GASTONIA, N.C., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Citizens South Banking Corporation (Nasdaq: CSBC), the parent company for Citizens South Bank, reported a net loss available to common stockholders of $528,000, or ($0.05) per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, compared to a loss of $759,000, or ($0.10) per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported net income available to common stockholders of $9.6 million, or $1.04 per common share, compared to a loss of $501,000, or ($0.07) per common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

President Kim S. Price stated, "While we are experiencing some improving asset quality metrics, we continue to build our loan loss provision aggressively, given the continued uncertainty of the general economy and local real estate markets. However, with pre-tax, pre-provision earnings at near record levels the past two quarters, we are encouraged by the strength of our core operating earnings power going forward."

Third Quarter Financial Highlights:

Credit Quality

The Company's credit quality continued to compare favorably with southeastern peers and some credit-quality metrics continued to demonstrate signs of improvement. During the third quarter, the Company's total non-covered past due loans (loans not covered under FDIC loss-share agreements) decreased 34.9% from $10.1 million at June 30, 2010, or 1.68% of total non-covered loans, to $6.6 million, or 1.11% of total non-covered loans, at September 30, 2010. This represented the Company's lowest level of past due non-covered loans in over 18 months. As these loans move through the collection and disposition process, updated collateral values are obtained and loans are written down on the Company's books to their fair value. As a result, during the third quarter net loan charge-offs on non-covered loans totaled $2.0 million. This represented the third consecutive quarter that net charge-offs have decreased since a peak of $4.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2009. The current level of net loan charge-offs represented 1.36% of average non-covered loans during the third quarter. However, as past due loans move through the resolution process, this results in higher non-performing loans which increased to $19.8 million at September 30, 2010, from $13.0 million at June 30, 2010. These loans are in various stages of collection and resolution.

Despite the positive trends in net loan charge-offs and non-performing past due loans, the Company maintained its quarterly provision for loan losses at $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 in order to continue to build the level of loan loss reserves. As a result, the Company's allowance for loan losses increased to $10.8 million, or 1.81% of total non-covered loans at September 30, 2010, as compared to $9.8 million, or 1.62% of total non-covered loans, at June 30, 2010. The $3.0 million provision for loan losses was attributable to the Company's non-covered loan portfolio, which excludes loans that are subject to the FDIC loss-share agreements.

President Price commented, "Our primary focus has been and continues to be on asset quality. With some improving trends in unemployment levels and a stabilizing housing market, we remain cautiously optimistic about the future direction of the local economy. We also expect to continue to build our loan loss reserve level until such time as these indicators are more clearly sustainable."

Net Interest Margin

On a linked quarter basis, the Company's net interest margin decreased by six basis points to 3.42% for the third quarter of 2010, as compared to 3.48% for the second quarter. However, compared to the third quarter of 2009, the Company's net interest margin has improved by 37 basis points. The Company has focused on increasing core demand deposit accounts, which have contributed to a decrease in the cost of funds. However, limited loan demand and increased levels of liquidity have offset some of the positive effects of the lower cost of funds.

Balance Sheet Changes

Management's efforts to reduce exposures in the non-covered residential construction and acquisition and development loan portfolios resulted in a $14.6 million decrease in these loan portfolios during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, excluding covered loans acquired from the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee. Speculative residential construction loans decreased by $5.0 million, or 46.0%, and residential acquisition and development loans decreased by $9.6 million, or 26.9%, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010. Management expects that these efforts will continue and that new loan demand in general will remain soft through the first half of 2011.

The Company continues to experience steady core deposit growth. Excluding the deposits assumed in the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition, total core deposits increased by $10.0 million, or 3.5% during the first nine months of 2010. This growth was primarily driven by demand deposit accounts, which increased by $8.0 million, or 5.0%, and money market accounts, which increased by $2.0 million, or 1.7%, during the nine-month period. The steady growth in core deposits was attributable to a continued focus on deposit gathering, enhanced treasury management services, and increased market share due to mergers and a general "flight to quality" among community bank depositors.

Capital

The Company's capital position continues to be a source of strength during these uncertain economic times. The Bank's capital exceeds all regulatory capital measures and the Bank is considered "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes. This is the highest capital designation established by the Bank's regulatory authorities. The Bank's total risk-based capital ratio improved to 17.0% at September 30, 2010, compared to 16.8% at June 30, 2010. The Company's tangible common equity ratio which decreased slightly from 6.9% at June 30, 2010, to 6.7% at September 30, 2010, remained strong.

