Empire Bancorp, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016. Net income, measured on a consolidated basis, for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $843,000, compared with $641,000 for the third quarter of 2016 and $657,000 for the fourth quarter of 2015.  There were net securities gains of $131,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016, as compared to $18,000 in the third quarter of 2016.  There were no security gains or losses recognized in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $0.12, compared with $0.09 for the third quarter of 2016 and $0.10 for the fourth quarter of 2015. Return on average assets and average common stockholders' equity for the fourth quarter of 2016 were 0.44% and 5.04%, respectively, compared with 0.34% and 3.75%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2016, and 0.43% and 4.03%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Net income at Empire National Bank for the fourth quarter of 2016, which excludes the impact of subordinated debt interest expense and other holding company operating expenses, was $1.0 million, compared with $839,000 for the third quarter of 2016 and $703,000 for the fourth quarter of 2015. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased $109,000, or 2.0%, over the third quarter of 2016 and $618,000, or 12.2%, over the fourth quarter of 2015.  Interest income for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased $141,000 from the third quarter of 2016 and $993,000 from the fourth quarter of 2015.  The linked quarter increase was mostly attributable to an increase in loan income and income from securities available for sale by $27,000 and $121,000, respectively.  Interest income was $6,546,000 against $5,553,000 for the same period of last year. Net interest income was $5,666,000 against $5,048,000 for the same period of last year. Income before income taxes was $1,316,000 against $1,028,000 for the same period of last year. Net interest income increased $1.8 million, or 8.8% to $21,567,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 over $19,815,000 for the same period of last year. Interest income was $24,868,000 against $21,504,000 for the same period of last year. Net income was $2,790,000 against $2,534,000 for the same period of last year. Diluted earnings per share was $0.40 against $0.37 for the same period of last year. Return on average assets was 0.39% against 0.47% for the same period of last year. Return on average equity was 4.19% against 3.98% for the same period of last year. Income before income taxes was $4,344,000 against $3,955,000 for the same period of last year.