The Royal Bank of Canada ($RY@Canada) and National Bank ($NTIOF@Canada) bested analyst estimates for the third quarter after releasing provisions to cover bad loans. Improved earnings pushed these banks forward, demonstrating better than expected growth year over year. Banking performance made up for weak trading departments, leading experts to believe that fee revenue and loan sales can keep these banks healthy in the future. Bank of Montreal ($BMO@Canada) and Bank of Nova Scotia ($BNS@Canada) also beat analyst estimates this week.