Income Statement Changes

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009 decreased by $175,000, or 7.1%, to $2.3 million. Excluding gains on sale of investments, which totaled $973,000 for the third quarter of 2009 and $305,000 for the third quarter of 2010, noninterest income increased by $493,000, or 33.0% for the comparable periods. Contributing to this increase was a $273,000 increase in service charges on deposits, a $246,000 increase in mortgage banking income and a $193,000 adjustment to the gain on acquisition.

Noninterest expense increased by $2.6 million during the comparable third quarter periods to $7.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The increase was primarily due to expenses related to the Bank of Hiawassee acquisition. The Company has implemented cost reduction measures related to the acquisition, including staff consolidation, data processing and technology integration, and facilities evaluations. These cost reductions were fully implemented in the third quarter of 2010 and the full effect of these reductions should be experienced in the fourth quarter of 2010. Also, the Company has experienced increased expenses related to the collection and disposition of assets covered by the FDIC loss share agreements amounting to $293,000. The Company expects to recover 80% of these costs as claims are made from the FDIC for repayment in accordance with the terms of the loss share agreements.

About Citizens South Banking Corporation

Citizens South Bank was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Gastonia, North Carolina. Deposits are FDIC insured up to applicable regulatory limits. At September 30, 2010, the Company had $1.1 billion in assets with 21 full-service offices in the Charlotte and North Georgia regions, including Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, Mecklenburg, and Union counties in North Carolina, York County in South Carolina, and Towns, Union, and Fannin counties in Georgia. Citizens South Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member, FDIC. The Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens South Banking Corporation, and shares of the common stock of the Company trade on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol "CSBC". The Company maintains a website at www.citizenssouth.com that includes information on the Company, along with a list of products and services, branch locations, current financial information, and links to the Company's filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, statements of our earnings expectations, statements regarding our operating strategy, and estimates of our future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company is under no duty to update these forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. A number of factors could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions - either locally or nationally, competition among depository and financial institutions, the continuation of current revenue and expense trends, significant changes in interest rates, unforeseen changes in the Company's markets, and legal, regulatory, or accounting changes. The Company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, describe some of these factors.


    Quarterly Financial
     Highlights
     (unaudited)                                                    2010
                                                                    ----
                                     At and For the Quarters Ended
                                     -----------------------------
                             September
                                 30            June 30         March 31
                            ----------         -------         --------
    (Dollars in
     thousands, except
     per share data)

    Summary of
     Operations:
      Interest income -
       taxable equivalent       $11,675         $12,308           $9,210
      Interest expense            3,790           4,083            3,393
                                  -----           -----            -----
      Net interest income -
       taxable equivalent         7,885           8,225            5,817
      Less: Taxable-
       equivalent
       adjustment                    79             114               98
                                    ---             ---              ---
      Net interest income         7,806           8,111            5,719
      Provision for loan
       losses                     3,000           3,000            3,050
                                  -----           -----            -----
      Net interest income
       after loan loss
       provision                  4,806           5,111            2,669
      Noninterest income          2,290           2,415           20,185
      Noninterest expense         7,781           7,279            6,356
                                  -----           -----            -----
      Net income (loss)
       before income taxes         (685)            247           16,498
      Income tax expense
       (benefit)                   (413)           (108)           6,201
                                   ----            ----            -----
      Net income (loss)            (272)            355           10,297
      Dividends on
       preferred stock              256             257              257
                                    ---             ---              ---
      Net income (loss)
       available to common
       shareholders               $(528)            $98          $10,040
                                  =====             ===          =======

    Per Common Share
     Data:
      Net income:
        Basic                    $(0.05)          $0.01            $1.29
        Diluted                   (0.05)           0.01             1.29
      Weighted average
       shares outstanding:
        Basic                10,844,386       9,077,042        7,786,819
        Diluted              10,844,386       9,077,042        7,786,819
      End of period shares
       outstanding           10,965,941      10,965,941        9,125,942
      Cash dividends
       declared                   $0.01           $0.04            $0.04
      Book value                   6.86            6.91             7.39
      Tangible book value          6.70            6.73             7.16

    End of Period
     Balances:
      Total assets           $1,087,558      $1,077,431       $1,132,652
      Loans, net of
       deferred fees            754,740         776,234          787,643
      Investment securities      87,255          97,678          100,161
      Interest-earning
       assets                   937,278         927,757          987,669
      Deposits                  865,786         853,526          884,127
      Shareholders' equity       95,682          96,410           96,390

