MCCALL, ID--(Marketwire - Jan 15, 2013) - Today Idaho First Bank (OTCQB: [ IDFB ]) reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Bank reported record net income of $262,000 for 2012, compared to a loss of $143,000 in 2011. This represents six consecutive quarters of profitability for the Bank and the first full calendar year of profitability.

"The Bank showed improvement in many critical areas including: loan growth, increased net interest margin and strong growth in non-interest income," said Greg Lovell, President and Chief Executive Officer. He further stated, "We are pleased to have reached this milestone but we will continue to focus on improving credit quality, growth of earning assets and expense control."

Compared to the prior year, the Bank achieved a 33% increase in net interest income. This was driven by average loan growth of 19% and an improving net interest margin. Net interest margin improved from 3.02% in 2011 to 3.88% in 2012. Year-to-date mortgage banking income also grew substantially from $875,000 in 2011 to $1,938,000 in 2012. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $118,000, a record for the highest quarterly income in the Bank's history. Net income of $118,000 for the quarter compares with quarterly income of $71,000 in the same quarter of 2011 and $105,000 of quarterly income in the third quarter of 2012.

"The Board is proud of the hard work of staff and management in reaching our first year of profitability and a record quarterly income," stated Mark Miller, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Nonperforming assets were $1.8 million at December 31, 2012, a decrease of 5% from the prior year. The allowance for loan losses was 1.54% of loans at December 31 and 110% of nonperforming loans. Mr. Lovell commented, "We are cautiously optimistic about the improving trends in our portfolio. We continue to closely monitor the performance of our loan portfolio and aggressively take action as problems arise."

Stockholders' equity was $5.0 million at December 31, 2012, or 6% of assets. Book value was 61 cents per share, two cents more than at the end of 2011.

Idaho First Bank is a state-chartered commercial bank that opened for business in October 2005. Its headquarters are located in McCall, Idaho, with a loan production office in downtown Boise.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, the regulatory environment, loan concentrations, vendors, employees, technology, competition, and interest rates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Idaho First Bank has no obligation to publicly update the forward-looking statements after the date of this release. This statement is included for the express purpose of invoking PSLRA's safe harbor provisions.