WASHINGTON, N.C., Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- First South Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSBK) (the "Company"), the parent holding company of First South Bank (the "Bank"), reports its unaudited financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

The Company has previously reported that on December 12, 2014, the Bank completed the acquisition of nine branch banking offices in eastern North Carolina from Bank of America, N.A. ("BOA"). In connection with this transaction the Bank incurred a number of one-time expenses that impacted our results of operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. Our results of operations were also impacted by a penalty associated with the prepayment of $20.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances and several other non-recurring expenses during the quarter.

For the 2014 fourth quarter, net income was $142,000 or $0.02 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $1.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share for the linked 2014 third quarter and $1.1 million or $0.12 per diluted common share for the comparative 2013 fourth quarter. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $3.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share, compared to $6.0 million, or $0.62 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Pre-tax net income for the current quarter reflects the impact of $1.7 million of one-time acquisition transaction expenses and the prepayment penalty on FHLB advances. Excluding the net effects of these one-time expenses, net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, would have totaled $1.3 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014, would have been $5.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share. The following table presents net income for the respective December 31, 2014 quarter and year end periods adjusted for the impact of the one-time BOA acquisition transaction expenses and the FHLB prepayment penalty:



                                       Quarter Ended        Year Ended

                                                   12/31/14         12/31/14
                                                   --------         --------

                                       (In thousands)

    Reported Net Income                                $142            $3,873

    Adjustments for One-Time Expenses:

    BOA Branch Acquisition Transaction

    Professional fees and services                      647               647

    Compensation and fringe benefits                    241               241

    Advertising                                         205               205

    Other miscellaneous expenses                        133               133

    Premises and equipment                               94                94
                                                        ---               ---

    Total BOA Branch Acquisition
     Expenses                                                          1,320


    FHLB Advance Prepayment Fee                         345               345
                                                        ---               ---

    Total One-Time Adjustments                        1,665             1,665

    Income Tax Benefit (29.85%)                      (497)            (497)
                                                       ----              ----

    Net Income Adjusted for One-Time
     Expenses                                        $1,310            $5,041
                                                     ======            ======


    Reported Diluted EPS                              $0.02             $0.40

    Impact of One-Time Expenses on EPS                $0.12             $0.12

    Diluted EPS Adjusted for One-Time
     Expenses                                         $0.14             $0.52

Bruce Elder, President and CEO, commented, "On December 12, 2014, we completed our transaction with Bank of America and acquired nine banking centers, expanding our presence into seven new eastern North Carolina markets. In addition to expanding our branch and ATM network, we also acquired a strong core customer base. Our challenge looking ahead to 2015 will be to capitalize on lending opportunities and broaden our market share in both new and existing markets.

We continue to remain focused on our core earnings and asset quality. While our financial results were impacted by a number of one-time expenses in the 2014 fourth quarter, we have made progress in the areas of net interest income, core non-interest income and containing recurring non-interest expenses."

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the 2014 fourth quarter increased to $6.8 million from $6.6 million for the linked 2014 third quarter and $6.5 million earned for the comparative 2013 fourth quarter. Net interest income for the year ended 2014 declined marginally to $26.4 million, from $26.8 million for the comparative year ended 2013. The tax equivalent net interest margin declined 31 basis points to 3.78% for the 2014 fourth quarter, from 4.09% for the linked 2014 third quarter, and fell 42 basis points when compared to 4.20% for the 2013 fourth quarter. The tax equivalent net interest margin for the year ended 2014 declined by 28 basis points to 4.06%, from 4.34% for the comparative year ended 2013.

The increase in net interest income from the linked 2014 third quarter is due primarily to the implementation of a strategy to pre-invest a large portion of the deposits to be received from the BOA transaction into investment securities until the funds can be re-deployed to higher yielding assets. The sharp decline in net interest margin was due to the increased volume of lower yielding investment securities as a percentage of earning assets when compared to prior periods.

The increase in net interest income from the comparative prior year quarterly period is due primarily to higher volumes of earning assets offset by lower yields on those assets. While the Company experienced growth in loans and investment securities during 2014, given the current low rate environment, yields on new loan production and investment security purchases are below that of prior historical levels. Similarly, the marginal decline in net interest income from the comparative annual period is due primarily to a reduction in the yields and a change in the composition of our earning asset base.

Asset Quality and Provisions for Loan Losses

Total nonperforming assets were $13.2 million, or 1.5% of total assets at December 31, 2014, compared to $15.3 million or 2.3% of total assets at December 31, 2013. Total loans in non-accrual status were $5.0 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $5.6 million at December 31, 2013. Our level of OREO declined to $7.8 million at December 31, 2014, from $9.4 million at December 31, 2013. The Bank continues to place improving asset quality metrics as a key component of its short-term and long-term performance objectives.

The allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) was $7.5 million at December 31, 2014, representing 1.57% of loans and leases held for investment, compared to $7.6 million at December 31, 2013, or 1.69% of loans and leases held for investment. The Bank recorded no provision for credit losses in the 2014 fourth quarter, $400,000 in the linked 2014 third quarter, and $685,000 in the comparative 2013 fourth quarter. During the years ended 2014 and 2013, the Bank recorded $1.1 million of provision for credit losses for each of the respective years. Management believes the ALLL remains adequate.

Non-Interest Income

On a comparative quarterly basis, total non-interest income was relatively consistent at $2.3 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, $2.2 million for the linked 2014 third quarter, and $2.3 million for the 2013 fourth quarter.

Deposit fees and service charges were $1.2 million for the 2014 fourth quarter representing 53.4% of total non-interest income, compared to $1.1 million earned in the linked 2014 third quarter and $1.0 million in the 2013 fourth quarter, representing 49.8% and 45.4% of total non-interest income, respectively. We anticipate additional service charge revenue from deposits going forward, as we focus on growing our core deposit base through new customer acquisition, cross-selling to existing customers and the deposit accounts acquired from the branch purchase transaction.

Total non-interest income generated from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans and loan fees were $603,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared with $677,000 in the linked 2014 third quarter and $623,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. Revenue from mortgage banking activities declined with home purchases in the first half of the current quarter, but rebounded in December as low mortgage rates sparked additional refinance activity. As we sell the majority of our originated mortgage loans and retain the servicing rights, the decline in volume has also impacted recurring revenue from servicing. We continue to explore various strategies to enhance our non-interest income, including the purchasing of servicing rights.

Net gains recognized from the sale of OREO were $33,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $9,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $206,000 for the comparative 2013 fourth quarter.

There were no gains on investment security sales during the 2014 fourth quarter, the linked second quarter or the 2013 fourth quarter.

Included in other non-interest income is revenue from investments in Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) of $134,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, $133,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $105,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter.

Total core non-interest income, excluding net gains from the sale of OREO and investment securities, continued to remain constant at $2.2 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, $2.2 million for the linked 2014 third quarter, and $2.1 million for the 2013 fourth quarter, due primarily to consistent collection of services charges and fees on deposit accounts.

For the year ended 2014, total non-interest income was $8.6 million, compared to $10.4 million for the year ended 2013. Fees and service charges on deposits were $4.4 million for the current period compared to $4.2 million for the prior year period. The Bank and the mortgage industry overall, has experienced a slowdown in mortgage activity due to the current economic conditions and increases in mortgage rates from their recent historic low levels. As a result, revenue generated from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans and loan fees declined by $1.4 million to $2.4 million for 2014, from $3.8 million for 2013. Net gains recognized from the sale of OREO and investment securities declined to $115,000 and $14,000, respectively, for 2014, from $609,000 and $548,000, respectively, for 2013, reflecting a reduced volume of sales activity in the respective periods. BOLI earnings increased to $531,000 for 2014, compared to $293,000 for 2013.

Total adjusted core non-interest income for the year ended 2014 was down by $794,000 to $8.5 million, from $9.3 million from the prior year. Considering that mortgage revenue was down by $1.4 million for 2014, there was positive growth in the other categories of non-interest income for the current year.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expenses were $8.9 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $6.5 million for the linked 2014 third quarter and $6.4 million for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, total non-interest expenses were $28.5 million, compared to $27.0 million reported for the year ended 2013. The increase in total non-interest expenses for the 2014 fourth quarter and the year ended 2014, relate primarily to the $1.7 million of one-time expenses noted above.

Compensation and benefits expenses, the largest component of non-interest expenses, were $4.4 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $3.8 million for the linked 2014 third quarter and $3.6 million for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, compensation and benefits expense was $15.8 million, compared to $15.1 million reported in 2013. The increase in compensation and benefits expenses for the 2014 fourth quarter and the year ended 2014 includes $241,000 of acquisition expenses. Additionally, there were approximately $120,000 of non-recurring compensation and benefits expenses related to additional FUTA taxes billed and severance pay. The Bank will continue to manage staffing levels to ensure we meet the ongoing needs of our customers and to support our future growth.

Premises and equipment expense was $1.1 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $877,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $746,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, premises and equipment expense was $3.6 million, compared to $3.0 million reported in 2013. The increase in premises and premises expense for the 2014 fourth quarter and the year ended 2014 includes $94,000 of acquisition expenses. With the recent addition of nine new branch locations, we anticipate our level of expenses for premises and equipment going forward to be above that of prior periods.

