The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company Continues Strong Growth; Shrinks Losses


HARTFORD, Conn., July 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company (Nasdaq:CTBC) today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2007. CBT reported that total assets rose $33.3 million from December 31, 2006 to $169.8 million on June 30, 2007. CBT also reported a reduction of $316,000, or 35%, in the net loss for the second quarter. The net loss for the quarter ending June 30, 2007 was $592,000 or $0.17 per share compared to a net loss of $908,000 or $0.26 per share for comparable period a year earlier.

The results of operation for the six months ended June 30, 2007 also reflected improvement with a reduction in the loss of $554,000, or 31%, to a loss of $1,230,000 or $0.35 per share compared to a loss of $1,784,000 or $0.51 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

Chairman and CEO David A. Lentini commented, "I am pleased that the results continue to show improvement while we expand our geographic reach. We marked the opening of our newest banking center in Windsor, CT with an open house and reception held on May 8. Our entrance into that community has been well received. The Business Development Officers have been increasing the number of customer relationships in that area and our new facility provides a service base to build upon." Lentini went on to add, "We received regulatory approval to open our 7th banking center in Rocky Hill later this year. This will complete the current expansion phase to support our footprint as the fastest growing bank in CT."

Results of Operations. For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, net interest income totaled $1,324,000 compared to $965,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Net interest increased $359,000 and noninterest income grew $89,000. Noninterest expense increased $243,000 while the provision for loan losses decreased $111,000.

The increase in net interest is due to growth in interest earning assets which contributed $356,000 to net interest income, with the remaining $3,000 comprised of rate changes. The net interest margin (NIM) was 3.46% for the quarter ending June 30, 2007 compared to 3.86% for the comparable period a year earlier. The NIM has been negatively impacted by the rapid growth in average earning assets expanding at a quicker rate than net interest income.

CEO Lentini remarked, "The yield curve and the competitive market continue to put pressure on net interest income, and ultimately the net interest margin. We raised funds through a CD promotion, which coincided with our opening of the Windsor banking center. These funds provide liquidity and will continue to support loan growth, but are temporarily held in short term investments."

The net interest spread declined 23 basis points from 2.72% at June 30, 2006 to 2.49% at June 30, 2007. The net interest spread measures the difference between the average rate earned on earning assets and the average rate paid for interest bearing liabilities. The funds raised through the CD promotion are invested in Federal funds, and the yield is comparable to the cost on the certificates of deposit, which lowers the overall net interest spread.

Noninterest income increased $89,000, or 356%, from $25,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 to $114,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Service charges and fees on deposit accounts increased $18,000 to $43,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Brokerage commission revenue contributed $70,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. CBT commenced offering retail brokerage services to its customers in the third quarter of 2006.

Noninterest expenses increased $243,000 to $1,963,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 2007 compared to $1,720,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. Compensation costs rose due to staff additions and occupancy costs rose as a result of branch expansion and the related costs of goods and services. Expenses for marketing, professional services and other management discretionary expenses were flat from the same period a year earlier.

Balance Sheet Performance. Total assets at June 30, 2007 were $169.8 million, an increase of $33.3 million from the $136.4 million reported at December 31, 2006. The loan portfolio totaled $123.7 million at June 30, 2007 with a $16.7 million increase in loans from year end. Additionally, there was a $16.6 million increase in cash and cash equivalents which will be used for funding future loan growth and our daily operating needs. The increase in assets was completely funded through deposits raised in the market. Total deposits increased $33.3 million to $133 million at June 30, 2007. Stockholders' equity at June 30, 2007 was $20.8 million compared to $22.1 million at December 31, 2006 primarily reflective of the operating losses for the period ending June 30, 2007.

Asset Quality. The allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2007 was $1,511,000 compared to $1,384,000 at December 31, 2006. This represented 1.22% and 1.29% of outstanding loans at the respective dates and reflects the risk in the portfolio. There were no charge-offs during the quarter.

At June 30, 2007, three loans totaling $621,000 were classified as nonperforming loans compared to two loans totaling $597,000 at December 31, 2006. The coverage ratio which measures the allowance for loan and lease losses to total nonperforming loans was 243% at June 30, 2007 compared to 242% at March 31, 2007.



                THE CONNECTICUT BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                       Selected Performance Data

 Dollar values in thousands except per share
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Three months ended
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
              Mar 31,  June 30,  Sept 30,   Dec 31,  Mar 31,  June 30,
               2006     2006      2006      2006      2007      2007
 ----------  -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total assets
  (EOP)      $99,016  $112,462  $123,325  $136,434  $155,554  $169,816

 Net
  operating
  loss       $  (876) $   (908) $   (844) $   (610) $   (638) $   (592)
 Net interest
  margin        4.19%     3.86%     3.69%     3.74%     3.70%     3.46%
 Net interest
  spread        2.90%     2.72%     2.57%     2.59%     2.57%     2.49%
 Ratio of total
  stockholders'
  equity to
  total assets
  (EOP)        24.25%    20.47%    18.35%    16.19%    13.92%    12.25%
 Weighted avg
  shrs out-
  standing     3,517     3,521     3,524     3,531     3,531     3,534
 Loss per
  share      $ (0.25) $  (0.26) $  (0.24) $  (0.17) $  (0.18) $  (0.17)
 Book value
  per share
  (EOP)      $  6.73  $   6.45  $   6.34  $   6.19  $   6.07  $   5.83
 Allowance
  for loan
  losses to
  total
  loans
  (EOP)         1.36%     1.37%     1.34%     1.29%     1.24%     1.22%

