EXHIBIT 12(A) BANKBOSTON CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Excluding Interest on Deposits) The Corporation's ratios of earnings to fixed charges (excluding interest on deposits) for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the five years ended December 31, 1996 were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, Years Ended December 31, ------------------ --------------------------------------------- (Dollars in millions) 1997 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- Net income $ 207 $ 155 $ 650 $ 678 $ 542 $ 367 $ 338 Extraordinary items, net of tax 7 (73) Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net of tax (24) Income tax expense 139 112 483 529 422 262 190 ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- Pretax earnings 346 267 1,133 1,207 971 605 455 ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- Fixed charges: Portion of rental expense (net of sublease rental income) which approximates the interest factor 10 10 40 38 35 36 37 Interest on borrowed funds 255 254 873 1,079 1,038 384 352 ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- Total fixed charges 265 264 913 1,117 1,073 420 389 ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- Earnings (for ratio calculation) $ 611 $ 531 $ 2,046 $ 2,324 $ 2,044 $ 1,025 $ 844 ==== ==== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==== Total fixed charges $ 265 $ 264 $ 913 $ 1,117 $ 1,073 $ 420 $ 389 ==== ==== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.31 2.01 2.24 2.08 1.90 2.44 2.17 ==== ==== ===== ===== ===== ===== ==== For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges "earnings" represent income before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles plus applicable income taxes and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" include gross interest expense (excluding interest on deposits) and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense, net of income from subleases.