The FDIC's latest Quarterly Banking Profile includes a new section focused exclusively on community banks. Previously, detecting quarterly trends in community banking with the reports had been difficult because the actions of the largest banks distorted the results across the board. Although the FDIC counts 6,234 community banks, their trends were muted because they control just 14% of industry assets. Observers say the new section will further the debate over whether smaller banks should get regulatory exemptions. The report found that the community banking industry's overall profit suffered a 7.6% decline from its year-earlier total, although interest income growth, net interest margin and loan growth all outpaced the industry as a whole.