FDIC insurance was $145,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $137,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $150,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, FDIC insurance declined to $566,000, from $850,000 reported in 2013. The change in volume of FDIC insurance is attributable to changes in the volume of the deposit insurance assessment calculation base.

Advertising expense was $371,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $127,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $123,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, advertising expense was $667,000, compared to $289,000 reported in 2013. The increase in advertising expense for the 2014 fourth quarter and the year ended 2014 includes $205,000 of acquisition expenses.

Data processing costs were $604,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $567,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $563,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the years ended 2014 and 2013, data processing costs were $2.3 million for each respective year. Data processing costs fluctuate in conjunction with changes in the number of customer accounts and transaction activity volumes and therefore, with the addition of accounts and customers from the acquisition, we would expect these costs to increase going forward.

Expenses attributable to ongoing maintenance, property taxes and insurance for OREO properties were $123,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared $105,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $100,000 for the comparative 2013 fourth quarter. Quarterly valuation adjustments were $131,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, and $62,000, respectively, for the linked 2014 third quarter and the comparative 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, total ongoing OREO expenses declined to $454,000 from $621,000 for the prior year. Total OREO valuation adjustments declined to $204,000 for 2014, from $546,000 for the prior year.

Other general and administrative expense was $2.0 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $779,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $993,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, other expenses were $4.6 million, compared to $3.8 million reported in 2013. The increase in other expenses for the 2014 fourth quarter and the year ended 2014 includes acquisition related professional fees and other miscellaneous expenses of $647,000 and $133,000, respectively, and $345,000 of penalties related to prepaying $20.0 million of FHLB advances.

During 2014, the strategy for obtaining $20.0 million long-term fixed-rate FHLB advances was to hedge the impact of potential rising interest rates on future earnings, to minimize future interest rate risk and to provide liquidity during a period of extremely high CD maturity volume. When these advances were taken, we did not foresee the branch purchase transaction and related increased liquidity. Additionally, we did not project the recent decline in interest rates. With the volume of excess liquidity acquired in the branch purchase transaction, repaying the advances resulted in a one-time pretax charge of $345,000; however, during 2015 alone the interest expense savings on these advances of $438,000 well exceeds the cost of unwinding these positions.

Income tax expense was $40,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to $565,000 for the linked 2014 third quarter and $486,000 for the 2013 fourth quarter. For the year ended 2014, income tax expense declined to $1.6 million, from $3.1 million for the 2013. The effective income tax rates were 22.10% for the 2014 fourth quarter, 29.63% for the linked 2014 third quarter and 29.82% for the 2013 fourth quarter. The effective income tax rates were 28.79% and 34.02% for the years ended 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increased investment in BOLI and tax-exempt municipal bonds, combined with the income tax benefit related to the one-time expenses contributed to the decline in income tax expense and the effective income tax rates for the 2014 fourth quarter and year ended.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased to $885.9 million at December 31, 2014, from $674.7 million at December 31, 2013. The $211.2 million increase is the result of growth in earning assets, primarily in the loans and leases held for investment and securities available for sale categories.

Loans and leases held for investment grew by $29.4 million during the year ended 2014, including $1.3 million of loans acquired from the BOA transaction. As a result of this net growth, total loans and leases held for investment increased to $480.4 million at December 31, 2014, from $451.0 million at December 31, 2013.

The investment securities portfolio increased to $292.8 million at December 31, 2014, from $150.8 million at December 31, 2013. During the current year, the Bank implemented a strategy that adds bonds of similar quality, structure and duration to our portfolio that will enhance income generation. As noted above, we also implemented a strategy to pre-invest a large portion of the anticipated BOA transaction proceeds using a mix of cash, short-term and intermediate term investment securities until the funds can be converted to higher yielding assets.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks increased by $20.4 million during 2014, including $12.7 million of bank insured certificates of deposit. As a result of this net growth, interest-bearing deposits with banks increased to $32.8 million at December 31, 2014, from $12.4 million at December 31, 2013.

During the year ended 2014, the Bank had a $4.0 million net increase in its investment in BOLI, to $15.1 million at December 31, 2014, from $11.1 million at December 31, 2013. The investment returns from the BOLI will offset a portion of the cost of providing benefit plans to our employees.

Intangible assets increased to $6.4 million at December 31, 2014, from $4.2 million at December 31, 2013, reflecting the core deposit intangible associated with the BOA transaction, which will be amortized over a ten year period.

