NET CHARGE-OFFS ON Q4 CARD LOANS INCREASE 33% FROM LAST YEAR.

Gross charge-offs on credit card loans at all institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. exceeded $5.05 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, rising 38% from $3.66 billion in the same quarter of 2006, according to FDIC's "Quarterly Banking Report" and a CardLine analysis of the data. Net charge-offs-gross charge-offs less recoveries-totaled $4.12 billion in the quarter, up 33% from less than $3.1 billion a year earlier. Card loans outstanding at the end of 2007 totaled $422.5 billion, increasing 10% from $385 billion at the end of 2006, the FDIC reports. The …