxes.

"We take a long-term view and do the right thing for our colleagues and customers and execute that plan," he said.

Tax reform promises to save money for Huntington over the long term, but Steinour said the industry could end up spending that money competing with each other for customers — by reducing loan rates, cutting fees on products or other steps.

"Longer term, the enactment of tax reform is good for our customers, our region and for Huntington," he said.

Excluding the tax benefit, the bank earned 26 cents per share for the quarter, in line with analyst estimates.

Revenue rose 4 percent to $1.1 billion from the same period in 2016.

Huntington shares closed up a penny at $16.04 Tuesday on the report. Huntington's stock, like that of other banks, has been performing well, with shares at their highest level in about 10 years.

For the full year, the bank said it earned $1.2 billion, a 67 percent increase from 2016. Profit was $1 per share.

Revenue for the year rose 22 percent to $4.4 billion.

The bank said it is continuing to reap the benefits of its 2016 acquisition of Akronbased First Merit that deepened Huntington's Midwest presence while giving the bank new markets in Chicago and Wisconsin. For the first time since the deal was announced, the bank had expenses tied to the deal.