NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBTB) reported earnings of $0.56 per share in the second quarter, up 138% from the first quarter of 2020. The earnings increase was attributable to loan growth and lower provision expense. Earnings will likely continue to increase in the year ahead because of continued decline in the provision expense. Moreover, the accelerated booking of fees from the Paycheck Protection Program will boost earnings in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, net interest margin compression will limit earnings growth. Overall, I’m expecting earnings to increase by 59% in the second half of