WASHINGTON, N.C., April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- First South Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSBK) (the "Company"), parent holding company of First South Bank (the "Bank"), reports its unaudited operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

The Company's net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $1.5 million or $0.15 per diluted common share, compared to $725,000, or $0.08 per diluted common share earned for the 2015 first quarter. Net income for the 2015 first quarter reflects the impact of $425,000 of one-time pre-tax transaction expenses associated with the acquisition of nine branch offices from Bank of America (BOA) in mid-December of 2014. Net income for the linked 2015 fourth quarter was $1.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted common share.

Loan portfolio growth during the 2016 first quarter remained strong for the Company, as loans and leases held for investment (LHFI) increased to $639.0 million at March 31, 2016, from $607.0 million at December 31, 2015 and $488.7 million at March 31, 2015. The ongoing expansion of our loan portfolio should continue to have a favorable impact on the Company's margin and revenue generation in future periods.

2016 First Quarter Highlights


    --  Strong first quarter loan growth as we increased LHFI $32.0 million or
        21.1% on an annualized basis.
    --  Expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) loan sales and servicing.
    --  Improved asset quality metrics with lower levels of past due and
        non-performing loans, as well as other real estate owned (OREO).  Total
        non-performing assets were 0.95% of total assets at March 31, 2016.
    --  Experienced positive deposit growth over the linked quarter and first
        quarter one-year ago.
    --  Increased our net interest margin when compared to the first quarter
        one-year ago.
    --  Consolidated three branches into nearby locations which is expected to
        positively impact efficiency in future periods.
    --  Our new branch opened in Williamston, NC on November 30, 2015 was
        profitable in its first full quarter of operation.

Bruce Elder, President and CEO, commented, "We are pleased to report the financial results for the first quarter of 2016 which illustrate the continued execution of our strategy to build long-term stockholder value. Coupled with the growth in 2015, we have increased our loan and lease portfolio by $158 million since December 31, 2014. Over the past 15 months, we have changed the mix of our earning assets by transitioning over $99 million from lower yielding investments and cash into higher yielding loans. Over the same period, our deposits have increased by over $30 million, almost $17 million of which is in non-interest bearing deposits. The transformation is having a positive impact on earnings as net income has doubled for the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same prior year quarter.

During the first quarter, we consolidated three branch locations with other nearby facilities. The financial results for the quarter reflect approximately $160,000 of pre-tax restructuring costs associated with the consolidations. While branch consolidations typically result in some customer loss, particularly with cash intensive customers, our retention rate is very high due to the relationships we have built and our electronic banking capabilities. We continue to strive to enhance our operating leverage and further improve efficiency.

Finally, we remain focused on asset quality, both the new business we are generating as well as the existing loan and lease portfolio. Despite a slight decrease in total assets during the quarter, our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets declined to 0.95% from 1.0% at December 31, 2015. Our loan growth over the past 15 months has not come as a result of relaxed credit underwriting standards."

Net Interest Income. Net interest income for the 2016 first quarter increased to $7.8 million, from $7.7 million for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $7.1 million for the 2015 first quarter. The increase in the net interest income resulted primarily from our strong loan and lease growth. The tax equivalent net interest margin remained consistent at 3.64% for both the 2016 first quarter and the linked 2015 fourth quarter, and compared favorably to the 3.62% tax equivalent net interest margin for the 2015 first quarter. Yields on earning assets have been impacted by renewal of existing loans and origination of new loans in a highly competitive, low interest rate environment. This impact has been mitigated by a significant change in the mix of our earning assets over comparative periods. On the liability side of the balance sheet, while we continue to seek expansion of our non-maturity deposit base, we have also taken steps to protect the Company from a rising rate environment by adding some longer-term funding.

Asset Quality and Provision for Loan Losses. The Bank continues to focus on improving its asset quality metrics. Total nonperforming assets declined to $8.9 million at March 31, 2016, from $9.4 million at December 31, 2015, and $11.5 million at March 31, 2015. Total non-accrual loans declined to $2.8 million at March 31, 2016, from $3.2 million at December 31, 2015 and $4.4 million at March 31, 2015. The volume of OREO declined to $6.0 million at March 31, 2016, from $6.1 million at December 31, 2015 and $7.1 million at March 31, 2015.

The allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) was $8.1 million at March 31, 2016, representing 1.27% of loans and leases held for investment, compared to $7.9 million at December 31, 2015, or 1.30% of loans and leases held for investment, and $7.2 million at March 31, 2015, or 1.47% of loans held for investment. During the 2016 first quarter, the Bank recorded $225,000 of provision for credit losses, compared to $325,000 recorded in the linked 2015 fourth quarter and none in the 2015 first quarter. During the 2016 first quarter, the Bank recorded $44,000 of net recoveries, compared to net charge-offs of $28,000 and $317,000 recorded in the linked 2015 fourth quarter and 2015 first quarter, respectively. Management believes the ALLL remains adequate.

Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income was $3.6 million for the 2016 first quarter, compared to $3.7 million for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $3.2 million for the comparative 2015 first quarter.

