COLUMBUS, Ind., April 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indiana Community Bancorp (the "Company") (Nasdaq:INCB), the holding company of Indiana Bank and Trust Company of Columbus, Indiana (the "Bank"), today announced quarterly earnings of $1.3 million or $0.31 diluted earnings per common share compared to $418,000 or $0.04 diluted earnings per common share a year earlier. Net interest income increased $1.2 million or 16.3% compared to the prior year. The primary reason for the increase in net interest income was due to an increase in net interest margin to 3.63% in the first quarter which represented a 38 basis point increase over the prior year. Total loans decreased $2.8 million while total deposits increased $19.0 million. Chairman and CEO John Keach, Jr. stated, "Improvement to net interest margin is a key strategic focus for 2011. We are pleased to see this measure trending in the right direction." Executive Vice President and CFO Mark Gorski added, "It is exciting to see continued strong core transaction deposit growth as transaction deposits are the cornerstone for enhancing franchise value."
Balance Sheet
Total assets were $1.05 billion as of March 31, 2011, an increase of $7.0 million from December 31, 2010. Total loans decreased $2.8 million for the quarter. Commercial and commercial mortgage loans were unchanged for the quarter while residential mortgage loans and consumer loans accounted for the decrease in loans during the quarter. The decrease in total loans for the quarter reflects the sluggish market conditions experienced during the first quarter. Demand for home equity and second mortgage loans remains very soft within the Bank's market footprint. Commercial lending activity was also soft driven primarily by limited new business expansion combined with intense competition for high quality C&I relationships.
Total retail deposits increased $19.0 million for the quarter. This substantial growth in retail deposits was driven by growth in commercial and retail transaction accounts. A portion of the first quarter growth was likely inflated balances due to the timing of tax refunds. The Bank continues to experience a decrease in certificates of deposit. Total certificates of deposit decreased $5.4 million due to the low interest rates currently available.
Asset Quality
Provision for loan losses totaled $1.6 million for the quarter which was a decrease of $537,000 compared to the provision for the first quarter of 2010. The provision for loan losses covered net charge offs which were $1.6 million for the first quarter. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.96% at March 31, 2011 compared to 1.95% at December 31, 2010. Total non-performing assets decreased $3.0 million to $31.4 million at March 31, 2011. Non-performing assets to total assets was 2.99% at March 31, 2011.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased $1.2 million or 16.3% to $8.6 million for the quarter. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to significant improvement in the net interest margin. Net interest margin for the quarter was 3.63%, which represented an increase of 38 basis points compared to the prior year. The increase in the net interest margin continues to be driven by the mix shift within the Bank's core deposits. Growth in lower cost transaction accounts combined with decreases in higher cost certificates of deposit resulted in a 50 basis point decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities compared to the prior year.
Non Interest Income
Non interest income increased $178,000 or 8.2% to $2.3 million for the quarter. The increase was primarily due to net gains on the sale of securities which totaled $184,000 for the quarter. While not a core activity, the Bank continued to take advantage of interest rate volatility in the securities market to reposition a portion of the securities portfolio. Gain on sale of loans increased $39,000 for the quarter compared to the prior year. However, gain on sale of loans was down significantly compared to the second half of 2010. Mortgage origination levels during the second half of 2010 were driven by significant refinance activity due to reductions in mortgage rates. Service fees on deposits decreased $116,000 or 7.8% for the quarter due primarily to a decrease in overdraft fees. Miscellaneous income included a net loss on the writedown of other real estate of $387,000 for the quarter due primarily to the write down of a large other real estate owned property based on negotiations related to the sale of the property. Management expects the sale to be completed during the second half of 2011.
Non Interest Expenses
Non interest expenses increased $461,000 or 6.5% to $7.6 million for the quarter. Compensation and employee benefits expense increased $278,000 or 7.4% for the quarter due primarily to costs associated with additional personnel added to the commercial and investment advisory departments during 2010, increased medical benefit costs and increased costs related to restricted stock grants to key management personnel. Occupancy expense increased $68,000 for the quarter related to expenses associated with the Company's expanded office space in downtown Indianapolis. FDIC insurance expense increased $39,000 for the quarter due to increased deposits. Marketing expense increased $37,000 for the quarter as the Company has increased the marketing budget to support growth opportunities for core deposits within the market footprint.
Indiana Community Bancorp is a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Indiana Bank and Trust Company, its principal subsidiary, is an FDIC insured state chartered commercial bank. Indiana Bank and Trust Company was founded in 1908 and offers a wide range of consumer and commercial financial services through 20 branch offices in central and southeastern Indiana.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include expressions such as "expects," "intends," "believes," and "should," which are necessarily statements of belief as to the expected outcomes of future events. Actual results could materially differ from those presented. Indiana Community Bancorp undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. The Company's ability to predict future results involves a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which have been set forth in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.
CONTACT: John K. Keach, Jr. Chairman Chief Executive Officer (812) 373-7816 Mark T. Gorski Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer (812) 373-7379