First Chicago Corp. reported that its first-quarter...

First Chicago Corp. reported that its first-quarter income rose 23% over the corresponding period a year ago.

The bank holding company said it earned $60.7 million, or 71 cents a share, compared to $49.5 million, or 63 cents per share, for the first three months of 1991.

Net interest income totaled $296.2 million, up from $291.5 million a year ago. Non-interest income for the period was $331.4 million, compared to $268.5 million in 1991’s initial quarter.

First Chicago said its earnings were in line with expectations.

The company said its non-performing assets stood at $1.3 billion at the end of the quarter, essentially unchanged from the end of 1991 and down from $1.6 billion at the end of March, 1991.

First Chicago said its foreign exchange trading profits were $14.5 million, down sharply from $29.5 million a year earlier. But trading account profits rose to $16.9 million from $13.5 million.

Other gains came in credit card fees, which rose to $107.7 million from $91.5 million, and fiduciary and investment management fees, which rose to $46.6 million from $40 million.