                                             Year ended
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                       June 30,        June 30,
                                         2006            2007
 -----------------------------------  --------------------------
 Total assets (EOP)                    $112,462        $169,816
                                                    
 Net operating loss                    $ (1,784)       $ (1,230)
 Net interest margin                       4.02%           3.57%
 Net interest spread                       2.82%           2.54%
 Ratio of total stockholders' equity                
  to total assets (EOP)                   20.47%          12.25%
 Weighted avg shrs outstanding            3,518           3,532
 Loss per share                        $  (0.51)       $  (0.35)
 Book value per share (EOP)            $   6.45        $   5.83
 Allowance for loan losses                          
  to total loans (EOP)                     1.37%           1.22%

Caution concerning forward-looking statements:

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors which include without limitation the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in the interest rates, the effects of competition, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in any such forward-looking statements. CBT does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements. See financial statements accompanying this release for additional data.



                THE CONNECTICUT BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations

               (Dollars in thousands except share data)

                                 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                       June 30,           June 30,
                                   ---------------   -----------------
                                    2007     2006      2007      2006
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
                                      (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)
 Interest and dividend income:
  Interest and fees on loans       $2,254   $1,386   $ 4,285   $ 2,534
  Debt securities                     245      239       495       499
  Dividends                            25       11        45        29
  Federal funds sold                  137        1       144        16
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Total interest and
  dividend income                   2,661    1,637     4,969     3,078
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Interest expense:
  Deposits                          1,185      530     2,089       948
  Borrowed funds                      152      142       343       227
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Total interest expense             1,337      672     2,432     1,175
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Net interest income                1,324      965     2,537     1,903
  Provision for loan losses            67      178       127       260
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Net interest income, after
  provision for loan losses         1,257      787     2,410     1,643
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------

 Non-interest income:
  Service charges and fees             43       25        83        43
  Brokerage commissions                70       --       124        --
  Net gain/(loss) from sales
   of available-for-sale
   securities                           1       --       (42)       --
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Total non-interest income            114       25       165        43
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------

 Non-interest expenses:
  Salaries and benefits             1,112      928     2,172     1,834
  Occupancy and equipment             345      287       681       563
  Data processing                      50       40        99        82
  Marketing                           106      158       221       430
  Professional services               116      200       221       253
  Telecommunications                   44       54        91        98
  Other general and administrative    190       53       320       210
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
   Total non-interest expenses      1,963    1,720     3,805     3,470
                                   ------   ------   -------   -------
 Net loss                          $ (592)  $ (908)  $(1,230)  $(1,784)
                                   ======   ======   =======   =======

 Net loss per share:
 Basic                             $(0.17)  $(0.26)  $ (0.35)  $ (0.51)
 Diluted                           $(0.17)  $(0.26)  $ (0.35)  $ (0.51)


                THE CONNECTICUT BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                            BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Dollars in Thousands)

                                     June 30,  December 31,  June 30,
                                      2007        2006         2006
                                   (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
               ASSETS

 Cash and due from banks            $   5,407   $   4,589   $   4,596
 Interest bearing asset                    76          76          25
 Federal funds sold                    16,274         475          50
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
  Cash and cash equivalents            21,757       5,140       4,671

 Securities available for sale         20,125      20,738      21,083
 Federal Reserve Bank stock,
  at cost                                 675         693         770
 Federal Home Loan Bank stock,
  at cost                                 914         728         533

 Loans                                123,665     106,910      83,069
 Less: allowance for loan losses       (1,511)     (1,384)     (1,136)
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
 Loans, net                           122,154     105,526      81,933

 Premises and equipment, net            2,689       2,217       2,036
 Accrued interest receivable              765         613         497
 Other assets                             737         779         939
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total Assets                       $ 169,816   $ 136,434   $ 112,462
                                    =========   =========   =========
         LIABILITIES AND
      STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Deposits                           $ 133,091   $  99,745   $  75,877
 Short term borrowings                  1,839       1,453      10,591
 Long term debt                        12,450      12,450       2,450
 Other liabilities                      1,628         701         525
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total liabilities                  149,008     114,349      89,443
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------

 Stockholders' equity;
  Common stock, $1.00 par value;
   10,000,000 shares authorized;
   3,572,450 shares issued and
   outstanding at June 30, 2007
   and 3,567,450 issued and
   outstanding at December 31, 2006     3,572       3,567       3,567
  Common stock warrants                   853         853         853
  Additional paid-in capital           29,657      29,582      29,553
  Restricted stock unearned
   compensation                          (367)       (426)       (523)
  Retained deficit                    (12,224)    (10,994)     (9,540)
  Accumulated other
   comprehensive loss                    (683)       (497)       (891)
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
    Total stockholders' equity         20,808      22,085      23,019
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------
    Total Liabilities and
     Stockholders' Equity           $ 169,816   $ 136,434   $ 112,462
                                    =========   =========   =========


            

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