    Quarterly Average
     Balances:
      Total assets           $1,080,680      $1,105,788         $873,418
      Loans, net of
       deferred fees            767,381         780,209          599,826
      Investment securities      91,425         100,501           89,020
      Interest-earning
       assets                   915,882         949,130          732,124
      Deposits                  853,902         859,408          614,007
      Shareholders' equity       96,258          96,282           78,292

    Financial Performance
     Ratios (annualized):
      Return on average
       assets                     -0.20%           0.04%            4.66%
      Return on average
       common equity              -2.77%           0.56%           73.21%
      Noninterest income to
       average total assets
        (1)                        0.85%           0.87%            9.24%
      Noninterest expense
       to average total
       assets (2)                  2.88%           2.63%            2.91%
      Efficiency ratio  (1)
       (2)                        76.47%          68.41%           24.44%


    Quarterly Financial Highlights
     (unaudited)                                                   2009
                                                                   ----
                                           At and For the Quarters Ended
                                           -----------------------------
                                            December         September
                                                31              2009
                                           ---------        ----------
    (Dollars in thousands, except per
     share data)

    Summary of Operations:
      Interest income -taxable
       equivalent                              $9,387            $9,656
      Interest expense                          3,531             3,947
                                                -----             -----
      Net interest income -taxable
       equivalent                               5,856             5,709
      Less: Taxable-equivalent
       adjustment                                 106               139
                                                  ---               ---
      Net interest income                       5,750             5,570
      Provision for loan losses                 4,155             3,975
                                                -----             -----
      Net interest income after loan loss
       provision                                1,595             1,595
      Noninterest income                        2,381             2,465
      Noninterest expense                      34,867             5,229
                                               ------             -----
      Net income (loss) before income
       taxes                                  (30,891)           (1,169)
      Income tax expense (benefit)               (611)             (672)
                                                 ----              ----
      Net income (loss)                       (30,280)             (497)
      Dividends on preferred stock                259               262
                                                  ---               ---
      Net income (loss) available to
       common shareholders                   $(30,539)            $(759)
                                             ========             =====

    Per Common Share Data:
      Net income:
        Basic                                  $(4.11)           $(0.10)
        Diluted                                 (4.11)            (0.10)
      Weighted average shares
       outstanding:
        Basic                               7,426,992         7,419,206
        Diluted                             7,426,992         7,419,206
      End of period shares outstanding      7,526,854         7,526,854
      Cash dividends declared                   $0.04             $0.04
      Book value                                 6.87             11.08
      Tangible book value                        6.80              7.06

    End of Period Balances:
      Total assets                           $791,532          $820,608
      Loans, net of deferred fees             610,201           616,793
      Investment securities                    83,370            90,174
      Interest-earning assets                 725,835           734,938
      Deposits                                609,345           606,614
      Shareholders' equity                     72,322           103,990

    Quarterly Average Balances:
      Total assets                           $823,608          $831,268
      Loans, net of deferred fees             610,568           624,112
      Investment securities                    87,061            94,673
      Interest-earning assets                 736,134           741,974
      Deposits                                605,608           609,243
      Shareholders' equity                    103,313           103,913

    Financial Performance Ratios
     (annualized):
      Return on average assets                 -14.71%            -0.36%
      Return on average common equity         -146.44%            -3.61%
      Noninterest income to average total
       assets  (1)                               1.16%             1.19%
      Noninterest expense to average
       total assets (2)                         16.93%             2.52%
      Efficiency ratio  (1) (2)                423.30%            63.97%


    Quarterly Financial
     Highlights (unaudited)                                           2010
                                                                      ----
                                   At and For the Quarters Ended
                                   -----------------------------
                                 September
                                     30            June 30       March 31
                                ----------         -------       --------
    (Dollars in thousands,
     except per share data)

    Net Interest Margin
     (annualized):
      Yield on earning assets          4.91%            4.96%         5.02%
      Cost of funds                    1.66%            1.72%         2.01%
      Net Interest spread              3.25%            3.24%         3.01%
      Net interest margin
       (taxable equivalent)            3.42%            3.48%         3.22%

    Credit Quality
     Information and Ratios:
      Past due loans (30-89
       days) accruing - non-
       covered                       $6,602          $10,145        $7,003
      Past due loans - non-
       covered to total non-
       covered loans                   1.11%            1.68%         1.15%

      Past due loans (30-89
       days) accruing -
       covered by FDIC loss-
       share (3)                     $8,701           $5,257       $11,030
      Past due loans -covered
       to total covered loans          5.43%            3.07%         6.09%

