Merrill Merchants Bancshares has announced that its income during 2005 increased to $5.7 million, up 17 percent from the 2004 total of about $4.9 million. Earnings per share increased from $1.40 to $1.66. Merrill Merchants president Edwin Clift said solid loan growth, increasing interest rates and a strong effort by staff members were responsible for the increase. As of December 31, bank assets totaled $417.1 million. During 2005, loans grew by 13 percent and deposits grew by 11 percent.