NEWPORT, R.I., Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Newport Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: NFSB), the holding company for Newport Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), today announced earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported net income of $489,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $432,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported net income of $1.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2011.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company's assets decreased by $4.5 million, or 1.0%, to $449.4 million. The decrease in assets was concentrated in securities, which decreased by $13.9 million, or 38.4%, and a $1.2 million, or 8.3%, decrease in premises and equipment, offset in part by a $5.0 million, or 16.0%, increase in cash and cash equivalents and a $6.5 million, or 1.9%, increase in net loans. The decrease in securities was attributable to principal payments received on the mortgage-backed securities, which contributed to the increase in cash and cash equivalents. The decrease in net premises and equipment is attributable to the sale of the former Westerly, Rhode Island branch and normal depreciation and amortization. The loan portfolio increase was attributable to an increase in residential mortgages (an increase of $20.7 million, or 9.9%), partially offset by decreases in home equity loans and lines (a decrease of $2.6 million, or 13.3%), commercial mortgages (a decrease of $10.1 million, or 8.5%), commercial loans (a decrease of $118,000, or 10.6%), and construction loans (a decrease of $899,000, or 17.9%).

For the year ended December 31, 2012, deposit balances increased by $24.9 million, or 9.4%. The increase in deposits occurred in NOW/Demand accounts (an increase of $18.1 million, or 16.0%), savings accounts (an increase of $6.3 million, or 19.5%) and time deposit accounts (an increase of $5.1 million, or 7.2%), partially offset by a decrease in money market accounts (a decrease of $4.6 million, or 9.4%).

Total stockholders' equity at December 31, 2012 was $53.2 million compared to $51.7 million at December 31, 2011. The increase was primarily attributable to net income and stock-based compensation credits.

Net interest income decreased to $3.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 from $3.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 7.1%. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $13.8 million, compared to $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 7.6%. The decrease in net interest income during the 2012 periods was primarily due to a decrease in the interest earned on loans and securities, partially offset by a decrease in the expense from deposits and borrowings.

The average yield on interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 4.75%, compared to 5.25% for the year ended December 31, 2011. This decline in the yield was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets, resulting in a decrease of $1.9 million of income earned on such assets. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 1.54% for the year ended December 31, 2012 from 1.76% for the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in a $751,000 decrease in total interest expense. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $4.3 million, or 1.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as the average cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased by 26 basis points in the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting in a $560,000 decrease in interest expense on such deposits. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the interest rate spread decreased to 3.21% from 3.50% for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 29 basis points.

Non-performing assets totaled $2.2 million, or 0.48% of total assets, at December 31, 2012, compared to $2.7 million, or 0.61% of total assets, at December 31, 2011. Non-performing assets at December 31, 2012 consisted of four commercial real estate loans totaling $1.6 million, two one-to-four family residential real estate loans totaling $518,000 and one home equity loan totaling $56,000. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 totaled $28,000 and $51,000, respectively. Net charge-offs for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $696,000 and $1.1 million, respectively. The loan loss provision for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $221,000, compared to $92,000 for the fourth quarter of 2011. The loan loss provision for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Management reviews the level of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis and establishes the provision for loan losses based upon the volume and types of lending, delinquency levels, loss experience, the amount of impaired and classified loans, economic conditions and other factors related to the collectability of the loan portfolio. The 2012 provision decreased compared to the 2011 provision due to changes in the loan portfolio mix, a decrease in non-performing loans and a decrease in charge-offs, offset by loan growth and an increase in allocated reserves for loans that have been restructured.

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2012 totaled $737,000, an increase of $160,000, or 27.7%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, non-interest income totaled $2.5 million, an increase of $71,000, or 3.0%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in non-interest income between the two years and two quarters was primarily due to an increase in bank-owned life insurance income as a result of life insurance proceeds, partially offset by a decrease in customer service fees earned on checking accounts.

Non-interest expenses decreased to $3.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 from $3.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of 6.2%. The decrease between periods is attributable to decreases in salaries and employee benefits, marketing costs and other general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increases in data processing costs, professional fees and FDIC insurance costs. For the year ended December 31, 2012, non-interest expenses totaled $13.0 million, a $961,000 decrease, or 6.9%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease in total non-interest expense between the two years is attributable to decreases in salaries and employee benefits, marketing costs and other general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increases in data processing costs and professional fees. The decrease in salaries and benefits is primarily due to a decrease in salary costs and a reduction in the stock-based compensation expense associated with option grants and restricted stock awards. The accelerated method of expense recognition was adopted at the inception of the equity incentive plan on October 1, 2007, resulting in a higher stock-based compensation expense in the 2011 period compared to the 2012 period. The decrease in marketing costs is a result of a continued effort by management to reduce advertising and marketing expenses. The decrease in other general and administrative expenses is primarily due to decreases in foreclosed real estate and stationery and office supply expenses.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements and all other statements that are not historic facts are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect our business, changes in accounting policies and practices, changes in competition and demand for financial services, adverse changes in the securities markets, changes in deposit flows and changes in the quality or composition of the Company's loan or investment portfolios. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize, actual results may vary from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.