      Allowance for loan losses
       -beginning of period          $9,796           $9,230        $9,189
      Add:  Provision for loan
       losses                         3,000            3,000         3,050
      Less:  Net charge-offs
       (NCOs)                         2,044            2,434         3,009
      Allowance for loan losses
       -end of period                10,752            9,796         9,230

      Allowance for loan losses
       to total non-covered
       loans                           1.81%            1.62%         1.52%
      Net charge-offs to
       average non-covered
       loans (annualized)              1.36%            1.61%         1.98%
      Nonperforming non-
       covered loans to non-
       covered loans                   3.33%            2.15%         2.26%
      Nonperforming non-
       covered assets to total
       assets                          2.61%            1.97%         1.69%
      Nonperforming non-
       covered assets to total
       non-covered loans and
       other real estate owned         4.71%            3.46%         3.12%

      Nonperforming Assets
       (NPAs):
      Nonperforming loans:
      Non-covered loans:
        Residential                  $2,068           $1,646        $1,618
        Construction                    163              896           443
        Acquisition and
         development                    340              691         2,890
        Commercial land               5,034            3,252         6,148
        Other commercial real
         estate                       9,566            4,127         1,422
        Commercial business             720              742           131
        Consumer                      1,930            1,652         1,083
                                      -----            -----         -----
      Total non-covered
       nonperforming loans           19,821           13,006        13,735
      Total nonperforming loans
       covered by FDIC loss-
       share  (4)                    22,416           24,924        15,846
      Other real estate owned -
        non-covered                   8,557            8,239         5,386
      Other real estate owned -
       covered by FDIC loss
       share                          3,183            2,343         2,009
      Total nonperforming
       assets                       $53,977          $48,512       $36,976

    Capital Ratios:
      Tangible common equity           6.74%            6.86%         5.78%
      Total Risk-Based Capital
       (Bank only)                    17.02%           16.78%        15.53%
      Tier 1 Risk-Based
       Capital (Bank only)            15.58%           15.52%        14.47%
      Tier 1 Total Capital
       (Bank only)                     9.58%            9.74%         9.18%


    Quarterly Financial Highlights
     (unaudited)                                                     2009
                                                                     ----
                                         At and For the Quarters Ended
                                         -----------------------------
                                              December         September
                                                  31              2009
                                             ---------        ----------
    (Dollars in thousands, except per
     share data)

    Net Interest Margin (annualized):
      Yield on earning assets                      4.98%             5.13%
      Cost of funds                                2.09%             2.30%
      Net Interest spread                          2.89%             2.83%
      Net interest margin (taxable
       equivalent)                                 3.12%             3.05%

    Credit Quality Information and
     Ratios:
      Past due loans (30-89 days)
       accruing - non-covered                   $10,224           $10,860
      Past due loans - non-covered to
       total non-covered loans                     1.68%             1.76%

      Past due loans (30-89 days)
       accruing - covered by FDIC loss-
       share (3)                                      -                 -
      Past due loans -covered to total
       covered loans                                  -                 -

      Allowance for loan losses -
       beginning of period                       $9,499            $8,685
      Add:  Provision for loan losses             4,155             3,975
      Less:  Net charge-offs (NCOs)               4,465             3,161
      Allowance for loan losses -end of
       period                                     9,189             9,499

      Allowance for loan losses to total
       non-covered loans                           1.51%             1.54%
      Net charge-offs to average non-
       covered loans (annualized)                  2.93%             2.04%
      Nonperforming non-covered loans
       to non-covered loans                        1.96%             1.73%
      Nonperforming non-covered assets
       to total assets                             2.15%             1.72%
      Nonperforming non-covered assets
       to total non-covered loans and
       other real estate owned                     2.77%             2.28%

      Nonperforming Assets (NPAs):
      Nonperforming loans:
      Non-covered loans:
        Residential                                $898              $345
        Construction                              1,048             1,554
        Acquisition and development               3,419             3,510
        Commercial land                           3,640             1,884
        Other commercial real estate              1,841             2,197
        Commercial business                         140                 -
        Consumer                                  1,004             1,208
                                                  -----             -----
      Total non-covered nonperforming
       loans                                     11,990            10,698
      Total nonperforming loans covered
       by FDIC loss-share  (4)                        -                 -
      Other real estate owned - non-
       covered                                    5,067             3,444
      Other real estate owned -covered
       by FDIC loss share                             -                 -
      Total nonperforming assets                $17,057           $14,142

