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First Bank Reports Fourth Quarter 2012 Net Income of $999,800;; Total Assets Exceed $350 million

^{Published on 2013-02-11 11:15:33 - Market Wire}
 

First Bank Reports Fourth Quarter 2012 Net Income of $999,800; Total Assets... -- HAMILTON, N.J., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

HAMILTON, N.J., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- First Bank (OTC BB: FRBA) today announced fourth quarter 2012 results.  Net income for the quarter was $999,800.  Net income for the year ended 12/31/12 was $2,588,200.

Total assets at December 31, 2012 were $351 million, an increase of $23 million or 7% during the quarter.  Total loans reached $260 million at quarter end, an increase of $18 million or 7% compared to September 30, 2012.  Total deposits reached $309 million, an increase of $17 million or 6% compared to the end of the third quarter. 

With the fourth quarter earnings and the $500,000 from the second closing of the capital offering on October 31, 2012, book equity increased to $31.0 million.  Book value per share improved to $6.62.

President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Ryan discussed the financial results: "Net income of almost $1.0 million in Q4 was up 50% compared to $664,500 in Q3.   Income in the quarter was boosted by $332,100 due to the elimination of the valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset.  Even without the tax benefit, core earnings were up slightly in the quarter.

"In the fourth quarter, we saw the continuation of a number of positive trends: interest income grew 4% while interest expense was flat; non-interest income grew $56k in the quarter; non-performing loan and asset metrics improved; and book value per share grew by $0.13.  Given the challenging conditions in our industry, we are pleased with our results and are hopeful this positive momentum will continue in 2013."

About First Bank

First Bank ([ www.firstbanknj.com ]) is a New Jersey, state-chartered bank, which conducts its business with four full-service branches in Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence, and Williamstown, New Jersey. With $351 million in assets as of December 31, 2012, First Bank offers a range of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses in its Central and Southern New Jersey markets. First Bank's common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FRBA." 

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements; either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond the Bank's control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include general economic conditions, trends in interest rates, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and results of regulatory exams, among other factors.

SOURCE First Bank