American Bank Reports Record Earnings, Assets Exceed $320 Million

CONTACT: Mark W. Jaindl, President and Chief Executive Officer
Allentown, PA, July 16, 2001

American Bank (OTCBB: ABKA), serving the Lehigh Valley community and recognized as a leading provider of Internet banking and financial services nationwide, today announced earnings for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2001. Net income for the quarter was $300,900, or $.07 per diluted share, an increase of $215,300 from the same period in the prior year. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2001 was $560,200, or $.13 per diluted share, an increase of $432,300 from the same period in the prior year. The increases are primarily attributable to an increase of $146.7 million in earning assets.

President and CEO Mark Jaindl stated, “During the first half of 2001, the assets at American Bank increased by 31.5%, to $321.2 million, while the quality of our loan portfolio remained strong with no non-performing assets at June 30, 2001. In addition, we continue to add to our customer base, with total customers increasing by more than 20% during the first six months of the year.” With customers in all 50 states, American Bank continues to develop banking relationships across the nation through its Internet banking solution, pcbanker.com.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2001, American Bank’s operating expense to asset ratio declined to 1.58% from 2.29% for the same period in 2000. American Bank’s efficiency ratio improved to 76.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2001 compared to 80.99% for the same period in the prior year.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Frederick Jaindl stated, “The progress of American Bank during the first half of 2001 has been positive and we look forward to our continued development and growth. We remain committed to serving our customers through the improvement of our products and services while maintaining a focus on enhancing shareholder value.”

American Bank common stock last traded at $11.95 per share and the American Bank warrants last traded at $3.50 per warrant. American Bank warrants are exercisable at $10.00 per share through June 30, 2003.


About American Bank

American Bank is a locally-owned community bank based in Allentown, PA. American Bank is recognized as a 5-Star Superior rated financial institution (the highest rating possible) by Bauer Financial Inc., designating it as one of the strongest banks in the nation as well as being named one of the safest banks in the nation by MSN Money. American Bank was ranked #1 by the Morning Call’s Top Workplaces in the Lehigh Valley and has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania.

American Bank offers a complete selection of banking products and services to suit the needs of consumers and businesses and includes checking, money market, savings, certificates of deposit, consumer and commercial loans and Visa credit cards. Dedicated to providing customers superior, personalized customer service, American Bank also offers some of the best loan and deposit rates available and as a result, for the past 12 years, has received the Bankrate.com® Top Tier award for consistently offering annual percentage yields (APYs) that were among the highest reported. Their online banking service, AmericanBank Online, which is accessible from the Bank’s website at AMBK.com, allows customers to bank conveniently and delivers a full range of real-time online banking services free of charge including online bill payment and presentment, ACH Direct, transfers between accounts, transaction history, check images and e-Statements. In addition, both consumer and business customers can bank on the go using mobile banking which includes mobile deposit. American Bank is FDIC insured and is an Equal Housing Lender.

AmericanBank Online is a registered trade mark for the Internet financial services provided by American Bank, a state-chartered, FDIC-insured, full-service financial institution serving customers throughout the United States. American Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System.


"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this press release regarding American Bank's business which are not historical facts, including expectations regarding future financial results, are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.