    Capital Ratios:
      Tangible common equity                       6.47%             6.72%
      Total Risk-Based Capital (Bank
       only)                                      14.07%            14.68%
      Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (Bank
       only)                                      12.98%            13.53%
      Tier 1 Total Capital (Bank only)            10.44%            10.70%


    (1)  Includes the gain on acquisition of Bank of Hiawassee of $18.7
    million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Subsequent
    adjustments in the amounts of $605,000 and $193,000 were made for
    the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010,
    respectively.
    (2)  Includes $29.6 million impairment of goodwill for the quarter
    ended December 31, 2009.  Also includes acquisition and integration
    expenses of $787,000, $94,000, and $141,000 for the quarters ended
    March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2010, respectively.
    (3)  The contractual balance of past due loans covered by  FDIC loss-
    share agreements totaled $13.8 million, $6.4 million, and $14.8
    million at March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2010,
    respectively.
    (4)  The contractual balance of nonperforming loans covered by  FDIC
    loss-share agreements totaled $29.0 million, $35.4 million and
    $29.1 million at March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30,
    2010, respectively.

    CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

                                                September 30,   December 31,
                                                          2010           2009
                                                          ----           ----
    (Dollars in thousands)                       (unaudited)

    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents:
        Cash and due from banks                        $16,792         $8,925
        Interest-earning bank balances                 137,352         44,255
        Federal funds sold                                   -              -
                                                           ---            ---
           Cash and cash equivalents                   154,144         53,180
    Investment securities available for
     sale, at fair value                                71,293         50,990
    Investment securities held to maturity,
     at amortized cost                                  15,962         32,380
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                5,938          4,149
    Presold loans in process of settlement               3,100              -
    Loans:
        Covered by FDIC loss-share agreements          160,327              -
        Not covered by FDIC loss-share
         agreements                                    594,413        610,201
        Allowance for loan losses                      (10,752)        (9,189)
           Net loans                                   743,988        601,012
    Other real estate owned                             11,740          5,067
    Premises and equipment, net                         23,972         15,436
    FDIC loss share receivable                          30,608              -
    Accrued interest receivable                          3,028          2,430
    Bank-owned life insurance                           18,107         17,522
    Intangible assets                                    1,834            570
    Other assets                                         3,844          8,796
              Total assets                          $1,087,558       $791,532
                                                    ==========       ========

    Liabilities
    Deposits:
        Non-interest bearing demand                    $70,908        $45,830
        Interest-bearing demand                        162,249        113,564
        Money market accounts                          147,269        118,687
        Savings                                         17,021         10,584
        Time deposits                                  468,339        320,680
           Total deposits                              865,786        609,345
    Short-term borrowings                                9,785         18,970
    Long-term debt                                     101,236         87,629
    Other liabilities                                   15,069          3,266
         Total liabilities                             991,876        719,210
    Commitments and contingencies
    Shareholders' Equity
    Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
     Authorized: 1,000,000 shares;
       Issued and outstanding: 20,500 shares            20,651         20,589
    Common stock, $0.01 par value,
     Authorized: 20,000,000 shares;
       Issued: 11,011,414 and 9,062,727 shares
        respectively;
       Outstanding: 10,965,941 and 7,526,854
        shares respectively                                124             91
    Additional paid-in-capital                          63,018         48,528
    Retained earnings, substantially
     restricted                                         11,791          3,411
    Accumulated other comprehensive income
     (loss)                                                 98           (297)
         Total shareholders' equity                     95,682         72,322
                                                        ------         ------
            Total liabilities and shareholders'
             equity                                 $1,087,558       $791,532
                                                    ==========       ========


    CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORPORATION
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                   ------------------
                                             30-Sep-10          30-Sep-09
                                             ---------          ---------
    (Dollars in thousands, except per
     share data)

    Interest Income:
      Interest and fees on loans                 $10,757             $8,413
      Investment securities:
        Taxable interest income                      620                775
        Tax-exempt interest income                   131                301
      Other interest income                           88                 28
                                                     ---                ---
        Total interest income                     11,596              9,517
                                                  ------              -----
    Interest Expense:
      Demand deposits and savings                    684                636
      Time deposits                                2,018              2,155
      Short-term borrowings                           67                136
      Long-term debt                               1,021              1,020
                                                   -----              -----
        Total interest expense                     3,790              3,947
                                                   -----              -----

