text: 2001 and $71.9 million in 2000. These increases were primarily due to growth in the volume of earning assets, and 
  for 2002, an improved net interest margin. Average earning assets were $1.748 billion in 2002, as compared to 
  $1.653 billion in 2001 and $1.538 billion in 2000. The 2002 increase in average earning assets is attributable to 
  higher average investment securities we held, which increased $72.3 million, and higher average loans we made, 
  which increased $44.5 million. These increases were partially offset by a $22.4 million decrease in the 2002 
  average of short-term investments, which consist of primarily Federal funds sold. The 2001 increase in average 
  earning assets was due primarily to an increase in average short-term investments, which increased $28.9 million, 
  and higher average loans, which increased $80.0 million. Table 1 allocates the increases in tax-equivalent net 
  interest income for 2002 and 2001 between the amount of increase attributable to volume and rate. 