Earnings Rise 20 Percent at First Commerce

First Commerce Bancorp reported net income for the fourth quarter rose 20 percent to $999,000 or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $831,000 for the year ago period. Assets as of Dec. 31 rose to $268.4 million, up 16 percent from the 2005 year. Encino-based First Commerce said loans were up 24 percent for the year to $200 million and deposits rose to $234.8 million over the prior year.