First Savings Financial Group, Inc. Reports 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results


CLARKSVILLE, Ind., May 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Savings Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSFG) (the "Company"), the holding company for First Savings Bank, F.S.B. (the "Bank"), today reported net income of $275,000, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to net loss of $532,000 for the same period in 2008.

On October 6, 2008, the Company completed its initial public offering in connection with the Bank's conversion from the mutual to stock form of organization. Accordingly, the reported results for 2008 and prior periods relate solely to the operations of the Bank.

Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $1.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Interest income increased $4,000 when comparing the two periods as the average tax-equivalent yield of interest-earning assets decreased from 6.38% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 to 5.82% for 2009, which nearly offset an increase in the average balance of earning assets from $194.9 million in 2008 to $215.0 million in 2009. Interest expense decreased $480,000 when comparing the two periods as the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 3.59% to 2.52% and the average balance of those liabilities decreased from $173.4 million in 2008 to $170.7 million in 2009. The provision for loan losses decreased $1.0 million from $1.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 to $69,000 for the same period in 2009. The primary factor that contributed to the significant provision for loan losses for 2008 was the diminished repayment ability of a large borrower whose loans were secured by non-owner occupied, single-family residential real estate whose condition and market value deteriorated significantly since the origination of the loans. The provision for this particular lending relationship amounted to approximately $881,000 and was recorded in March 2008.

Noninterest income decreased $16,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease was comprised of a decrease in other income of $38,000 which primarily represented a one-time gain on the sale of Visa, Inc. stock during the 2008 period, offset by an increase in service charges on deposit accounts of $7,000 and the increase in cash surrender value of life insurance was $14,000 higher when comparing the two periods.

Noninterest expenses increased $241,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Compensation and benefits expense increased $164,000 primarily due to $158,000 in ESOP compensation expense, as well as increased staffing and normal salary increases. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $38,000 primarily due to increased depreciation expense and repairs and maintenance expense. Other operating expenses increased $36,000 primarily due to increased officer and employee training expenditures, and increased other operating expenses.

The Company recognized tax expense of $69,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to a tax benefit of $391,000 for the same period in 2008.

For the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Company had a net loss of $365,000, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $348,000 for the same period in 2008.

Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased $1.8 million for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Interest income increased $3,000 when comparing the two periods as the average tax-equivalent yield of interest-earning assets decreased from 6.59% to 5.94%, which nearly offset an increase in the average balance of earning assets from $192.1 million in 2008 to $213.9 million in 2009. Interest expense decreased $731,000 as the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 3.65% to 2.79% when comparing the two periods while the average balances of those liabilities were comparable for the periods. The provision for loan losses decreased $1.1 million from $1.2 million for the six-month period ended March 31, 2008 to $128,000 for the same period in 2009. As discussed above, a significant provision for loan losses was recorded in 2008 for a single large borrower.

Noninterest income increased $36,000 for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $26,000 and the increase in cash surrender value of life insurance was $44,000 higher when comparing the two periods, offset by a decrease in other income of $31,000 primarily due to the one-time gain on the sale of stock during 2008 discussed above.

Noninterest expenses increased $1.9 million for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. Charitable contributions increased $1.2 million when comparing the two periods primarily as a result of the $1.2 million one-time contribution to First Savings Charitable Foundation which was organized in connection with, and funded upon completion of, the Company's initial public offering. The contribution consisted of $100,000 cash and 110,000 shares of Company common stock (issued at $10.00 per share). Compensation and benefits expense increased $373,000 primarily due to $158,000 in ESOP compensation expense, as well as a reduction of $201,000 in compensation and benefits costs deferred in connection with loan originations. Professional fees increased $76,000 primarily due to operation as a public company and other fees related to the organization and operation of the Bank's investment subsidiary organized in October 2008. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $70,000 primarily due to increased depreciation, utilities, and repairs and maintenance expense. Other operating expenses increased $212,000 primarily due to increased officer and employee training expenditures, director fees, fees related to the curtailment and termination of the Bank's defined benefit pension plan, ESOP plan administration fees and increased other operating expenses.

The Company recognized a tax benefit of $340,000 for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009 as compared to a tax benefit of $299,000 for the same period in 2008.

Total assets as of March 31, 2009 were $236.8 million compared to $228.9 million at September 30, 2008. Investment securities increased $18.4 million and net loans increased $5.1 million, while cash and cash equivalents decreased $14.9 million due primarily to the investment of the stock conversion proceeds which were held on deposit at September 30, 2008. Nonperforming assets increased $1.2 million which represents increases in nonaccrual loans of $1.7 million and foreclosed real estate and other repossessed assets of $250,000, offset by a decrease in accruing loans past due over ninety days of $694,000. The nonaccrual loans primarily consist of loans secured by fully-completed speculative construction properties listed for sale and non-owner occupied, one-to-four family residential investment properties.

