GE Capital said 2012 financing of projects in telecommunications, media and technology rose nearly 9 percent to $3.7 billion because of increased merger and acquisition activity. The company said it expected to increase financing this year, without giving a target.

The Norwalk, Conn.-based unit of General Electric Co. said it financed 58 deals last year, compared with only 38 deals valued at $2.4 billion in 2011. Peter Foley, senior managing director, said GE Capital also helped customers tap GE’s overall industrial expertise.

Among the largest deals of the year was providing a $140 million credit facility for JAB Wireless, of Englewood, Colo., which provides fixed wireless high-speed Internet and voice-over-Internet-protocol services.  The company first tapped GE Capital in 2010. CFO Jack Koo said the financing enabled the company to more than double its customer base.

Another large deal was $131 million refinancing of Hoak Media Corp. of Dallas, which owns TV stations in 13 smaller markets in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, the Dakotas, Louisiana and Florida.

GE Capital reported fourth-quarter net income rose 9 percent to $1.8 billion, as revenue rose 2 percent to $11.77 billion. Overall, GE, based in Fairfield, Conn., reported fourth-quarter net income rose 9 percent to $4.15 billion, or 38 cents a share, from $3.81 billion, or 35 cents, a year earlier, as revenue rose 4 percent to $39.3 billion.

Shares of GE fell 24 cents to $23.15 in late Monday trading.

To contact the editor, e-mail: