Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. For the quarter, the company reported total interest income of $34,708,000 against $36,114,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $28,452,000 against $28,953,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses was $26,170,000 against $26,630,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $10,217,000 against $12,151,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders was $7,258,000 against $6,604,000 a year ago. Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.30 against $0.27 a year ago. Basic and diluted net income per common share was $0.30 against $0.27 a year ago. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased by $0.5 million or 2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 due primarily to a decrease in interest income resulting from lower average overall earning asset yields. This decline in interest income was somewhat offset by a decrease in interest expense as average rates paid on deposit products decreased, although at a slower pace, together with a planned run-off in average deposits. Return on average assets was 0.79% against 0.73% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 6.54% against 6.34% a year ago. Book value per common share was $18.52 as on December 31, 2011 against $16.95 as on December 31, 2010. Tangible book value per common share was $14.58 as on December 31, 2011 against $13.59 as on December 31, 2010. For the year, the company reported total interest income of $139,470,000 against $148,349,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $112,524,000 against $115,607,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses was $111,518,000 against $89,699,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $49,947,000 against $32,569,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders was $34,102,000 against $17,371,000 a year ago. Diluted net income per share was $1.41 against $1.05 a year ago. Diluted net income per common share was $1.41 against $0.78 a year ago. Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2011 decreased by $2.7 million or 2% compared to 2010 as a result of a decline in interest income due mainly to lower average loan balances and record low market interest rates. The impact of an $8.9 million decline in interest income was substantially mitigated by a $6.2 million decline in interest expense as average rates paid on deposit products decreased, although at a slower pace. Return on average assets was 0.95% against 0.48% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 8.07% against 4.56% a year ago. Book value per common share was $18.58 as on December 31, 2011 against $16.95 as on December 31, 2010. Tangible book value per common share was $14.58 as on December 31, 2011 against $13.59 as on December 31, 2010. For the quarter the company reported net charge-offs of 2,576,000 against $7,470,000 a year ago.