Many local banks turned in strong performances in the first three months of 2010, especially compared to just a year earlier, when the nation was still firmly in the grips of the Great Recession and banks were trying to right their ships after a disastrous end to 2008.

Several banks saw their profits more than double year-over-year, and at least one, Somerville’s Central Bancorp, swung from a net loss for the period ended March 31, 2009 to a profit this year.

The news was not all rosy, however. The commercial real estate loan market continues to show signs of distress, and many institutions reported increased provisions for loan losses and/or high numbers of non-performing and non-accruing loans.

See the chart above for a sampling of how some local institutions fared through March 31 of this year. For updates and breaking news as earnings season continues, visit bankerandtradesman.com.