DNB Financial Corporation Announces 2012 First Quarter Earnings

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa., April 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DNB Financial Corporation ("DNB") (Nasdaq:DNBF), parent of DNB First, National Association, the oldest national bank in the greater Philadelphia region, reported an 8.57% increase in net income for the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $1.1 million compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2011. Earnings per common share for the first quarter of 2012 were $0.36 on a fully diluted basis compared to $0.32 for the same period in 2011.

During the quarter DNB was once again named to the prestigious Bank Honor Roll by the investment bank Keefe, Bruyette and Woods (KBW). DNB is one of only 45 banks named to the Bank Honor Roll out of nearly 400 banks screened nationally by KBW. In addition, DNB was one of just 28 banks and thrifts to receive this recognition two years in a row.

Honor Roll winners are recognized for their strong performance over the past 10 years and their ability to overcome obstacles and navigate difficult economic times. The Honor Roll only includes publicly traded banking companies with more than $500 million in total assets that meet the following conditions: 

• No annual loss reported in net income per share before extraordinary items over the past 10 years.
• 2011 annual reported net income per-share before extraordinary items must have been equal to or greater than peak net income per-share over the past 10 years.
• Consecutive increases in net income per-share before extraordinary items since 2009.

William S. Latoff, Chairman and CEO said, "As we have said before, successful businesses continue to be successful even in difficult times. We are proud to be included in the Keefe, Bruyette and Woods Honor Roll, once again joining the ranks of superior banks in the nation. Our continued strong results in the first quarter and the recognition by KBW validate our efforts and our commitment to building relationships and helping communities prosper."

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, net interest income rose to $5.4 million compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2011, primarily due to lower rates on liabilities. The net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 3.75%, a 14 basis point increase over the same period in 2011.

Loans grew $6.0 million or 1.47% at March 31, 2012 compared to December 31, 2011 and assets grew $17.9 million or 2.94%. Deposits increased by $17.5 million or 3.52% to $515.1 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $497.5 million at December 31, 2011. Core deposits, i.e., demand deposits, money market accounts, NOW and savings accounts increased $19.3 million in aggregate or 4.91%, while time deposits declined $1.8 million or 1.66%. DNB's composite cost of funds for the first quarter of 2012 dropped 20 basis points to 0.73% compared to 0.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Capital remained strong at the end of the first quarter of 2012, as DNB's tier 1 leverage ratio stood at 10.32%, while its total risk-based capital ratio stood at 15.17%. Management believes that these levels of capital are appropriate for current market conditions. Stockholders' equity increased $1.4 million to $52.4 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $51.0 million at December 31, 2011, reflecting solid earnings growth.

Positive trends were observed for the three months ended March 31, 2012 in two key business lines that make up total non-interest income. Service charges on deposits increased 23.35% and fees from the sale of wealth management services and products increased 12.00% when compared to the same period in 2011. Overall however, non-interest income declined $55,000 or 5.73% to $905,000, due primarily to gains on the sale of SBA loans recognized in 2011. Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 showed a modest increase of 1.07% or $46,000, compared to the same period in 2011, reflecting increases in staffing and marketing costs offset by lower occupancy and FDIC insurance costs.

The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 1.79% at March 31, 2012, down from 1.89% at December 31, 2011 and 1.95% at September 30, 2011. During the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, DNB provided $425,000 and $426,000 respectively, for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses was $6.1 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $6.2 million at December 31, 2011. DNB's coverage ratio, defined as the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of non-performing loans, increased to 83.80%, compared to December 31, 2011's ratio of 80.66%.

On April 3, 2012 DNB announced that its bank subsidiary, DNB First, National Association signed an agreement to acquire a branch located in Boothwyn, PA from Capital Bank of Rockville, MD. Under the terms of the Agreement DNB First will purchase all of the deposits, real property and certain other assets at that location. This acquisition will expand DNB's presence in Delaware County and bring DNB's proven array of products and services to a new community. DNB is well positioned to continue its success by maintaining and growing its market share in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Chairman Latoff concluded, "During the quarter we increased our common dividend, received honors from a firm that is widely recognized as a leading authority in the banking industry, and completed negotiations on an acquisition that will compliment our existing customer base and is contiguous to DNB's branch network. It is our continued strong earnings and capital that has positioned DNB for the future and made all of this possible. We continue to seek opportunities to grow, while remaining a financially sound institution from which our shareholders, customers, employees and communities can benefit."

DNB Financial Corporation is a bank holding company whose bank subsidiary, DNB First, National Association, is a community bank headquartered in Downingtown, Pennsylvania with 12 locations. Founded in 1860, DNB First in addition to providing a broad array of consumer and business banking products, offers brokerage and insurance services through DNB Investments & Insurance, and investment management services through DNB Investment Management & Trust. DNB Financial Corporation's shares are traded on Nasdaq's Capital Market under the symbol: DNBF. We invite our customers and shareholders to visit our website at http://www.dnbfirst.com. DNB's Investor Relations site can be found at http://investor.dnbfirst.com/.

DNB Financial Corporation (the "Corporation"), may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements," including statements contained in the Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including this press release), in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Corporation, which are made in good faith by the Corporation pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The DNB Financial Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5968

These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Corporation's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Corporation's control).  The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The following factors, among others, could cause the Corporation's financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Corporation conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; the recent downgrade, and any future downgrades, in the credit rating of the U.S. Government and federal agencies; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of and acceptance of new products and services of the Corporation and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users, including the features, pricing and quality compared to competitors' products and services; the willingness of users to substitute competitors' products and services for the Corporation's products and services; the success of the Corporation in gaining regulatory approval of its products and services, when required; the impact of changes in laws and regulations applicable to financial institutions (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); technological changes; acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; the nature, extent, and timing of governmental actions and reforms, including the rules of participation for the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF), a U.S. Treasury Department program; and the success of the Corporation at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The Corporation cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.  Readers are also cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Corporation on its website or otherwise.  The Corporation does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Corporation to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

For a complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to our business, you are encouraged to review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as any changes in risk factors that we may identify in our quarterly or other reports filed with the SEC.