Lincoln Bancorp Announces Third Quarter Results


PLAINFIELD, Ind., Oct. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Bancorp (Nasdaq:LNCB) (the "Company"), the holding company of Lincoln Bank (the "Bank"), announced today that net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 was $521,000, or $.10 for both basic and diluted earnings per share. This compared to net income for the third quarter in 2006 of $840,000, or $.17 for basic and $.16 for diluted earnings per share.

Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007 was $899,000 or $.18 for basic and $.17 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 continued 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. Some of these assets recovered a portion of their value after March 31, 2007 resulting in a smaller actual loss incurred in the second quarter when these assets were sold. 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. 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 $896.9 million at September 30, 2007, an increase from December 31, 2006 of $13.3 million. The increase in assets occurred in net loans, up $5.3 million and investment securities available for sale, up $6.8 million. Loan growth was experienced in commercial loans, up $63.0 million while residential real estate mortgages declined $49.8 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. Other major categories of loans declined from year end balances with the exception of home equity lines which were up slightly from year end 2006.

Total deposits were $685.6 million at September 30, 2007, an increase of $30.0 million since December 31, 2006. The primary changes in deposit growth occurred in interest-bearing demand deposits up $3.7 million, money market deposits up $14.3 million and certificates of deposit, up $25.5 million. The largest growth occurred as customers shifted funds into our higher competitively priced money market accounts and shorter term certificate of deposit specials. This resulted in a $12.4 million decline in savings deposits. Borrowings declined by $16.4 million from year end 2006 to $87.2 million at September 30. The increased deposit growth provided an opportunity to repay some of our Federal Home Loan Bank debt.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2007 was $5,501,000 compared to $5,530,000 for the same period in 2006. Net interest margin was 2.69% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2007 compared to 2.70% for the same period in 2006. The average yield on earning assets increased 26 basis points in the third quarter 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 27 basis points for the same period. This decreased the interest rate spread from 2.23% for the period ended September 30, 2006 to 2.22% for the same period ended September 30, 2007 or only 1 basis point.

Net interest income year-to-date through September 30, 2007 was $16,198,000 compared to $16,850,000 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 shift has caused a considerable increase in the average cost of deposits. The interest spread for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, declined to 2.15% compared to 2.33% for the same period in 2006. Net interest margin was 2.62% during the first nine month period in 2007 compared to 2.77% during the same period in 2006.

The Bank's provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2007 was $150,000 compared to $120,000 for the same period in 2006. Nonperforming loans to total loans at September 30, 2007 increased slightly to .43% from .38% at December 31, 2006. Nonperforming assets to total assets were .33% at September 30, 2007 and .31% at December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans was .97% at September 30, 2007 and .96% at December 31, 2006. During the third quarter of 2007, the Bank recognized $114,000 in net charged-off loans compared to $17,000 of net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2006. Year-to-date net charge-offs for 2007 totaled $304,000 compared to $330,000 for the same period in 2006.

Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $1,577,000 compared to $1,426,000 for the same quarter of 2006. 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 nine month period ended September 30, 2007 was $3,281,000 compared to $3,929,000 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 through September 30, 2007 for the restructuring was $1,478,000. Excluding the items related to the restructuring, other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 would have been $4,759,000 compared to $3,929,000 for the same period in 2006. We are seeing the effects from our consumer checking account campaign as service charges on deposit accounts have increased from $1,600,000 to $1,807,000 or $207,000 during the first nine months of 2007 compared to 2006. These new accounts also added point of sale income from debit card usage with an increase from $533,000 in 2006 to $666,000 in 2007 or $133,000. An increase of $141,000 was recognized in cash value of life insurance from 2006 to 2007 as a result of additional insurance being purchased in the fourth quarter of 2006 as well as increased yields on the variable rate policies.

Other expenses were $6,331,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $5,729,000 for the same three months of 2006. The largest increases were in net occupancy expenses and data processing expenses totaling $632,000 and $698,000, respectively, for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $492,000 and $539,000, respectively, during the same quarter of 2006, an increase of $140,000 and $159,000, respectively. The primary reasons for the increase in occupancy expenses were due to a $75,000 increase in real estate taxes due to large rate increases and additional rental expense as the result of leased land for our new branch on Emerson Avenue added during the second quarter of 2007. The increase in data processing costs was the result of added services, an increase in the number of new deposit accounts and increased activity in the use of our debit and ATM cards.