Total deposits as of December 31, 2014 were $788.3 million, an increase of $186.2 million and $202.2 million from the third quarter of 2014 and the prior year end, respectively. This increase included $172.7 million of deposits initially acquired in the BOA transaction coupled with organic growth from our legacy branch network. Organic growth in our legacy branch network totaled $16.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2014 and $33.1 million for the year. Customers continued to migrate away from certificates of deposit (CD's) to savings and other non-maturity accounts during the fourth quarter. Through our legacy branch network CD balances were reduced by $4.6 million while lower cost non-maturity deposits grew by $21.4 million during the current quarter.

There were no FHLB advances outstanding at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013. The Bank uses FHLB borrowings as a supplemental funding source for earning asset growth, providing an effective means of managing its overall cost of funds, and managing exposure to interest rate risk. In anticipation of the December BOA transaction closing, as noted above we implemented a pre-investment strategy of purchasing investment securities funded with short-term FHLB advances. Once the BOA transaction was finalized and the deposit funds are received, all outstanding FHLB advances were repaid.

Stockholders' equity increased to $80.4 million at December 31, 2014, from $74.9 million at December 31, 2013. This increase reflects the $3.9 million of net income earned for the year ended December 31, 2014 and a $3.1 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the mark-to-market adjustment of the available-for-sale securities portfolio, net of $963,000 dividend payments, and $457,000 used to acquire 55,876 shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to a previously announced repurchase plan.

The tangible equity to assets ratio was 8.36% at December 31, 2014, compared to 10.47% at December 31, 2013. There were 9,598,007 common shares outstanding at December 31, 2014, compared to 9,653,883 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013, reflecting the net effect of shares purchased through the stock repurchase program. The tangible book value per common share increased to $7.71 at December 31, 2014, from $7.32 at December 31, 2013.

Key Performance Ratios

Some of our key performance ratios are the return on average assets (ROA), the return on average equity (ROE) and the efficiency ratio. ROA is 0.07% for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared with 0.74% for the linked 2014 third quarter and 0.67% for the 2013 fourth quarter. ROE is .70% for the 2014 fourth quarter compared with 6.70% for the linked 2014 third quarter and 5.96% for the 2013 fourth quarter. The efficiency ratio (noninterest expenses as a percentage of net interest income plus noninterest income) is 96.31% for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared to 72.52% for the linked 2014 third quarter and 73.56% for the 2013 fourth quarter. The efficiency ratio measures the proportion of net operating revenues that are absorbed by overhead expenses.

The ROA, ROE and efficiency ratios for the 2014 year were .53%, 4.93% and 79.98%, respectively, compared to .87%, 7.84% and 72.61%, respectively, for the 2013 year. The performance ratios for the 2014 fourth quarter and year end were adversely impacted by the one-time expenses noted above.

Corporate and Investor Information

First South Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern and central North Carolina since 1902 and offers a variety of financial products and services to business and individual customers. The Bank operates through its main office headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, and has 35 full service branch offices located throughout eastern and central North Carolina.

The Bank also provides a full menu of leasing services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First South Leasing, LLC. In addition, under its First South Wealth Management division, the Bank makes securities brokerage services available through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer.

Additional investor information for the Company and the Bank may be accessed on our website at www.firstsouthnc.com.

The Company's common stock symbol as traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market is "FSBK".

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of changes in interest rates, the effects of competition, and including without limitation to other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Certain amounts in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2013 have been reclassified to conform with the presentation as of and for the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2014. The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the Supplemental Financial Data contain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management uses these "non-GAAP" measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. See the disclosures above and in the Supplemental Financial Data for reconciliations of any non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.



    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition


                                                                               December 31,             December 31,

                                                                                                   2014                      2013
                                                                                                   ----                      ----

    Assets                                                                      (unaudited)                  (*)


    Cash and due from banks                                                                 $23,281,016               $11,816,071

    Interest-bearing deposits with
     banks                                                                                   32,835,661                12,419,244

    Investment securities available for sale,
     at fair value                                                                        292,298,910               150,300,079

    Investment securities held to
     maturity                                                                                   507,309                   506,176

    Loans held for sale:

       Mortgage loans                                                                         4,792,943                 2,992,017
                                                                                              ---------                 ---------

               Total loans held for sale                                                      4,792,943                 2,992,017


    Loans and leases held for
     investment                                                                             480,436,270               450,960,277

       Allowance for loan and lease
        losses                                                                              (7,519,970)              (7,609,467)
                                                                                             ----------                ----------

               Net loans and leases held for investment                                   472,916,300               443,350,810


    Premises and equipment, net                                                              15,821,436                11,759,521