    Net interest income                            7,806              5,570
    Provision for loan losses                      3,000              3,975
                                                   -----              -----
      Net interest income after provision
       for loan losses                             4,806              1,595
                                                   -----              -----
    Noninterest Income:
      Service charges on deposit accounts          1,132                859
      Mortgage banking income                        461                215
      Commissions on sales of financial
       products                                       53                 43
      Income from bank-owned life
       insurance                                     196                202
      Gain from acquisition                          193                  -
      Gain on sale of investments,
       available for sale                            305                973
      Loss on sale of other assets                  (185)               (21)
      Other income                                   135                194
                                                     ---                ---
        Total noninterest income                   2,290              2,465
                                                   -----              -----
    Noninterest Expense:
      Compensation and benefits                    3,774              2,570
      Occupancy and equipment expense                732                632
      Advertising and business
       development                                    80                115
      Professional services                          262                233
      Data processing fees                           179                130
      FDIC deposit insurance                         355                232
      Amortization of intangible assets              154                 81
      Valuation adjustment on other real
       estate owned                                  393                  -
      Impairment on investment securities              -                333
      Acquisition and integration
       expenses                                      141                  -
      Other expenses                               1,711                903
                                                   -----                ---
        Total noninterest expense                  7,781              5,229


    Income before income tax expense
     (benefit)                                      (685)            (1,169)
      Income tax expense (benefit)                  (413)              (672)
                                                    ----               ----
    Net income (loss)                               (272)              (497)
      Dividends on preferred stock                   256                262
                                                     ---                ---

    Net income (loss) available to
     common shareholders                           $(528)             $(759)
                                                   =====              =====

    Net income (loss) per common share:
      Basic                                       $(0.05)            $(0.10)
      Diluted                                      (0.05)             (0.10)

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding:
      Basic                                   10,844,386          7,419,206
      Diluted                                 10,844,386          7,419,206




                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                    -----------------
                                             30-Sep-10          30-Sep-09
                                             ---------          ---------
    (Dollars in thousands, except per
     share data)

    Interest Income:
      Interest and fees on loans                 $30,243            $25,350
      Investment securities:
        Taxable interest income                    1,914              2,703
        Tax-exempt interest income                   509                920
      Other interest income                          236                 46
                                                     ---                ---
        Total interest income                     32,902             29,019
                                                  ------             ------
    Interest Expense:
      Demand deposits and savings                  2,053              2,034
      Time deposits                                5,818              7,481
      Short-term borrowings                          202                416
      Long-term debt                               3,194              3,064
                                                   -----              -----
        Total interest expense                    11,267             12,995
                                                  ------             ------

    Net interest income                           21,635             16,024
    Provision for loan losses                      9,050              6,825
                                                   -----              -----
      Net interest income after provision
       for loan losses                            12,585              9,199
                                                  ------              -----
    Noninterest Income:
      Service charges on deposit accounts          2,893              2,428
      Mortgage banking income                      1,028                975
      Commissions on sales of financial
       products                                      359                137
      Income from bank-owned life
       insurance                                     627                570
      Gain from acquisition                       19,531                  -
      Gain on sale of investments,
       available for sale                            349              1,281
      Loss on sale of other assets                  (451)              (265)
      Other income                                   554                466
                                                     ---                ---
        Total noninterest income                  24,890              5,592
                                                  ------              -----
    Noninterest Expense:
      Compensation and benefits                   10,069              7,588
      Occupancy and equipment expense              2,454              1,958
      Advertising and business
       development                                   233                303
      Professional services                          729                707
      Data processing fees                           513                389
      FDIC deposit insurance                         969                825
      Amortization of intangible assets              372                243
      Valuation adjustment on other real
       estate owned                                1,088                175
      Impairment on investment securities              -                547
      Acquisition and integration
       expenses                                    1,022                  -
      Other expenses                               3,968              2,670
                                                   -----              -----
        Total noninterest expense                 21,417             15,405


    Income before income tax expense
     (benefit)                                    16,058               (614)
      Income tax expense (benefit)                 5,680               (887)
                                                   -----               ----
    Net income (loss)                             10,378                273
      Dividends on preferred stock                   769                774
                                                     ---                ---

    Net income (loss) available to
     common shareholders                          $9,609              $(501)
                                                  ======              =====

    Net income (loss) per common share:
      Basic                                        $1.04             $(0.07)
      Diluted                                       1.04              (0.07)

    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding:
      Basic                                    9,260,762          7,405,199
      Diluted                                  9,260,762          7,405,199


SOURCE Citizens South Banking Corporation