STURGIS, Mich., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. (OTC:STBI) (BULLETIN BOARD: STBI) posted a 6.6% earnings increase for the first quarter of 2009, compared to 2008, Eric L. Eishen, President and CEO, announced today. Key Highlights for the Quarter: -- Net income increased 6.6% to $694,000, or $0.34 per share. -- Total deposits increased 7.3% to $254.7 million. -- Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $4.6 million, or 17.9%. -- Realized gain on sale of securities was $1.1 million. -- Secured liabilities, comprised of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and repurchase agreements, were reduced $10.6 million, or 9.1%. -- Sturgis Bank & Trust Company's regulatory capital ratios continue to exceed the "well capitalized" definition. -- Allowance for loan losses increased to 1.39% of total loans from 1.01% at the end of 2008. -- TARP CPP funds of $7.2 million were preliminarily approved by the U.S. Treasury - In April 2009, the Company rejected Treasury's offer. -- Loan delinquencies remain relatively unchanged since December 31, 2008. First Quarter of 2009 vs. 2008 - Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased 6.6% to $694,000, or $0.34 per share, basic and diluted, from $651,000, or $0.30 per share, basic and diluted, for the year-earlier quarter. Net interest income remained relatively flat, decreasing only $4,000. The decrease in tax-equivalent net interest margin for the quarters to 2.98% in 2009 from 3.25% in 2008 was offset by growth in average interest-earning assets. Average interest-earning assets increased to $355.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 from $321.3 million for the same quarter in 2008. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2009 were $150,000, compared to $21,000 a year ago. The Company provided $1.2 million for loan losses in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $82,000 in 2008. The increase in provision for loan losses recognizes the deterioration of economic market conditions, increasing the Bank's allowance for loan losses to 1.39% of total loans at March 31, 2009 from 1.01% at December 31, 2008. Noninterest income was $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2009, compared to $1.3 million for 2008. The primary component of this increase was $1.1 million of realized gain on sale of available-for-sale mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage banking activities increased 81% to $394,000, primarily due to a short term decrease in mortgage rates during the three months ended March 31, 2009. Commission income decreased 41% to $242,000, as the market value of brokerage accounts decreased for the two quarters. Other noninterest income included a $7,000 gain on sale of real estate owned in 2009, compared to $31,000 gain in 2008. Noninterest expense decreased $167,000, primarily in salaries and employee benefits. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits resulted from the elimination of profit-sharing accrual for 2009, lower brokerage commission expense, and increase in deferral of loan origination expenses. Mr. Eishen said, "We had a positive first quarter, relative to the first quarter of 2008. The Bank increased its allowance for loan losses and realized a significant gain on sale of securities. The Company continue to perform better than many of its Michigan peers. The Company also diligently investigates the loan portfolio for early indications of weakness in any segment." Mr. Eishen added, "Loan activity has been strong, especially to refinance residential mortgages at lower market rates. The Company has resisted weakening our underwriting standards or stretching for yield as rates have fallen. Our lending team is working hard to add quality customers and market share. We are continuing our strategic focus on restructuring our balance sheet to reflect a more commercial bank structure and building fee income." Total assets increased to $397.4 million at March 31, 2009 from $383.4 million at December 31, 2008, primarily in short-term interest-earning deposits. Loans also increased $1.5 million for the quarter. Delinquent loans remained relatively unchanged from December 31, 2008, as follows: Percentage of Gross Loans at December 31, Past due and still accruing: 03/31/2009 12/31/2008 ---------- ---------- Past due one month 0.67% 1.07% Past due two months 0.27% 0.38% Past due three or more months 0.32% 0.14% Nonaccrual loans 1.20% 1.12% Real Estate Owned 0.74% 0.67% Noninterest-bearing deposits increased to $30.3 million at March 31, 2009 from $25.7 million at December 31, 2008. Interest-bearing deposits also increased to $224.4 million at March 31, 2009 from $211.8 million at December 31, 2008. A good portion of the increase, $8.2 million, was in transaction accounts. Brokered certificates of deposit increased $2.6 million from December 31, 2008. Brokered certificates of deposit are used as an alternative to Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances, when the total interest cost is lower. The increase in deposits allowed the Bank to reduce FHLB advances and repurchase agreements by $5.