PennFed Financial Services, Inc. Reports 33% Increase in Third Quarter Earnings Per Share and a 40% Increase in the Dividend


WEST ORANGE, N.J., April 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:PFSB), the holding company for New Jersey-based Penn Federal Savings Bank, reported earnings of 28 cents per diluted share for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005. This compared to 21 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, representing growth of 33%.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, PennFed reported earnings of $0.82 per diluted share, compared to $0.64 per diluted share for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. Return on equity for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 was 12.68% compared to 10.36% for the comparable prior year period. Joseph L. LaMonica, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We were pleased with results as they represented core earnings, with no significant gains from loan and securities sales or other non-recurring revenue items."

The Company also reported that its Board of Directors approved a two cents increase in the quarterly cash dividend. PennFed stockholders of record as of May 13, 2005 will be paid a cash dividend of $0.07 per share on May 27, 2005. The level of the Company's dividend will continue to be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

At March 31, 2005, total assets of $1.996 billion represented annualized growth of 6.6% since June 30, 2004. During the first nine months of fiscal 2005, net loans receivable grew over 8%. Total loan production was $95 million and $334 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005, respectively. While a reduction in refinance activity since the beginning of the fiscal year and the resulting slowdown in loan production has occurred, the Company has also benefited from a slowdown in accelerated prepayments on loans.

"Growth in deposits has funded the growth in loans," LaMonica commented. Since June 30, 2004, total deposits have increased $96 million, with core deposits (checking, money market and savings accounts) increasing $41 million, or 7.0%.

During the current fiscal year, the Company again demonstrated its commitment to expanding its retail franchise with a February 2005 opening of its 25th branch - located in Aberdeen, New Jersey. Over the last year, three branches have been opened. The Company continues to evaluate additional locations that would complement or expand the franchise.

PennFed's net interest margin reflected compression. For the current quarter, the margin of 2.26% reflected a 7 basis point contraction from the December 2004 quarter. LaMonica noted, "PennFed's cost of funds is increasing at a slightly faster pace than our yield on assets, similar to what other traditional thrifts are experiencing. In the current and projected interest rate environment, with short term rates rising and a flattening yield curve, continued pressure on net interest margin is expected."

LaMonica stated, "Our low-risk, low-cost reputation remains intact. Asset quality is exceptional." Non-performing assets totaled $1.6 million and represented only 0.08% of total assets at March 31, 2005.

The Company's expense and efficiency ratios also remained strong at 1.24% and 46.97%, respectively, for the current quarter versus 1.47% and 55.70% for the prior year quarter. While current expense levels reflect the end of costs associated with funding the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan, expenses include a replacement benefit plan for the ESOP as well as costs associated with new branches opened in the last two years. In addition, costs associated with regulatory burden, especially compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404, have required, and are expected to continue to require, significant additional expenditures.

The Company continues to be successful employing stock repurchases as a means of utilizing capital. During the March 2005 quarter, 150,900 shares of the Company's outstanding stock were repurchased at prices ranging from $15.05 to $16.15, for a total cost of $2.4 million. Subject to availability and liquidity, the Company intends to continue to repurchase stock given current trading and price levels.

With its February 2005 opening of a branch in Aberdeen, New Jersey, Penn Federal Savings Bank now maintains 25 New Jersey branch offices. The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, changes in economic conditions in the Company's market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates and demand for loans in the Company's market area, the relationship of short-term interest rates to long-term interest rates, competition and terrorist acts that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above, as well as other factors, could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.



                   PennFed Financial Services, Inc.
            (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank)
              Selected Consolidated Financial Information
           (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                     March 31,  December 31,   June 30,     March 31,
                       2005         2004         2004         2004
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
 Selected Financial
 Condition Data:
  Cash and cash
   equivalents      $   12,757   $   14,829   $   14,859   $   18,897
  Investments, net     424,491      422,159      424,980      425,103
  Mortgage-backed
   securities, net      83,079       87,879      100,079       99,487
  Loans held for
   sale                      0        2,580            0            0
  Loans receivable:
   One- to four-
    family mortgage
    loans            1,093,072    1,075,831      996,659      917,374
   Commercial and
    multi-family
    real estate
    loans              167,783      168,092      172,244      164,200
   Consumer loans      132,543      124,402      117,688      115,875
   Allowance for
    loan losses         (6,054)      (6,064)      (6,249)      (6,252)
   Other, net            8,101        7,931        7,131        6,533
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Loans receivable,
   net               1,395,445    1,370,192    1,287,473    1,197,730