    Other real estate owned                                                                   7,755,541                 9,353,835

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                                                     606,500                   848,800

    Accrued interest receivable                                                               2,851,650                 2,334,944

    Goodwill                                                                                  4,218,576                 4,218,576

    Mortgage servicing rights                                                                 1,178,115                 1,219,623

    Identifiable intangible assets                                                            2,182,909                     7,860

    Income tax receivable                                                                     2,594,376                 2,901,062

    Bank-owned life insurance                                                                15,125,498                11,094,182

    Prepaid expenses and other
     assets                                                                                   6,898,192                 9,599,143
                                                                                              ---------                 ---------


              Total assets                                                                 $885,864,932              $674,721,943
                                                                                           ============              ============


    Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity


    Deposits:

      Non-interest bearing demand                                                          $147,543,594               $96,445,049

      Interest bearing demand                                                               268,472,945               171,548,658

      Savings                                                                               117,932,606                69,542,654

      Large denomination certificates
       of deposit                                                                           111,523,043               123,492,907

      Other time                                                                            142,808,182               124,674,588
                                                                                            -----------               -----------

              Total deposits                                                                788,280,370               585,703,856


    Borrowed money                                                                                    -                        -

    Junior subordinated debentures                                                           10,310,000                10,310,000

    Other liabilities                                                                         6,837,701                 3,849,944
                                                                                              ---------                 ---------

              Total liabilities                                                             805,428,071               599,863,800
                                                                                            -----------               -----------



    Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000
     shares authorized;

       9,598,007 and 9,653,883 shares
        outstanding, respectively                                                              95,980                    96,539

    Additional paid-in capital                                                               35,869,195                35,809,397

    Retained earnings                                                                        41,303,204                38,849,326

    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                                                                   3,168,482                   102,881
                                                                                              ---------                   -------

               Total stockholders' equity                                                    80,436,861                74,858,143
                                                                                             ----------                ----------


               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity                                                       $885,864,932              $674,721,943


    (*) Derived from audited consolidated financial statements


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    (unaudited)

                                                                      Three Months Ended                             Year Ended

                                                                         December 31,                               December 31,
                                                                         ------------                               ------------

                                                                      2014                          2013                        2014                     2013
                                                                      ----                          ----                        ----                     ----


    Interest income:

      Interest and fees on
       loans                                                  $5,980,692                    $5,991,109                 $23,947,521              $24,706,151

      Interest on investments and
       deposits                                               1,587,879                     1,131,670                   5,230,342                4,965,975
                                                              ---------                     ---------                   ---------                ---------

               Total interest income                          7,568,571                     7,122,779                  29,177,863               29,672,126
                                                              ---------                     ---------                  ----------               ----------


    Interest expense:

      Interest on deposits                                      532,986                       591,220                   2,141,899                2,499,693

      Interest on borrowings             128,545                                    -                       285,831                       7,058

      Interest on junior
       subordinated notes                                        80,462                        80,841                     323,113                  339,572
                                                                 ------                        ------                     -------                  -------

               Total interest expense                           741,993                       672,061                   2,750,843                2,846,323
                                                                -------                       -------                   ---------                ---------


    Net interest income                                       6,826,578                     6,450,718                  26,427,020               26,825,803

    Provision for credit losses                -                             685,000                      1,100,000                   1,085,000
                                                                                                         ---------                   ---------

               Net interest income after
                provision for credit losses                   6,826,578                     5,765,718                  25,327,020               25,740,803
                                                              ---------                     ---------                  ----------               ----------


    Non-interest income:

      Deposit fees and service
       charges                                                1,202,427                     1,046,132                   4,387,235                4,204,821

      Loan fees and charges                                      63,284                        49,379                     180,899                  175,073

      Mortgage loan servicing fees                              259,796                       270,294                     984,623                1,238,414

      Gain on sale and other fees
       on mortgage loans                                        343,138                       352,378                   1,419,721                2,516,268

      Gain on sale of other real
       estate, net                                               32,768                       206,107                     115,137                  609,173

      Gain on sale of investment
       securities                              -                                   -                        13,509                     548,074

      Other income                                              350,152                       382,216                   1,484,062                1,115,971
                                                                -------                       -------                   ---------                ---------

               Total non-interest income                      2,251,565                     2,306,506                   8,585,186               10,407,794
                                                              ---------                     ---------                   ---------               ----------


    Non-interest expense:

      Compensation and fringe
       benefits                                               4,379,984                     3,584,537                  15,834,616               15,114,629

      Federal deposit insurance
       premiums                                                 145,106                       149,854                     565,980                  849,974

      Premises and equipment                                  1,056,641                       745,844                   3,591,249                2,990,333