                                                                                                         NEWPORT BANCORP, INC.
                                                                                                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                ASSETS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ------------
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2012              2011
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ----              ----
                                                                                                                                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
    Cash and due from banks                                                                                                                                                                                                          $20,311           $19,739
    Short-term investments                                                                                                                                                                                                            15,732            11,335
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ------            ------
          Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                   36,043            31,074
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
    Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost                                                                                                                                                                                    22,307            36,220
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                                                                                                                                                                                              5,588             5,730
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     359,069           352,201
    Loans
    Allowance for loan losses                                                                                                                                                                                                         (4,031)           (3,709)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ------            ------
            Loans, net                                                                                                                                                                                                               355,038           348,492
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -------           -------
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              14,706
    Premises and equipment                                                                                                                                                                                                            13,489
    Accrued interest receivable                                                                                                                                                                                                        1,118             1,268
    Net deferred tax asset                                                                                                                                                                                                             2,848             2,809
    Bank-owned life insurance                                                                                                                                                                                                         11,456            11,088
    Foreclosed real estate                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -               839
    Prepaid FDIC insurance                                                                                                                                                                                                               423               734
    Other assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                       1,103               949
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -----               ---
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
          Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                                              $449,413          $453,909
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ========          ========
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
    Deposits                                                                                                                                                                                                                        $289,674          $264,769
    Long-term borrowings                                                                                                                                                                                                             102,797           133,696
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                             3,787             3,790
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       -----             -----
          Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                          396,258           402,255
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -------           -------
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;                                                                                                                                                                          -                 -
           none issued
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 19,000,000 shares authorized;                                                                                                                                                                           49                49
          4,878,349 shares issued
    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                                                        50,085            50,282
    Retained earnings                                                                                                                                                                                                                 21,843            20,282
    Unearned compensation (208,143 and 272,786 shares at
        December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)                                                                                                                                                                        (2,081)           (2,413)
    Treasury stock, at cost (1,378,627 shares and 1,371,943 shares
        at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)                                                                                                                                                                   (16,741)          (16,546)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -------           -------
            Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                                                53,155            51,654
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ------            ------
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                                                              $449,413          $453,909
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ========          ========
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      


                                                                               NEWPORT BANCORP, INC.
                                                                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                                                                           Three Months Ended                        Years Ended
                                                                                                              December 31,                          December 31,
                                                                                                              ------------                          ------------
                                                                                                                2012                2011                2012          2011
                                                                                                                ----                ----                ----          ----
                                                                                                                               (Unaudited)
                                                                                                              (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

    Interest and dividend income:
            Loans                                                                                             $4,317              $4,661             $17,800       $19,176
            Securities                                                                                           319                 471               1,510         2,041
            Other interest-earning assets                                                                         25                  17                  75            48
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---                 ---           ---
                    Total interest and dividend income                                                         4,661               5,149              19,385        21,265
                                                                                                               -----               -----              ------        ------

    Interest expense:
            Deposits                                                                                             284                 360               1,190         1,750
            Short-term borrowings                                                                                  -                   -                   -             3
            Long-term borrowings                                                                                 987               1,139               4,390         4,578
                                                                                                                 ---               -----               -----         -----
                    Total interest expense                                                                     1,271               1,499               5,580         6,331
                                                                                                               -----               -----               -----         -----

    Net interest income                                                                                        3,390               3,650              13,805        14,934
    Provision for loan losses                                                                                    221                  92               1,019         1,121
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---               -----         -----

                    Net interest income, after provision for loan losses                                       3,169               3,558              12,786        13,813
                                                                                                               -----               -----              ------        ------

    Non-interest income:
             Customer service fees                                                                               478                 462               1,880         1,929
             Bank-owned life insurance                                                                           254                  97                 532           383
             Miscellaneous                                                                                         5                  18                  45            74
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---                 ---           ---
                    Total non-interest income                                                                    737                 577               2,457         2,386
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---               -----         -----

    Non-interest expenses:
            Salaries and employee benefits                                                                     1,739               1,974               6,885         7,699
            Occupancy and equipment                                                                              546                 538               2,192         2,185
            Data processing                                                                                      435                 397               1,682         1,564
            Professional fees                                                                                    187                 102                 670           535
            Marketing                                                                                            121                 181                 577           711
            FDIC Insurance                                                                                        78                  17                 339           343
            Other general and administrative                                                                     147                 260                 661           930
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---                 ---           ---
                    Total non-interest expenses                                                                3,253               3,469              13,006        13,967
                                                                                                               -----               -----              ------        ------

    Income before income taxes                                                                                   653                 666               2,237         2,232

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                   164                 234                 676           782
                                                                                                                 ---                 ---                 ---           ---

    Net income                                                                                                  $489                $432              $1,561        $1,450
                                                                                                                ====                ====              ======        ======


    Weighted-average shares outstanding:
          Basic                                                                                            3,287,243           3,317,328           3,306,817     3,315,369
          Diluted                                                                                          3,389,758           3,317,328           3,358,452     3,329,082


    Earnings per share:
          Basic                                                                                                $0.15               $0.13               $0.47         $0.44
          Diluted                                                                                              $0.14               $0.13               $0.46         $0.44

SOURCE Newport Bancorp, Inc.