  FHLB stock            21,733       22,102       23,773       24,273
  Other intangible
   assets                    0          454        1,361        1,814
  Other assets          58,859       59,293       49,761       49,109
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Total assets      $1,996,364   $1,979,488   $1,902,286   $1,816,413
                    ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

  Deposits:
   Checking and
    money market    $  210,327   $  199,297   $  169,609   $  163,893
   Savings             419,112      430,203      418,678      406,830
   Certificates of
    deposit and
    accrued interest   655,028      623,954      599,813      558,814
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Total deposits     1,284,467    1,253,454    1,188,100    1,129,537

  FHLB advances        425,465      425,465      475,465      485,465
  Other borrowings     103,059      122,624       59,346       27,046
  Junior sub-
   ordinated
   debentures           42,070       42,059       42,037       42,026
  Other liabilities     17,074       12,551       18,939       14,759
  Stockholders'
   equity              124,229(a)   123,335      118,399      117,580
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Total liabilities
   and stockholders'
   equity           $1,996,364   $1,979,488   $1,902,286   $1,816,413
                    ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

  Book value per
   share            $     9.20   $     9.04   $     8.72   $     8.82

  Equity to assets        6.22%        6.23%        6.22%        6.47%

 Asset Quality Data:
  Non-performing
   loans            $    1,611   $    1,776   $    2,182   $    2,900
  Real estate owned,
   net                       0            0            0           28
                    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Total non-per-
   forming assets   $    1,611   $    1,776   $    2,182   $    2,928
                    ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

  Non-performing
   loans to total
   loans                  0.11%        0.13%        0.17%        0.24%
  Non-performing
   assets to total
   assets                 0.08%        0.09%        0.11%        0.16%
  Allowance for loan
   losses to non-
   performing loans     375.79%      341.44%      286.39%      215.59%
  Allowance for loan
   losses to total
   gross loans            0.43%        0.44%        0.48%        0.52%

 Regulatory Capital
 Ratios (of the Bank):
  Tangible capital
   ratio (require-
   ment - 1.50%)          8.51%        8.56%        8.61%        8.86%
  Core capital ratio
   (requirement
     - 4.00%)             8.51%        8.56%        8.61%        8.86%
  Risk-based capital
   ratio (require-
   ment - 8.00%)         16.43%       16.58%       16.86%       17.48%

 (a) Common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2005
     totaled 13,499,078 shares.

 Amounts have been restated for the effects of a 2 for 1 stock split
    in the form of a 100% stock dividend paid on October 29, 2004.

                   PennFed Financial Services, Inc.
           (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank)
             Selected Consolidated Financial Information
           (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                          For the                   For the 
                      Three months ended        Nine months ended
                          March 31,                 March 31,
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
                      2005         2004         2005         2004
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Selected Operating
 Data:
  Interest and
   dividend income $    26,167  $    24,326  $    77,971  $    71,725
  Interest expense      15,300       14,598       45,094       44,022
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Net interest and
    dividend income     10,867        9,728       32,877       27,703
  Provision for
   loan losses               0            0            0            0
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net interest and
   dividend income
   after provision
   for loan losses      10,867        9,728       32,877       27,703
  Non-interest
  income:
   Service charges         703          957        2,296        3,131
   Net gain from
    real estate
    operations               0            0          157            1
   Net gain on
    sales of loans         172           57          266          754
   Other                   369          360          980        1,062
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
     Total non-
      interest
      income             1,244        1,374        3,699        4,948
  Non-interest
  expenses:
   Compensation &
    employee
    benefits             3,135        3,901        9,407       10,841
   Net occupancy
    expense                643          514        1,741        1,417
   Equipment               516          536        1,594        1,520
   Advertising             155          102          549          236
   Amortization of
    intangibles            454          453        1,361        1,362
   Federal deposit
    insurance
    premium                 44           41          128          126
   Other                 1,196        1,090        3,663        3,091
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Total non-
    interest
    expenses             6,143        6,637       18,443       18,593
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Income before
   income taxes          5,968        4,465       18,133       14,058
  Income tax
   expense               2,114        1,499        6,511        4,838
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net income       $     3,854  $     2,966  $    11,622  $     9,220
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 Weighted avg. no 
  of diluted common
  shares            13,959,738   14,385,896   14,099,360   14,455,810
 Diluted earnings
  per common share $      0.28  $      0.21  $      0.82  $      0.64

 Return on average
  common equity          12.44%        9.98%       12.68%       10.36%