      Advertising                                               371,432                       123,129                     667,337                  289,419

      Data processing                                           604,175                       562,830                   2,324,496                2,317,765

      Amortization of intangible
       assets                                                    57,062                       120,831                     221,070                  478,404

      Other real estate owned
       expense                                                  254,197                       161,746                     649,848                1,166,457

      Other                                                   2,026,803                       992,981                   4,618,979                3,829,546
                                                              ---------                       -------                   ---------                ---------

               Total non-interest expense                     8,895,400                     6,441,752                  28,473,575               27,036,527
                                                              ---------                     ---------                  ----------               ----------


    Income before income tax
     expense                                                    182,743                     1,630,472                   5,438,631                9,112,070

    Income tax expense                                           40,394                       486,273                   1,565,687                3,099,975
                                                                 ------                       -------                   ---------                ---------


    NET INCOME                                                  $142,349                    $1,144,199                  $3,872,944               $6,012,095




    Per share data:

    Basic earnings per
     share                                                         $0.02                         $0.12                       $0.40                    $0.62

    Diluted earnings per
     share                                                         $0.02                         $0.12                       $0.40                    $0.62

    Dividends per share                                           $0.025                         $0.00                      $0.100                    $0.00

    Average basic shares
     outstanding                                              9,598,007                     9,727,175                   9,619,124                9,745,154

    Average diluted shares
     outstanding                                              9,618,820                     9,737,495                   9,638,158                9,751,737


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



    First South Bancorp, Inc.                                                        Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                                            Quarter to Date                                                        Year to Date
                                                                                            ---------------                                                        ------------

                                                     12/31/2014              9/30/2014                     6/30/2014                  3/31/2014                   12/31/2013                    12/31/2014                    12/31/2013
                                                     ----------              ---------                     ---------                  ---------                   ----------                    ----------                    ----------

                                                                                         (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Consolidated balance sheet
     data:
    --------------------------

    Total assets                                                 $885,865                  $734,666                       $711,547                   $700,764                       $674,722                       $885,865                       $674,722


    Loans held for sale:                                           $4,793                    $5,540                         $4,715                     $5,649                         $2,992                         $4,793                         $2,992


    Loans held for investment:

                                   Mortgage             $66,391                 $67,791                        $69,454                     $66,630                       $69,006                        $66,391                        $69,006

                                   Commercial           338,861                 331,209                        322,775                     317,711                       305,160                        338,861                        305,160

                                   Consumer              62,792                  61,959                         66,122                      67,621                        68,615                         62,792                         68,615

                                   Leases                12,392                  12,054                         11,650                      10,123                         8,179                         12,392                          8,179


                                       Total loans
                                        held for
                                        investment      480,436                 473,013                        470,001                     462,085                       450,960                        480,436                        450,960

    Allowance for loan and lease
     losses                                                       (7,520)                  (7,504)                       (7,926)                   (7,804)                       (7,609)                       (7,520)                       (7,609)
                                                                   ------                    ------                         ------                     ------                         ------                         ------                         ------

    Net loans held for investment                                $472,916                  $465,509                       $462,075                   $454,281                       $443,351                       $472,916                       $443,351


    Cash & interest bearing
     deposits                                                     $56,117                   $20,106                        $17,658                    $22,703                        $24,235                        $56,117                        $24,235

    Investment securities                                         292,806                   188,472                        172,468                    166,072                        150,806                        292,806                        150,806

    Premises and equipment                                         15,821                    12,494                         11,671                     11,561                         11,760                         15,821                         11,760

    Goodwill                                                        4,219                     4,219                          4,219                      4,219                          4,219                          4,219                          4,219

    Identifiable intangible asset                                   2,183                         0                              0                          0                              8                          2,183                              8

    Mortgage servicing rights                                       1,178                     1,171                          1,180                      1,119                          1,220                          1,178                          1,220


    Deposits:

    Non-interest checking                                        $147,544                   $99,219                        $97,734                    $98,419                        $96,445                       $147,544                        $96,445

    Interest checking                                             180,558                   130,421                        133,512                    129,798                        128,161                        180,558                        128,161

    Money market                                                   87,915                    52,052                         45,941                     45,771                         43,388                         87,915                         43,388

    Savings                                                       117,932                    90,190                         85,703                     79,018                         69,543                        117,932                         69,543

    Certificates                                                  254,331                   230,166                        229,571                    239,394                        248,167                        254,331                        248,167
                                                                  -------                   -------                        -------                    -------                        -------                        -------                        -------

                                    Total
                                    deposits           $788,280                $602,048                       $592,461                    $592,400                      $585,704                       $788,280                       $585,704


