The release of loan-loss provisions helped boost earnings
But consumers are more optimistic about current conditions than they are about the near future
The bank's profit rose 4% during the final quarter of the year
Out of 18 service sector categories, 14 reported growth in December
Business activity continued to expand in October, even while slower than in September
The result is less than half what the U.S. bank made in last year's third quarter
The consumer price index rose 0.2% last month