Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported total interest income of $9,198,000 compared to $9,943,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $7,330,000 compared to $7,322,000 a year ago, was attributable to an increase in net interest margin, from 4.12% to 4.17%, partially offset by a 1.1% decline in the average balance of interest-earning assets. Net income available to the common shareholders was $2,431,000 compared to $2,553,000 a year ago. The decrease was attributable primarily to an increase in noninterest expense and an increase in provision for loan losses, partially offset by decreases in provisions for income taxes and increases in noninterest income and net interest income. Preliminary net income available to common shareholders was $0.72 per fully diluted common share for the second quarter of fiscal 2013, a decrease of 24.2%, as compared to the $0.95 per fully diluted common share earned during the same period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily the result of higher average fully diluted common shares outstanding following the common stock offering completed in November 2011. Return on average assets was 1.32% compared to 1.44% a year ago. Return on average common shareholders' equity was $12.5% compared to $17.1% a year ago.

For the six months, the company reported total interest income of $18,559,000 compared to $20,157,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $14,751,000 compared to $14,799,000 a year ago, attributable to a decline in the net interest margin, from 4.27% to 4.23%, partially offset by a 0.4% increase in average interest-earning assets. Net income available to the common shareholders was $4,826,000 or $1.43 per diluted common share compared to $5,173,000 or $2.12 per diluted common share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.36% compared to 1.53% a year ago. Return on average common shareholders' equity was $12.6% compared to $19.3% a year ago. Book value per common share as on December 31, 2012 was $24.25 compared to $23.01 as of December 31, 2011.

The company announced that the Board of Directors declared its consecutive quarterly dividend on common stock. The cash dividend of $0.15 per common share will be paid on February 28, 2013, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2013.

For the quarter, the company reported net charge-offs of 0.30% compared to 0.25% a year ago.