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively. In the quarter ended March 31, 2009, paid cash dividends of $0.12 per common share, totaling $0.3 million. Total equity was $25.6 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $25.8 million at December 31, 2008. Book value per share decreased to $12.69 at March 31, 2009 from $12.76 at December 31, 2008. Sturgis Bancorp is the holding company for Sturgis Bank & Trust Company, and its subsidiaries Oakleaf Financial Services, Inc. and Oak Mortgage, LLC. Sturgis Bancorp provides a full array of trust, commercial and consumer banking services from 12 banking centers in Sturgis, Bronson, Centreville, Climax, Coldwater, Colon, South Haven, Three Rivers and White Pigeon, Mich. Oakleaf Financial Services offers a complete range of investment and financial-advisory services. Oak Mortgage offers residential mortgages in all markets of the Bank. This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements appear in several places in this release and include statements regarding intent, belief, outlook, objectives, efforts, estimates or expectations of Bancorp, primarily with respect to future events and the future financial performance of the Bancorp. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking laws and regulations; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; government and regulatory policy changes; the outcome of any pending and future litigation and contingencies; trends in consumer behavior and ability to repay loans; and changes of the world, national and local economies. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The numbers presented herein are unaudited. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.sturgisbank.com/. (Financial statements follow) Consolidated Balance Sheets Mar. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008 ------------- ------------- (In Thousands) Assets Cash and due from banks $9,412 $6,930 Other short-term investments 9,355 9 ----- - Total cash and cash equivalents 18,767 6,939 Interest-earning deposits in banks 14,225 9,334 Securities - Available for sale 37,106 41,896 Securities - Held-to-maturity 9,205 8,777 Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 4,784 4,784 Loans held for sale 2,107 1,578 Loans, net 282,410 280,867 Premises and equipment, net 8,587 8,710 Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization 5,109 5,109 Originated mortgage servicing rights 1,326 1,409 Real estate owned 2,125 1,913 Bank owned life insurance 8,154 8,072 Accrued interest receivable 2,009 2,286 Investment in limited partnerships 592 618 Other assets 878 1,102 --- ----- Total assets $397,384 $383,394 ======== ======== Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities Deposits Noninterest-bearing $30,303 $25,710 Interest bearing 224,437 211,807 ------- ------- Total Deposits 254,740 237,517 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 81,600 86,287 Repurchase agreements 25,000 30,500 Accrued interest payable 756 868 Other liabilities 10,128 2,472 ------ ----- Total liabilities 371,784 357,644 Stockholders' Equity Preferred stock - $1 par value: Authorized - 1,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding - 0 shares Common stock - $1 par value: Authorized - 9,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding - 2,017,245 Shares at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 2,017 2,017 Additional paid-in capital 6,872 6,872 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (211) 391 Retained earnings 16,922 16,470 ------ ------ Total stockholders' equity 25,600 25,750 ------ ------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $397,384 $383,394 ============= ============= Consolidated Statements of Income Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 2008 Interest income (In Thousands) Loans $3,931 $4,776 Investment securities: Taxable 681 477 Tax-exempt 7 18 Dividends 47 64 Total interest income 4,666 5,335 Interest expense Deposits 1,110 1,594 Borrowed funds 967 1,148 Total interest expense 2,077 2,742 Net interest income 2,589 2,593 Provision for loan losses 1,125 82 Net interest income - After provision for loan losses 1,364 2,511 Noninterest income: Service charges and other fees 416 389 Investment brokerage commission income 242 408 Mortgage banking activities 374 207 Trust fee income 71 136 Increase in value of bank owned life insurance 82 80 Gain on sale of securities 1,101 - Other income 8 31 Total noninterest income 2,294 1,251 Noninterest expenses: Salaries and employee benefits 1,599 1,887 Occupancy and equipment 393 350 Data processing 203 186 Professional services 81 74 Real estate owned expense 49 55 Advertising 30 31 FDIC insurance premium 96 7 Other 302 330 Total noninterest expenses 2,753 2,920 Income - Before income tax expense 905 842 Provision for federal income tax 211 191 Net income $694 $651 Earnings per share $0.34 $0.30 Dividends declared per share $0.12 $0.12 Return on average equity 10.90% 10.04% Return on average assets 0.72% 0.73% Net interest margin (tax equivalent) 2.98% 3.25% DATASOURCE: Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. CONTACT: Eric Eishen, President & CEO, or Brian P. Hoggatt, CFO, both of Sturgis Bancorp, +1-269-651-9345 Web Site: http://www.sturgisbank.com/

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