Lincoln Bancorp Announces Second Quarter Results


PLAINFIELD, Ind., July 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Bancorp (Nasdaq:LNCB) (the "Company"), the holding company of Lincoln Bank (the "Bank"), announced today that net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 was $803,000, or $.16 for basic and $.15 for diluted earnings per share. This compared to net income for the second quarter in 2006 of $786,000, or $.16 for basic and $.15 for diluted earnings per share. As disclosed as part of our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the bank began a balance sheet restructuring in late March 2007. This restructuring continues the transformation of the Bank from a traditional thrift to a full service commercial bank. This transformation was initiated in 2004 with the acquisition of First Shares Bancorp followed by our charter conversion to a commercial bank in late 2006. Losses recognized in the first quarter associated with marking the assets to market when they were identified as held for sale totaled $1.07 million after tax. Due to market fluctuations the actual loss incurred when these assets were sold in the second quarter was less than the loss estimated at March 31, 2007. This resulted in a positive after-tax effect on our second quarter, ended June 30, 2007 of $164,000 or $.03 for both basic and diluted earnings per share.

Net income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 was $378,000 or $.07 for both basic and diluted earnings per share. As noted above, during the first quarter of 2007, the Bank began a strategy to restructure its balance sheet and, as a result, incurred a first quarter after-tax loss. The total year-to-date effect of the restructuring was a net loss of $909,000, or $.18 for both basic and diluted earnings per share.

Assets totaled $899.0 million at June 30, 2007, an increase from December 31, 2006 of $15.4 million. The increase in assets occurred in cash and cash equivalents, up $11.0 million and investment securities available for sale, up $26.0 million. Loan growth was experienced in commercial loans, up $32.0 million while all other major categories of loans declined from year end balances. Residential real estate mortgages declined $52.0 million from a combination of the balance sheet restructuring in the first quarter and the continued sale of the majority of our residential mortgage loan production in the secondary market. As part of the restructuring, we securitized $37.3 million of residential mortgages and sold the resulting securities. The majority of this cash was used to purchase securities for our investment portfolio at yields greater than the loans in the restructuring. A portion of the cash was used to fund commercial loan growth. Cash flow from these securities will be used to fund future commercial loan growth.

Total deposits were $699.5 million at June 30, 2007, an increase of $43.8 million since December 31, 2006. Growth occurred in nearly every category of deposits with noninterest-bearing deposits up $7.3 million, interest-bearing demand deposits up $3.2 million, money market deposits up $13.7 million and certificates of deposit, up $27.9 million. The growth occurred as customers shifted funds into our higher competitively priced money market accounts and shorter term certificate of deposit specials. This resulted in an $8.1 million decline in savings deposits. Borrowed funds declined by $26.6 million from year end 2006 to $77.1 million at June 30. The increased deposit growth provided an opportunity to repay some of our Federal Home Loan Bank debt.

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2007 was $5,337,000 compared to $5,727,000 for the same period in 2006. Net interest margin was 2.57% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 compared to 2.81% for the same period in 2006. The average yield on earning assets increased 21 basis points in the second quarter 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 48 basis points for the same period. This decreased the interest rate spread from 2.37% at June 30, 2006 to 2.10% at June 30, 2007, or 27 basis points.

Net interest income year-to-date through June 30, 2007 was $10,697,000 compared to $11,320,000 for the similar period in 2006. The reduction in net interest income has been the result of lower spreads between the interest earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities as competition continues for deposits and loans. Maturing low-rate longer term certificates of deposit are shifting to shorter terms with higher rates as a result of the relatively flat interest rate curve. This has caused a considerable increase in the cost of deposits. The interest spread for the six month period ended June 30, 2007, declined to 2.12% compared to 2.39% for the same period in 2006. Net interest margin was 2.58% during the first six month period in 2007 compared to 2.81% during the same period in 2006.

The Bank's provision for loan losses for the second quarter of 2007 was $100,000 compared to $267,000 for the same period in 2006. Nonperforming loans to total loans at June 30, 2007 increased slightly to .44% from .38% at December 31, 2006. Nonperforming assets to total assets were .33% at June 30, 2007 compared to .31% at December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans was 1.02% at June 30, 2007 and .96% at December 31, 2006. During the second quarter of 2007, the Bank recognized $83,000 in net charged-off loans compared to $91,000 net charge-offs in the second quarter of 2006. Year-to-date net charge-offs for 2007 totaled $190,000.

Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2007 was $1,884,000 compared to $1,305,000 for the same quarter of 2006. Other income for the quarter included a net $268,000 of income related to the balance sheet restructuring discussed above. This is reflected in the following categories: $(456,000) in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on loans held for sale; $366,000 in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on securities; and, $358,000 of gain on sale of a forward commitment that was recorded in other income. Service charges on deposit accounts and point of sale income continue to increase as a result of increased numbers of checking accounts. Our premium checking account program has nearly doubled our new account openings.

Other income for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 was $1,704,000 compared to $2,503,000 for the same period in 2006. During the first quarter of 2007, the Bank announced a planned restructuring of its balance sheet and recorded a $1,327,000 loss on the mark to market of the loans identified as held for sale in the restructuring and a loss of $419,000 on the mark to market of the securities transferred to trading securities. Including the second quarter portion of the restructuring discussed above, the total charge to other income for the restructuring was $1,478,000. Excluding the items related to the restructuring, other income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 would have been $3,182,000 compared to $2,503,000 for the same period in 2006.