Deposits decreased $20.1 million from September 30, 2008 to March 31, 2009 due primarily to the elimination of funds on deposit for the stock conversion subscription orders and attrition of certificates of deposits that were replaced by lower-cost Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) advances. Advances from the FHLBI increased $6.5 million as the Bank borrowed fixed and variable rate advances in order to replace deposit attrition and fund securities and loan growth.

Stockholders' equity increased $22.2 million from $29.7 million at September 30, 2008 to $51.9 million at March 31, 2009. The increase is due primarily to the net proceeds from the Company's initial public offering of $22.4 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income increased $156,000 due to net unrealized gains on available for sale securities for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009. These increases were offset by the net loss of $365,000 for the six-month period ended March 31, 2009.

First Savings Bank, FSB currently has seven offices in the Indiana communities of Clarksville, Jeffersonville, Charlestown, Sellersburg, Floyds Knobs and Georgetown. Access to First Savings Bank accounts, including online banking and electronic bill payments, is available anywhere with Internet access through the Bank's website at www.fsbbank.net.

The First Savings Financial Group, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6010

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are not historical facts; rather, they are statements based on the Company's current expectations regarding its business strategies and their intended results and its future performance. Forward-looking statements are preceded by terms such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Numerous risks and uncertainties could cause or contribute to the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to these differences include, without limitation, general economic conditions, including changes in market interest rates and changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors disclosed periodically in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them, whether included in this report or made elsewhere from time to time by the Company or on its behalf. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.



         FIRST SAVINGS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                              (Unaudited)

                           Six Months Ended       Three Months Ended
                               March 31,                March 31,
                        ----------------------  ----------------------
                           2009        2008        2009        2008
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 OPERATING DATA:
 (Dollars in thousands,
  except per share data)

 Total interest
  income                $    6,304  $    6,301  $    3,098  $    3,094
 Total interest
  expense                    2,365       3,096       1,076       1,556
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Net interest income         3,939       3,205       2,022       1,538
 Provision for loan
  losses                       128       1,203          69       1,109
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Net interest income
  after provision
  for loan losses            3,811       2,002       1,953         429

 Total noninterest
  income                       535         499         253         269
 Total noninterest
  expense                    5,051       3,148       1,862       1,621
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Income (loss)
  before income
  taxes                       (705)       (647)        344        (923)
 Income tax expense
  (benefit)                   (340)       (299)         69        (391)
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Net Income (Loss)      $     (365) $     (348) $      275  $     (532)
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Net Income (Loss)
  per share, basic           (0.16)        n/a        0.12         n/a
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
 Weighted average
  common shares
  outstanding, basic     2,268,387         n/a   2,352,247         n/a


 Net Income (Loss)
  per share, diluted         (0.16)        n/a        0.12         n/a
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Weighted average
  common shares
  outstanding,
  diluted                2,268,387         n/a   2,352,247         n/a

 Performance ratios
  (three-month data
  annualized):
  Return on average
   assets                    -0.32%      -0.34%       0.48%      -1.01%
  Return on average
   equity                    -1.43%      -2.36%       2.12%      -7.15%
  Interest rate
   spread                     3.15%       2.94%       3.30%       2.79%
  Net interest
   margin                     3.73%       3.37%       3.82%       3.19%





                         March 31,   Sept. 30,
                           2009        2008
                        ----------  ----------

 FINANCIAL CONDITION
  DATA:
 (Dollars in thousands)

 Total assets            $ 236,839   $ 228,924
 Cash and cash
  equivalents                6,452      21,379
 Investment
  securities                37,578      19,153
 Gross loans               181,519     176,536
 Allowance for loan
  losses                     1,635       1,729
 Earning assets            220,597     211,297
 Deposits                  169,062     189,209
 FHLB debt                  14,500       8,000
 Total liabilities         184,904     199,204
 Stockholders'
  equity                    51,935      29,720

 Non-performing assets:
  Nonaccrual loans           2,480         798
  Accruing loans
   past due 90 days            159         853
  Foreclosed real
   estate                      736         390
  Other
   nonperforming
   assets                       50         146

 Asset quality ratios:
  Allowance for loan
   losses as a
   percent of total
   gross loans                0.90%       0.98%
  Allowance for loan
   losses as a
   percent of
   nonperforming
   loans                     61.96%     104.72%
  Nonperforming
   loans as a
   percent of total
   loans                      1.45%       0.94%
  Nonperforming
   assets as a
   percent of total
   assets                     1.45%       0.96%


            

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