Other expenses for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 were $18,463,000, an increase of $1,444,000 over the same period in 2006. Most of the increase was in salaries and employee benefit costs, up $581,000; net occupancy expenses, up $251,000; and advertising and business development, up $282,000. Expansion of a loan production office on the north side of Indianapolis, expanded utilization of incentive compensation for loan production throughout the Bank and normal incremental salary increases were the primary reasons for the increase in salaries and employee benefit costs. The loan production office, a new branch on the south side of Indianapolis plus increased real estate taxes were primarily reasons for net occupancy cost increases. Advertising and business development cost increases were directly the result of our efforts to expand marketing for our new checking products and our efforts to increase core deposit relationships through direct marketing.

The book value of Lincoln Bancorp common stock was $18.39 per share at September 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 in the first and second quarters of 2007.

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. The Bank also has 2 loan production offices located in Carmel and Greenwood, Indiana.

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)

                                            September 30   December 31
                                                2007           2006
                                            ------------   -----------
 Balance Sheet Data:
  Total assets                               $   896,832   $   883,543
  Loans, net (including loans held for
   sale)                                         638,293       632,996
  Cash and cash equivalents                       16,076        18,409
  Investment securities available for sale       158,072       151,237
  Deposits                                       685,644       655,664
  Securities sold under repurchase
   agreements                                     15,494        16,864
  Borrowings                                      87,207       103,608
  Stockholders' equity                            98,659        99,300

  Book value per common share                $     18.39   $     18.63
  Shares outstanding                           5,363,821     5,329,687
  Equity to assets                                 11.00%       11.24%
  Non-performing assets to total assets             0.33%        0.31%
  Non-performing loans to total loans               0.43%        0.38%
  Allowance for loan losses to total loans          0.97%        0.96%

                               Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30        September 30
                                 2007      2006      2007      2006
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
 Operating Data:
  Interest Income:
   Loans                       $ 11,083  $ 10,831  $ 33,052  $ 30,934
   Investment securities          2,372     2,129     6,593     6,189
   Deposits with financial
    institutions                     47        58       363       401
   Dividend income                   99        94       302       370
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total interest income        13,601    13,112    40,310    37,894
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Interest Expense:
   Deposits                       6,953     6,274    20,466    16,988
   Borrowings                     1,147     1,308     3,646     4,056
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total interest expense        8,100     7,582    24,112    21,044
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Interest Income             5,501     5,530    16,198    16,850
   Provision for loan losses        150       120       457       622
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net Interest Income After
   Provision for Loan Losses      5,351     5,410    15,741    16,228
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Other Income:
   Service charges on deposit
    accounts                        621       559     1,807     1,600
   Net gains (losses) on sales
    of loans including
    unrealized gains (losses)       217       179      (956)      301
   Net realized and unrealized
    gains (losses) on sale of
    available for sale and
    trading securities               14        --       (39)        4
   Point of sale income             238       183       666       533
   Loan servicing fees               98        81       250       257
   Increase in cash value of
    life insurance                  213       169       636       495
   Other                            176       255       917       739
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total other income            1,577     1,426     3,281     3,929
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Other Expenses:
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                      3,009     2,947     9,174     8,593
   Net occupancy expenses           632       492     1,769     1,518
   Equipment expenses               420       369     1,265     1,125
   Data processing expense          698       539     1,904     1,737
   Professional fees                329       268       650       704
   Advertising and business
    development                     300       257       878       596
   Core deposit intangible
    amortization                    126       146       401       470
   Other                            817       711     2,422     2,276
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total other expenses          6,331     5,729    18,463    17,019
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before income taxes        597     1,107       559     3,138
  Income taxes                       76       267      (340)      733
                               --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income                   $    521  $    840  $    899  $  2,405
                               ========  ========  ========  ========

  Basic earnings per share     $   0.10  $   0.17  $   0.18  $   0.48
                               ========  ========  ========  ========
  Diluted earnings per share   $   0.10  $   0.16  $   0.17  $   0.47
                               ========  ========  ========  ========

 Other Data:
  Interest rate spread             2.22%     2.23%     2.15%     2.33%
  Net interest margin              2.69%     2.70%     2.62%     2.77%
  Return on average assets         0.23%     0.38%     0.13%     0.37%
  Return on average equity         2.11%     3.36%     1.21%     3.20%

            

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