Other expenses were $6,195,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $5,709,000 for the same three months of 2006. The largest increase was in salaries and employee benefits totaling $3,069,000 for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $2,834,000 during the same quarter of 2006, an increase of $235,000. The primary reason for the increase was an increase in higher compensated commissioned sales staff. We have been able to realign some staffing positions and have reduced full-time equivalent employees from 235 at the end of the second quarter of 2006 to 229 at June 30, 2007. We incurred additional increases in other expenses during the second quarter of 2007 when compared to the same quarter in 2006 in the following categories. Occupancy expenses were up $101,000 to $592,000 primarily as a result of increased real estate taxes on all our facilities. Also, additional costs were incurred from adding our loan production office on the north side of Indianapolis during the second quarter of 2006 and our newest branch location on Emerson Avenue in Greenwood opened during the second quarter of this year. Data processing expense increased $108,000 to $674,000 as a result of an increase in the number of new deposit accounts and increased activity in the use of our debit and ATM cards. Advertising and business development increased $110,000 to $297,000 to support expanded marketing for our new checking products and our efforts to increase core deposit relationships through direct marketing.

Other expenses for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 were $12,132,000, an increase of $842,000 over the same period in 2006. Most of the increase was in salaries and employee benefit costs and advertising and business development for essentially the same reasons mentioned for the quarter and described above.

The book value of Lincoln Bancorp common stock was $18.32 per share at June 30, 2007 compared to $18.63 at December 31, 2006. Book value dropped slightly as a result of the losses taken for the restructuring of the balance sheet.

Lincoln Bancorp and Lincoln Bank are headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana with additional offices in Avon, Bargersville, Brownsburg, Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Franklin, Greenwood, Mooresville, Morgantown, Nashville and Trafalgar.

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which involve significant risks and uncertainties. The companies intend such forward-looking statements to be covered in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. The companies' ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and involves a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which have been set forth in the companies' most recent annual reports on Form 10-K, which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. The fact that there are various risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.



                           LINCOLN BANCORP
           SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
                             (Unaudited)
            (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

                                               June 30    December 31
                                                 2007        2006
                                              ----------  ----------
 Balance Sheet Data:
  Total assets                                $  898,953  $  883,543
  Loans, net (including loans held for sale)     608,091     632,996
  Cash and cash equivalents                       29,367      18,409
  Investment securities available for sale       177,249     151,237
  Deposits                                       699,488     655,664
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements     15,674      16,864
  Borrowings                                      77,051     103,608
  Stockholders' equity                            98,068      99,300

  Book value per common share                 $    18.32  $    18.63
  Shares outstanding                           5,353,481   5,329,687
  Equity to assets                                 10.91%      11.24%
  Non-performing assets to total assets             0.33%       0.31%
  Non-performing loans to total loans               0.44%       0.38%
  Allowance for loan losses to total loans          1.02%       0.96%


                               Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                    June 30             June 30
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
 Operating Data:
  Interest and Dividend Income:
   Loans receivable, including
    fees                       $ 11,019  $ 10,367  $ 21,969  $ 20,103
   Investment securities          2,246     2,135     4,221     4,059
   Deposits with financial
    institutions                    131       136       316       344
                               
   Dividend income                   88       140       203       276
                               --------  --------  --------  --------                         
    Total interest and
     dividend income             13,484    12,778    26,709    24,782
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Interest Expense:
   Deposits                       6,827     5,680    13,513    10,714
   Borrowings                     1,320     1,371     2,499     2,748
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total interest expense        8,147     7,051    16,012    13,462
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Interest Income             5,337     5,727    10,697    11,320
   Provision for loan losses        100       267       307       502
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Interest Income After
   Provision for Loan Losses      5,237     5,460    10,390    10,818
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Other Income:
   Service charges on deposit
    accounts                        644       554     1,186     1,042
   Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss) on loans held
    for sale                       (167)       67    (1,173)      122
   Net realized gain (loss) on
    securities                      366        --       (53)        4
   Point of sale income             234       183       428       350
   Loan servicing fees               75        86       152       176
   Increase in cash value of
    life insurance                  211       165       423       327
   Other income                     521       250       741       482
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total other income            1,884     1,305     1,704     2,503
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Other Expenses:
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                      3,069     2,834     6,165     5,646
   Net occupancy expenses           592       491     1,137     1,026
   Equipment expenses               419       384       845       756
   Data processing expense          674       566     1,206     1,198
   Professional fees                177       210       321       436
   Advertising and business
    development                     297       187       579       339
   Core deposit intangible
    amortization                    137       162       274       324
   Other expenses                   830       875     1,605     1,565
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total other expenses          6,195     5,709    12,132    11,290
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income Before Income Taxes        926     1,056       (38)    2,031
  Income tax expense (benefit)      123       270      (416)      466
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Income                   $    803  $    786  $    378  $  1,565
                               ========  ========  ========  ========

  Basic Earnings Per Share     $   0.16  $   0.16  $   0.07  $   0.31
                               ========  ========  ========  ========
  Diluted Earnings Per Share   $   0.15  $   0.15  $   0.07  $   0.30
                               ========  ========  ========  ========

 Other Data:
   Interest rate spread            2.10%     2.37%     2.12%     2.39%
   Net interest margin             2.57%     2.81%     2.58%     2.81%
   Return on average assets        0.36%     0.36%     0.08%     0.36%
   Return on average equity        3.24%     3.15%     0.76%     3.12%

            

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