BANKING/FINANCE

Gloomy Banking Prediction: Gerry Findley had been predicting that profits for the state’s banking industry would fall by 25% in 1991.

Now the Brea-based banking consultant--the dean of community bank consultants--expects the profit picture to be worse, mainly because of unexpectedly poor financial results at the major banks.

Community banks, including Orange County’s 33 banks, should fare a little better, he said, with profits dropping about 15% below those of the previous year. Final results aren’t expected to be compiled until some time in March.

Meantime, the outlook for this year isn’t encouraging. He already has termed it a year for the doldrums in community banking with little or no growth in assets or profits.