CINCINNATI, Jan. 25, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Cheviot Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:CHEV), the parent company of Cheviot Savings Bank, today reported net earnings in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007 of $173,000, or $0.02 per share compared with net earnings of $392,000, or $0.04 per share for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2007 net earnings totaled $926,000, or $0.10 per share compared with net earnings of $1.7 million, or $0.18 per share for the comparable period in 2006. The earnings per share for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2007 were based on weighted average shares outstanding of 8,734,930 and 8,904,177 as compared with weighted average shares outstanding of 9,119,314 and 9,225,311 for the comparable 2006 periods.
The $219,000 decline in 2007 fourth quarter net earnings is due to a $159,000 decrease in net interest income after the provision for losses on loans, a decrease in other income of $5,000 and an increase in general, administrative and other expenses of $135,000, which were partially offset by a decrease in the provision for federal income taxes of $80,000. During the fourth quarter of 2007 the Company's provision for loan losses totaled $101,000 as compared to $25,000 during the fourth quarter of 2006. The increase in the provision reflects changes in economic conditions and the need to allocate specific reserves for two delinquent loans.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company's decline in earnings reflected a reduction of $526,000 in net interest income after the provision for losses on loans, as well as an increase of $597,000 in general, administrative and other expenses, which were partially offset by a $7,000 increase in other income and a decrease of $346,000 in the provision for federal income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company's provision for loans losses totaled $116,000 and $25,000.
In September 2006, the Company announced a repurchase plan which provided for the repurchase of 5% or 471,140 shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had purchased all of the shares pursuant to the program at an average price of $13.12.
At December 31, 2007, Cheviot Financial Corp. had consolidated total assets of $319.1 million, total liabilities of $251.1 million, including deposits of $219.5 million. Shareholders' equity totaled $67.9 million, or 21.3% of total assets. At December 31, 2007, Cheviot Savings Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements necessary to be considered "well-capitalized."
Cheviot Savings Bank was established in 1911 and currently has six full-service offices in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Unaudited financial statements follow.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Cheviot Financial Corp.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
ASSETS 2007 2006
Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,450 $ 5,490
Investment securities 45,492 49,463
Loans receivable 249,832 241,178
Other assets 14,286 13,649
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Total assets $ 319,060 $ 309,780
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits $ 219,526 $ 205,450
Advances from the FHLB 28,665 29,236
Other liabilities 2,949 2,894
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Total liabilities 251,140 237,580
Shareholders' equity 67,920 72,200
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Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $ 319,060 $ 309,780
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Cheviot Financial Corp.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Total interest income $ 4,522 $ 4,358 $17,791 $16,509
Total interest expense 2,469 2,222 9,499 7,782
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Net interest income 2,053 2,136 8,292 8,727
Provision for losses
on loans 101 25 116 25
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Net interest income
after provision for
losses on loans 1,952 2,111 8,176 8,702
Other income 134 139 545 538
General, administrative
and other expense 1,833 1,698 7,367 6,770
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Earnings before
federal income taxes 253 552 1,354 2,470
Federal income taxes 80 160 428 774
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NET EARNINGS $ 173 $ 392 $ 926 $ 1,696
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Earnings per share -
basic and diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.10 $ 0.18
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