 Return on average
  assets                  0.78%        0.66%        0.79%        0.69%

 Average earning
  assets           $ 1,913,274  $ 1,741,017  $ 1,898,462  $ 1,724,232

 Yield on average
  interest-earning
  assets                  5.48%        5.59%        5.47%        5.53%
 Cost of average
  interest-bearing
  liabilities             3.34%        3.48%        3.27%        3.51%
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Net interest
  rate spread             2.14%        2.11%        2.20%        2.02%
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
 Net interest
  margin                  2.26%        2.24%        2.32%        2.16%

 Non-interest exp 
  as a % of avg 
  assets                  1.24%        1.47%        1.25%        1.39%
 Efficiency ratio        46.97%       55.70%       46.90%       52.77%

 Loan originations
 and purchases:
  One- to four-
   family mortgage
   loans           $    63,610  $    79,438  $   242,753  $   319,075
  Commercial and
   multi-family
   real estate
   loans                 8,110       10,143       30,142       27,359
  Consumer loans        23,681       17,248       61,507       55,421
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Total loan
    originations
    and purchases  $    95,401  $   106,829  $   334,402  $   401,855
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========



 Amounts have been restated for the effects of a 2 for 1 stock split
    in the form of a 100% stock dividend paid on October 29, 2004.


                   PennFed Financial Services, Inc.
            (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank)
              Selected Consolidated Financial Information
           (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                     For the three months ended
                              ---------------------------------------
                                Mar. 31,      Dec. 31,     Sep. 30,
                                  2005         2004          2004
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
 Selected Operating Data:
  Interest and dividend
   income                     $    26,167   $    25,999   $    25,805
  Interest expense                 15,300        15,060        14,734
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
   Net interest and dividend
    income                         10,867        10,939        11,071
  Provision for loan losses             0             0             0
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
  Net interest and dividend
   income after provision for
   loan losses                     10,867        10,939        11,071
  Non-interest income:
   Service charges                    703           867           726
   Net gain from real estate
    operations                          0           157             0
   Net gain on sales of loans         172            70            24
   Other                              369           261           350
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
   Total non-interest income        1,244         1,355         1,100
  Non-interest expenses:
   Compensation & employee
    benefits                        3,135         3,079         3,193
   Net occupancy expense              643           559           539
   Equipment                          516           543           535
   Advertising                        155           227           167
   Amortization of intangibles        454           454           453
   Federal deposit insurance
    premium                            44            43            41
   Other                            1,196         1,276         1,191
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
   Total non-interest
    expenses                        6,143         6,181         6,119
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
  Income before income taxes        5,968         6,113         6,052
  Income tax expense                2,114         2,133         2,264
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
  Net income                  $     3,854   $     3,980   $     3,788
                              ===========   ===========   ===========

  Weighted avg. no. of
   diluted common shares       13,959,738    14,114,728    14,195,722
  Diluted earnings per
   common share               $      0.28   $      0.28   $      0.27

  Return on average common
   equity                           12.44%        12.97%        12.63%

  Return on average assets           0.78%         0.81%         0.78%

  Average earning assets      $ 1,913,274   $ 1,901,002   $ 1,881,110

  Yield on average interest-
   earning assets                    5.48%         5.45%         5.47%
  Cost of average interest-
   bearing liabilities               3.34%         3.25%         3.22%
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
  Net interest rate spread           2.14%         2.20%         2.25%
                              ===========   ===========   ===========

  Net interest margin                2.26%         2.33%         2.38%

  Non-interest exp. as a % of
   avg. assets                       1.24%         1.26%         1.26%
  Efficiency ratio                  46.97%        47.19%        46.55%

  Loan originations and
  purchases:
   One- to four-family
    mortgage loans            $    63,610   $    55,899   $   123,244
   Commercial and multi-
    family real estate loans        8,110        16,217         5,815
   Consumer loans                  23,681        20,121        17,705
                              -----------   -----------   -----------
    Total loan originations
     and purchases            $    95,401   $    92,237   $   146,764
                              ===========   ===========   ===========