    Borrowings                                                         $0                   $37,500                        $25,500                    $17,000                             $0                             $0                             $0

    Junior subordinated debentures                                 10,310                    10,310                         10,310                     10,310                         10,310                         10,310                         10,310

    Stockholders' equity                                           80,437                    80,363                         79,150                     77,166                         74,858                         80,437                         74,858


    Consolidated earnings summary:
    ------------------------------

    Interest income                                                $7,569                    $7,316                         $7,218                     $7,075                         $7,123                        $29,178                        $29,672

    Interest expense                                                  742                       716                            652                        640                            672                          2,751                          2,846
                                                                      ---                       ---                            ---                        ---                            ---                          -----                          -----

    Net interest income                                             6,827                     6,600                          6,566                      6,435                          6,451                         26,427                         26,826

    Provision for credit losses                                         0                       400                            450                        250                            685                          1,100                          1,085

    Noninterest income                                              2,251                     2,245                          2,170                      1,918                          2,306                          8,585                         10,408

    Noninterest expense                                             8,896                     6,537                          6,458                      6,583                          6,442                         28,473                         27,037
                                                                    -----                     -----                          -----                      -----                          -----                         ------                         ------

    Income before taxes                                               182                     1,908                          1,828                      1,520                          1,630                          5,439                          9,112

    Income tax expense                                                 40                       565                            542                        418                            486                          1,566                          3,100
                                                                      ---                       ---                            ---                        ---                            ---                          -----                          -----

    Net income                                                       $142                    $1,343                         $1,286                     $1,102                         $1,144                         $3,873                         $6,012
                                                                     ====                    ======                         ======                     ======                         ======                         ======                         ======


    Adjusted pre-tax pre-
     provision operating
    ---------------------

     earnings (non-GAAP):
     --------------------

    Income before taxes                                              $182                    $1,908                         $1,828                     $1,520                         $1,630                         $5,439                         $9,112

    Provision for credit losses                                         0                       400                            450                        250                            685                          1,100                          1,085
                                                                      ---                       ---                            ---                        ---                            ---                          -----                          -----

    Pre-tax pre-provision net
     income                                                           182                     2,308                          2,278                      1,770                          2,315                          6,539                         10,197

    Securities gains                                                    0                         0                              0                       (14)                             0                           (14)                         (548)

    OREO valuations                                                   131                        62                              0                         11                             62                            204                            546

    OREO gains (net)                                                 (33)                      (9)                          (34)                      (39)                         (206)                         (115)                         (609)
                                                                      ---                       ---                            ---                        ---                           ----                           ----                           ----

    Adjusted pre-tax pre-
     provision operating

                                    earnings
                                    (non-GAAP)             $280                  $2,361                         $2,244                      $1,728                        $2,171                         $6,614                         $9,586



    Per Share Data:
    ---------------

    Basic earnings per share                                        $0.02                     $0.14                          $0.13                      $0.11                          $0.12                          $0.40                          $0.62

    Diluted earnings per share                                      $0.02                     $0.14                          $0.13                      $0.11                          $0.12                          $0.40                          $0.62

    Dividends per share                                            $0.025                    $0.025                         $0.025                     $0.025                         $0.000                          $0.10                          $0.00

    Book value per share                                            $8.38                     $8.37                          $8.25                      $7.99                          $7.75                          $8.38                          $7.75

    Tangible book value per share                                   $7.71                     $7.93                          $7.81                      $7.56                          $7.32                          $7.71                          $7.32


    Average basic shares                                        9,598,007                 9,598,007                      9,629,040                  9,652,804                      9,727,175                      9,619,124                      9,745,154

    Average diluted shares                                      9,618,820                 9,616,004                      9,648,158                  9,671,557                      9,737,495                      9,638,158                      9,751,737



    First South Bancorp, Inc.                                                   Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                                         Quarter to Date                                                  Year to Date
                                                                                         ---------------                                                  ------------

                                                     12/31/2014              9/30/2014                     6/30/2014                  3/31/2014                   12/31/2013                    12/31/2014                    12/31/2013
                                                     ----------              ---------                     ---------                  ---------                   ----------                    ----------                    ----------

                                                                              (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Performance ratios (tax
     equivalent):
    -----------------------

    Yield on average earning
     assets                                                         4.18%                    4.52%                         4.56%                     4.66%                         4.63%                         4.47%                         4.79%

    Cost of interest bearing
     liabilities                                                    0.48%                    0.53%                         0.49%                     0.52%                         0.53%                         0.51%                         0.56%
                                                                     ----                      ----                           ----                       ----                           ----                           ----                           ----

