SOUTH HILL, Va., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Citizens Community Bank (OTC Bulletin Board: CZYB) today reported second quarter and year-to-date results for the period ended June 30, 2010. For the second quarter of 2010, net income available to common shareholders equaled $86,922, an increase of $71,020 over the second quarter of 2009. Basic and diluted earnings per share to common shareholders equaled $.06 for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $.01 for the second quarter of 2009. Pre-tax income for the second quarter of 2010 accelerated to $180,730, an increase of $114,970 or 174.8% over the second quarter of 2009.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, the Bank's net income available to common shareholders totaled $171,815, an increase of $105,332 over the first six months of 2009. Year to date, basic and diluted earnings per share to common shareholders equaled $.13 compared to $.05 for the same period in 2009. Pre-tax income for the first two quarters of 2010 equaled $371,329, up $226,501 or 156.4% over the same period in 2009.

As of June 30, 2010, total assets were $172.8 million, up $896,310 or .5% from December 31, 2009. Gross loans amounted to $130.6 million, a decline of $1.8 million or 1.4% from year end 2009. The Bank's investment portfolio declined $1.6 million or 6.7% over the past six months as cash flows and maturities were reinvested into federal funds. Total deposits equaled $142.7 million, an increase of $419,392 or .3% over the past six months.

President and CEO Thomas C. Manson stated, "We showed healthy improvements in both the 2010 quarter over quarter earnings as well as the comparative net income to first six months of 2009. While the economy remains sluggish, our net interest margin shows steady expansion and is affording the opportunity to increase profits while aggressively dealing with any remaining nonperforming assets and delinquent loans. While we're proud of our performance to date, we continue to increase our allowance for loan losses to remain among the strongest of our peers."

"We also are pleased to report positive feedback and results of our branding campaign to launch our new 'CCB' logo and nickname. This, along with our renewed efforts on outstanding quality service, should continue to help us positively differentiate ourselves in the marketplace," adds Manson.

For the second quarter of 2010, net interest income totaled $1,696,261, an increase of $319,347 or 23.2% over the second quarter of 2009. The improvement in net interest income was attributable to a stronger net interest margin. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Bank generated a 4.32% net interest margin, which was 87 basis points higher than the second quarter of 2009 and 9 basis points higher than the first quarter of 2010. The continued widening of the net interest margin resulted from steady earning asset yields over the period coupled with a decline in funding cost. For the second quarter of 2010, earning asset yields remained relatively stable at 5.91% while the Bank's funding costs declined 100 basis points to 1.90%.

For the first six months of 2010, net interest income totaled $3,352,412, an increase of $688,898 or 25.9% over the first six month of 2009 as the Bank's net interest margin expanded. Year to date, the Bank's net interest margin was 4.27%, 84 basis points higher than the first six months of 2009. The net interest margin expansion resulted from a reduction in funding costs.

Noninterest income totaled $236,050, up $49,992 or 26.9% over the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, noninterest income amounted to $449,481, an increase of $88,736 or 24.6% over the first six months of 2009. For both comparables periods, higher revenue primarily from deposit accounts and rental income on other real estate owned pushed noninterest income higher. Noninterest expense equaled $1,469,581, an increase of $109,569 or 8.1% over the second quarter of 2009 as expenses related to the branding and marketing of the new "CCB" were incurred as well as additional expenses associated with weakened loans and other real estate owned. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, noninterest expense totaled $2,824,840, an increase of $203,919 or 7.8% due primarily to branding and marketing related expenses coupled with overall loan related and general operating expenses. Salaries and benefits, which represented 43.4% of noninterest expense, increased a modest 1.4% or $16,537 over the first six months of 2009.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, provision for loan losses amounted to $282,000 an increase of $144,800 over the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, provision for loan losses equaled $605,724, an increase of $347,214 over the first six months of 2009. The additional provision expenses resulted from higher net charge-offs during the first two quarters of 2010 coupled with the Bank increasing its loan loss reserve ratio as nonperforming assets remained elevated and the local economy continues to be weak.

For the second quarter of 2010, net loan charge-offs equaled $164,678 or .50% of average loans compared to $76,079 or .23% of loans for the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net charge-offs stood at $387,561 or .59% of average loans, compared to $101,633 or .16% one year ago. Nonperforming loans equaled $3,487,287 or 2.67% of outstanding loans compared to $3,206,318 or 2.44% on June 30, 2009. Of the $3,487,287 in nonperforming loans, $1,007,547 was troubled debt restructured loans that were accruing interest. There were no loans 90 days past due and still accruing interest as of June 30, 2010. As of June 30, the Bank held $1,396,527 of other real estate owned. The allowance for loan losses equaled 1.79% of loans as of June 30, 2010 compared to 1.28% on June 30, 2009 and 1.60% on December 31, 2009.

