CONTACT: Mark W. Jaindl, President and Chief Executive Officer
Allentown, PA, October 18, 2007
American Bank Incorporated (OTC BB: AMBK.OB), the parent company of American Bank, today announced earnings for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007. Net income for the quarter was $651,000, or $0.11 per diluted share, a decrease of $83,000 from $734,000, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net income for the quarter was the result of an increase in the provision for loan losses of $129,000 and an increase in operating expense of $85,000. The increase in the provision for loan losses related to an increase in loan growth during the quarter, as the quality of American Bank’s loan portfolio remains strong with non-performing loans comprising approximately $65,000 or 0.01% of total assets. The increase in operating expense for the quarter was attributable to an increase of $42,000 in salary and benefit costs and $48,000 in federal deposit insurance premiums. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation began assessing insurance premiums in January of 2007.
Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was $2.5 million, an increase of $72,000 from the prior year quarter ended September 30, 2006. The increase in net interest income was a result of the improvement in the Company’s net interest margin to 2.07% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 from 1.90% for the same quarter in the prior year.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $3.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, an increase of $1.2 million, from $2.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in net income was primarily the result of after-tax gains on available for sale securities of $1.6 million, partially off-set by an increase in operating expense of $400,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase in operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 results from an increase of $197,000 in salary and benefit costs, $115,000 in legal and other professional fees associated with the Company’s deregistration and $135,000 in federal deposit insurance premiums.
On September 18, 2007, the Board of Directors of American Bank, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock and $0.05 per share of series A preferred stock to shareholders of record on October 1, 2007 and payable on October 14, 2007.
American Bank, Inc. common stock (AMBK.OB) last traded at $8.50 per share. American Bank, Inc. series A preferred stock (AMBKO.OB) is listed on the OTC BB but has not traded to date. American Capital Trust I Preferred Securities (AMBKP.OB) last traded at $9.00.
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.