                                           For the three months ended
                                           --------------------------
                                             Jun. 30,      Mar. 31,
                                               2004          2004
                                           -----------    -----------
 Selected Operating Data:
  Interest and dividend income             $    24,551    $    24,326
  Interest expense                              14,652         14,598
                                           -----------    -----------
   Net interest and dividend income              9,899          9,728
  Provision for loan losses                          0              0
                                           -----------    -----------
  Net interest and dividend income
   after provision for loan losses               9,899          9,728
  Non-interest income:
   Service charges                               1,044            957
   Net gain from real estate operations             57              0
   Net gain on sales of loans                        5             57
   Other                                           375            360
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total non-interest income                     1,481          1,374
  Non-interest expenses:
   Compensation & employee benefits              3,752          3,901
   Net occupancy expense                           477            514
   Equipment                                       537            536
   Advertising                                     154            102
   Amortization of intangibles                     454            453
   Federal deposit insurance premium                42             41
   Other                                         1,421          1,090
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total non-interest expenses                   6,837          6,637
                                           -----------    -----------
  Income before income taxes                     4,543          4,465
  Income tax expense                             1,705          1,499
                                           -----------    -----------
  Net income                               $     2,838    $     2,966
                                           ===========    ===========

  Weighted avg.  no. of diluted
   common shares                            14,205,944     14,385,896
  Diluted earnings per common share        $      0.20    $      0.21

  Return on average common equity                 9.69%          9.98%

  Return on average assets                        0.61%          0.66%

  Average earning assets                   $ 1,782,562    $ 1,741,017

  Yield on average interest-earning
   assets                                         5.51%          5.59%
  Cost of average interest-bearing
   liabilities                                    3.41%          3.48%
                                           -----------    -----------
  Net interest rate spread                        2.10%          2.11%
                                           ===========    ===========
  Net interest margin                             2.23%          2.24%

  Non-interest exp. as a % of
   avg. assets                                    1.48%          1.47%
  Efficiency ratio                               56.37%         55.70%

  Loan originations and purchases:
   One- to four-family mortgage loans      $   143,758    $    79,438
   Commercial and multi-family real
    estate loans                                15,863         10,143
   Consumer loans                               19,581         17,248
                                           -----------    -----------
    Total loan originations and purchases  $   179,202    $   106,829
                                           ===========    ===========


 Amounts have been restated for the effects of a 2 for 1 stock split
    in the form of a 100% stock dividend paid on October 29, 2004.


                   PennFed Financial Services, Inc.
            (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank)
              Selected Consolidated Financial Information
           (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

     CALCULATION OF NET INCOME ADJUSTED FOR NON-RECURRING CHARGES


                                For the three months ended
                             ----------------------------------
                              Mar. 31,    Dec. 31,    Sep. 30,
                                2005        2004        2004
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  
 Reported net income         $    3,854  $    3,980  $    3,788  

 Non-recurring
 charges:
  Additional
   environmental
   accrual                            0           0           0  
  Tax effect                          0           0           0  
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  
  Non-recurring
   charges,
   net of taxes                       0           0           0  

                             ----------  ----------  ----------  
 "Adjusted" net
  income                     $    3,854  $    3,980  $    3,788  
                             ==========  ==========  ==========  

 Weighted avg. no.
  of diluted
  common shares              13,959,738  14,114,728  14,195,722  
 Diluted earnings per
  common share               $     0.28  $     0.28  $     0.27  

 Return on average
  common equity                   12.44%      12.97%      12.63% 

 Return on average
  assets                           0.78%       0.81%       0.78% 

 Non-interest exp 
  as a % of avg.
  assets                           1.24%       1.26%       1.26% 
 Efficiency ratio                 46.97%      47.19%      46.55% 

                         For the three months ended
                         --------------------------
                            Jun. 30,     Mar. 31,
                              2004        2004
                           ----------  ----------   
 Reported net income       $    2,838  $    2,966   
                                                    
 Non-recurring                                      
 charges:                                           
  Additional                                        
   environmental                                    
   accrual                        298           0   
  Tax effect                     (110)          0   
                           ----------  ----------   
  Non-recurring                                     
   charges,                                         
   net of taxes                   188           0   
                                                    
                           ----------  ----------   
 "Adjusted" net                                     
  income                   $    3,026  $    2,966   
                           ==========  ==========   
                                                    
 Weighted avg. no.                                  
  of diluted                                        
  common shares            14,205,944  14,385,896   
 Diluted earnings per                               
  common share             $     0.21  $     0.21   
                                                    
 Return on average                                  
  common equity                 10.33%       9.98%  
                                                    
 Return on average                                  
  assets                         0.66%       0.66%  
                                                    
 Non-interest exp                                   
  as a % of avg.                                    
  assets                         1.42%       1.47%  
 Efficiency ratio               53.74%      55.70%  
                           

 Amounts have been restated for the effects of a 2 for 1 stock split
    in the form of a 100% stock dividend paid on October 29, 2004.

            

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