First Alliance Profit Rises 36%

IRVINE — First Alliance Corp. said fourth-quarter profit rose 36% on a 37% gain in revenue.

The consumer finance company said net income for the three months totaled $9 million, or 42 cents a share, up from $6.6 million, or 30 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of 1996. Revenue rose to $27.6 million from $20.1 million. For the year, net income increased to $32.8 million, or $1.49 a share, from $22.6 million, or $1.02 a share, for 1996. Revenue rose 35% to $95.6 million from $70.9 million.

The company completed its initial public offering in the third quarter of 1996.