Citizens Community Bank is a Virginia state chartered bank headquartered in South Hill, Va. Opened in December 1999, it operates five branches, three in south central Virginia and two in northern North Carolina. For more information and additional financial data, please visit www.ccbsite.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that concern future events which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any such statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Bank and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. The Bank's actual results, events and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statement.

                              Citizens Community Bank
                                Financial Highlights

    (Unaudited)
    (Actual dollars, except per          Three months ended
     share data)                              June 30,
                                         ------------------
    Selected Operating Data:             2010            2009
                                         ----            ----

    Net interest income            $1,696,261      $1,376,914
    Provision for loan losses         282,000         137,200
    Noninterest income                236,050         186,058
    Noninterest expense             1,469,581       1,360,012
                                    ---------       ---------
    Income before income tax          180,730          65,760
    Income tax expense                 45,433           1,483
                                       ------           -----
    Net income                       $135,297         $64,277
                                     ========         =======
    Less: Preferred dividends         $48,375         $48,375
                                      -------         -------
    Net income available to
     common shareholders              $86,922         $15,902
                                      =======         =======

    Income per share available to
    common shareholders:
    Basic                               $0.06           $0.01
                                        =====           =====
    Diluted                             $0.06           $0.01
                                        =====           =====

    Average shares outstanding,
     basic                          1,364,670       1,364,670
    Average shares outstanding,
     diluted                        1,364,670       1,364,670



    (Unaudited)
    (Actual dollars, except per       Six months ended June
     share data)                                30,
                                      ----------------------
    Selected Operating Data:             2010            2009
                                         ----            ----

    Net interest income            $3,352,412      $2,663,514
    Provision for loan losses         605,724         258,510
    Noninterest income                449,481         360,745
    Noninterest expense             2,824,840       2,620,921
                                    ---------       ---------
    Income before income tax          371,329         144,828
    Income tax expense                102,764           2,487
                                      -------           -----
    Net income                       $268,565        $142,341
                                     ========        ========
    Less: Preferred dividends         $96,750         $75,858
                                      -------         -------
    Net income available to
     common shareholders             $171,815         $66,483
                                     ========         =======

    Income per share available to
    common shareholders:
    Basic                               $0.13           $0.05
                                        =====           =====
    Diluted                             $0.13           $0.05
                                        =====           =====

    Average shares outstanding,
     basic                          1,364,670       1,364,670
    Average shares outstanding,
     diluted                        1,364,670       1,364,670


                                Citizens Community Bank
                                 Financial Highlights

                           (Unaudited)   (Audited)
    (Actual dollars, except   June 30,  December 31,
     per share data)           2010         2009
                           ----------- ------------
    Balance Sheet Data:

    Total assets          $172,758,759 $171,862,449
    Loans, net             128,260,944  130,301,003
    Deposits               142,725,527  142,306,135
    Borrowings               8,000,000    8,000,000
    Stockholders' equity    21,685,141   21,396,677
    Book value per 
     share (1)                  $13.53       $13.46
    Total shares
     outstanding             1,364,670    1,364,670



                                Three months ended       Six months ended
                                     June 30,                 June 30,
                                ------------------       ----------------
                                2010         2009        2010        2009
                                ----         ----        ----        ----
    (Unaudited)
    Asset Quality Ratios:
    Allowance for 
     loan loss             $ 2,336,878   $1,679,452  $2,336,878  $1,679,452
    Nonperforming assets     4,883,814    4,536,634   4,883,814   4,536,634
    Nonperforming loans      3,487,287    3,206,318   3,487,287   3,206,318
    Other real estate owned  1,396,527    1,330,316   1,396,527   1,330,316
    Net charge-offs            164,678       76,079     387,561     101,633
    Allowance for loan
      loss to total loans         1.79%        1.28%       1.79%       1.28%
    Nonperforming loans
      to total loans              2.67%        2.44%       2.67%       2.44%
    Nonperforming assets
      to total assets             2.83%        2.61%       2.83%       2.61%
    Net charge-offs to
      average loans               0.50%        0.23%       0.59%       0.16%

    Selected Performance
      Ratios:
    Return on average assets      0.20%        0.04%       0.20%       0.08%
    Return on average common
      equity                      1.87%        0.35%       1.83%       0.73%
    Net interest margin           4.32%        3.45%       4.27%       3.43%
    Overhead efficiency          76.05%       86.29%      74.30%      86.66%

    Note: (1) Book value excludes $3,045,667 and $3,015,167 of preferred stock
              for 2010 and 2009, respectively.

SOURCE Citizens Community Bank