New Jersey Community Bank Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

FREEHOLD, N.J., Oct. 20, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Jersey Community Bank (OTCBB:NJCB) (the "Bank") reported net income of $101 thousand, or $0.06 per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared with a net loss of ($219) thousand, or ($0.13) per common share for the same period in the prior year.

Robert D. O'Donnell, Chairman and CEO commented that, "The economy continues to struggle, as high unemployment rates, lower real estate values and low interest rates contribute to a stagnant business climate. We remain committed to meeting our clientele's financial needs through these difficult times, while adhering to our consistent underwriting standards."

James A. Kinghorn, President and COO added that, "Despite a challenging operating environment, the Bank's performance for the third quarter of 2010 reflected a gradual progress in many levels. We continue to see earnings growth, loan demand and deposit growth. Our net interest margin improved year over year as a result of increased interest income coupled with declining funding costs."

Balance Sheet Summary

At September 30, 2010, total assets were $112.2 million, an increase of $24.0 million, or 27.2%, over $88.2 million reported at December 31, 2009, primarily as a result of increases in interest-bearing due from banks, investment securities and loans receivable, partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $4.7 million, or 26.3%, to $13.2 million at September 30, 2010, from $17.9 million at December 31, 2009. The reduction in cash and cash equivalents was used to fund the increases in interest-bearing due from banks and investment securities.

Investment securities increased $5.0 million, or 64.8%, to $12.8 million at September 30, 2010, from $7.8 million reported at December 31, 2009. Total loans receivable increased $20.2 million, or 34.6%, to $78.6 million at September 30, 2010, from $58.4 million reported at December 31, 2009. The increases in both the investment securities and the loans receivable were funded utilizing the liquidity arising from the growth in deposits.

Total deposits grew by $23.7 million, or 31.6%, to $98.7 million during the first nine months of the year 2010. Core deposits, consisting of savings, NOW, money market and demand deposit accounts increased $17.2 million or 106.5%. Time deposits increased $6.5 million or 11.0%. Shareholders' equity totaled $13.3 million as of September 30, 2010. The Bank's capital ratios exceed the regulatory requirements of a well capitalized financial institution.

Results of Operations

For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, net interest income totaled $906 thousand, increasing $424 thousand over the same period in the prior year. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a combination of both a 58 basis points decrease in cost of average interest bearing liabilities and a 19 basis points increase in yield on earning assets. Total interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 totaled $1.3 million while the interest expense totaled $388 thousand. Net interest margin was 3.41% for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 52 basis points over the comparable quarter in 2009, an increase of 5 basis points from 3.36% for the linked quarter ended June 30, 2010.

The provision for loan loss was $115 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, almost unchanged from a year-ago quarter. Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Kinghorn noted, "Overall credit quality in the loan portfolio remains stable. Our non-performing loans are at their lowest levels and we continue to maintain adequate allowance for loan loss."  At September 30, 2010, non-performing loans totaled $79 thousand and there was one loan charged-off during the quarter in the amount of $83 thousand. The allowance for loan loss at period-end was $913 thousand, or 1.16% of total loans.

Non-interest income increased $59 thousand, to $101 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared with $42 thousand for the same quarter in the prior year. Majority of such increase is directly related to the increase in fees and service charges on deposit accounts.

Non-interest expense totaled $790 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, an increase of $162 thousand from year-ago quarter, primarily due to the growth of the bank.  Of the total increase, salaries and employee benefits increased $111 thousand due to addition of personnel.

About the Bank

New Jersey Community Bank is a state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey. The Bank operates two full-service banking offices in the central New Jersey county of Monmouth. The Bank provides traditional commercial and retail banking services to small businesses and consumers. For additional information about New Jersey Community Bank, please visit www.njcbk.com or call 732-431-2265.

The New Jersey Community Bank logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7748

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry, and specifically the financial condition and results of operations, including without limitation, statements relating to the earnings outlook of the Bank, as well as its operations, markets and products. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated. Among the important factors that could cause results to differ materially are interest rate changes, change in economic climate, which could materially impact credit quality trends and the ability to generate loans, changes in the mix of the Bank's business, competitive pressures, changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices or requirements, resolution of tax reviews, and those risk factors detailed in the Bank's periodic reports. The Bank undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.