    Net interest spread                                             3.70%                    3.99%                         4.07%                     4.14%                         4.10%                         3.96%                         4.23%

    Net interest margin                                             3.78%                    4.09%                         4.16%                     4.24%                         4.20%                         4.06%                         4.34%

    Avg earning assets to total
     avg assets                                                    92.18%                   91.30%                        91.31%                    91.76%                        91.84%                        91.65%                        91.48%


    Return on average assets
     (annualized)                                                   0.07%                    0.74%                         0.73%                     0.66%                         0.67%                         0.53%                         0.87%

    Return on average equity
     (annualized)                                                   0.70%                    6.70%                         6.61%                     5.89%                         5.96%                         4.93%                         7.84%

    Efficiency ratio                                               96.31%                   72.52%                        72.77%                    77.68%                        73.56%                        79.98%                        72.61%


    Average assets                                               $794,286                  $717,091                       $705,393                   $679,608                       $681,690                       $724,094                       $688,226

    Average earning assets                                       $732,153                  $654,700                       $644,074                   $623,617                       $626,050                       $663,636                       $629,560

    Average equity                                                $81,739                   $80,243                        $78,724                    $76,682                        $76,231                        $79,347                        $76,669


    Equity/Assets                                                   9.08%                   10.94%                        11.12%                    11.01%                        11.09%                         9.08%                        11.09%

    Tangible Equity/Assets                                          8.36%                   10.36%                        10.53%                    10.41%                        10.47%                         8.36%                        10.47%


    Asset quality data and ratios:
    ------------------------------

    Nonaccrual loans:

                                    Non-TDR
                                    nonaccrual
                                    loans

                                     Earning                            $723                      $317                           $312                       $463                           $683                           $723                           $683

                                     Non-Earning          1,075                     940                          2,853                       1,248                         1,331                          1,075                          1,331


                                        Total Non-
                                         TDR
                                         nonaccrual
                                         loans           $1,798                  $1,257                         $3,165                      $1,711                        $2,014                         $1,798                         $2,014


                                    TDR
                                    nonaccrual
                                    loans

                                      Past Due TDRs      $1,233                  $1,260                         $3,303                      $2,188                        $1,821                         $1,233                         $1,821

                                      Current TDRs        2,007                   2,027                          1,326                       1,583                         1,739                          2,007                          1,739


                                         Total TDR
                                          nonaccrual
                                          loans          $3,240                  $3,287                         $4,629                      $3,771                        $3,560                         $3,240                         $3,560


    Total nonaccrual loans                                         $5,038                    $4,544                         $7,794                     $5,482                         $5,574                         $5,038                         $5,574

    Loans >90 days past due, still
     accruing                                                         389                       476                            896                         61                            420                            389                            420

    Other real estate owned                                         7,756                     8,103                          8,729                      9,013                          9,354                          7,756                          9,354
                                                                    -----                     -----                          -----                      -----                          -----                          -----

    Total nonperforming assets                                    $13,183                   $13,123                        $17,419                    $14,556                        $15,348                        $13,183                        $15,348
                                                                  =======                   =======                        =======                    =======                        =======                        =======                        =======


    Allowance for loan and lease
     losses to

                                    loans held
                                    for
                                    investment            1.57%                  1.59%                         1.69%                      1.69%                        1.69%                         1.57%                         1.69%


    Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                    $(17)                     $822                           $328                        $56                           $782                         $1,189                         $1,336

    Net charge-offs (recoveries)
     to total loans                                                 0.00%                    0.17%                         0.07%                     0.01%                         0.17%                         0.25%                         0.29%

    Total nonaccrual loans to
     total loans                                                    1.04%                    0.95%                         1.64%                     1.17%                         1.23%                         1.04%                         1.23%

    Total nonperforming assets to
     total assets                                                   1.49%                    1.79%                         2.45%                     2.08%                         2.27%                         1.49%                         2.27%

    Total loans to total deposits                                  61.56%                   79.49%                        80.13%                    78.96%                        77.51%                        61.56%                        77.51%

    Total loans to total assets                                    54.77%                   65.14%                        66.72%                    66.75%                        67.28%                        54.77%                        67.28%

    Loans serviced for others                                    $306,822                  $310,341                       $315,732                   $318,670                       $325,441                       $306,822                       $325,441

For more information contact:
Bruce Elder (CEO) (252) 940-4936
Scott McLean (CFO) (252) 940-5016
Website: www.firstsouthnc.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-south-bancorp-inc-reports-december-31-2014-quarterly-and-year-end-operating-results-300025689.html

SOURCE First South Bancorp, Inc.