Service charges and fees remained relatively consistent at $2.0 million for the 2016 first quarter, $2.1 million for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $1.9 million for the 2015 first quarter. The current volume of service charges and fees has been enhanced by the BOA branch acquisition transaction. We anticipate additional service charge revenue from deposits going forward, as we focus on growing our core deposit base through new customer acquisition, cross-selling to existing customers and offering new revenue generating products.

Total revenue from the sale and servicing of mortgage loans and loan fees was $648,000 for the 2016 first quarter, compared with $820,000 in the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $624,000 for the 2015 first quarter. Revenue from mortgage banking in the 2016 first quarter was primarily driven by mortgage applications taken in the last two months of 2015 and the first month of 2016. Application volume decreased during that period due to a temporary spike in long term rates. We continue to explore various strategies to enhance our non-interest income, including the purchasing of mortgage servicing rights.

Net gains from investment securities sales were $284,000 for the 2016 first quarter, compared to $463,000 for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $251,000 for the 2015 first quarter. During the 2016 first quarter, we sold $30.4 million of investment securities to fund growth in our loan portfolio.

Other non-interest income for the first quarter of 2016 totaled $692,000, which includes a $230,000 non-recurring item as well as $144,000 of SBA related revenue. While the Bank has made SBA loans in the past, we only recently began the process of actively selling and servicing these credits. Other non-interest income for the linked fourth quarter of 2015 was $328,000, including $4,000 of SBA servicing revenue, and $334,000 for the comparative first quarter of 2015.

Non-Interest Expense. Total non-interest expenses were $9.1 million for both the 2016 first quarter and the linked 2015 fourth quarter, compared to $9.3 million for the 2015 first quarter.

Compensation and benefit expenses, the largest component of non-interest expenses, increased marginally to $5.0 million for the 2016 first quarter, from $4.9 million for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $4.7 million 2015 first quarter. First quarter 2016 expenses included severance costs associated with branch consolidations during the period. The Bank will continue to manage staffing levels to ensure we meet the ongoing needs of our customers and to support our future growth.

Premises and equipment expenses remained stable at $1.4 million for the 2016 first quarter, as well as the first and fourth quarters of 2015. We will continue to explore opportunities to gain efficiency and performance improvement from our branch network. Occupancy expenses for the 2016 first quarter included the retirement of certain leasehold improvements at an office that was consolidated and closed.

Data processing costs declined to $796,000 and $778,000, respectively, for the 2016 first quarter and the linked 2015 fourth quarter, from $1.1 million for the 2015 first quarter. Data processing expense for the 2015 first quarter included $173,000 of one-time expenses associated with the BOA branch acquisition. Data processing costs fluctuate with changes in the number of customer accounts and transaction activity volumes.

In conjunction with the decline in the Bank's OREO, total expenses attributable to ongoing maintenance, property taxes and insurance, as well as valuation adjustments for OREO properties have also declined. These OREO expenses declined to $94,000 for the 2016 first quarter, from $169,000 for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $207,000 for the comparative 2015 first quarter.

During the first quarter of 2016 the Bank consolidated three existing branches into nearby locations. Of the locations that were consolidated, two of the facilities are leased and the third is owned. The Bank has entered into a contract to sell the owned location and realized an $85,000 pre-tax loss during the period as a result.

Income tax expense was $574,000 for the 2016 first quarter, compared to $484,000 for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and $257,000 for the 2015 first quarter. The effective income tax rates were 28.20% for the 2016 first quarter, 23.60% for the linked 2015 fourth quarter and 26.15% for the 2015 first quarter.

Balance Sheet. Total assets were $940.1 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $946.3 million at December 31, 2015 and $879.2 million at March 31, 2015. The year-over-year increase is primarily attributable to the strong growth in loans and leases held for investment. Loans and leases held for investment totaled $639.0 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $607.0 million at December 31, 2015 and $488.7 million at March 31, 2015.

The investment securities portfolio declined to $213.5 million at March 31, 2016, from $248.8 million at December 31, 2015. This reduction was the result of cash flows from scheduled amortization and maturities, as well as sales of securities, with the proceeds used to support growth in loans outstanding.

The Bank's investment in bank owned life insurance (BOLI) increased to $17.7 million at March 31, 2016, from $15.6 million at December 31, 2015. The investment returns from the BOLI are utilized to recover a portion of the cost of providing benefit plans to our employees.

Total deposits increased to $818.7 million at March 31, 2016, from $811.3 million at December 31, 2015. Total non-maturity deposits grew to $554.8 million at March 31, 2016, from $551.3 million at December 31, 2015. In addition total certificates of deposit increased to $263.8 million at March 31, 2016, from $260.0 million at December 31, 2015.

Stockholders' equity increased by $2.0 million to $84.2 million at March 31, 2016, from $82.2 million at December 31, 2015. This increase reflects the $1.5 million of net income earned for the 2016 first quarter and a $764,000 increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the mark-to-market adjustment of the available-for-sale securities portfolio, net of $237,000 dividends declared.

The tangible equity to assets ratio increased to 8.31% at March 31, 2016, from 8.04% at December 31, 2015. The tangible book value per common share increased to $8.23 at March 31, 2016, from $8.02 at December 31, 2015.

Key Performance Ratios. Some of our key performance ratios are the return on average assets (ROA), the return on average equity (ROE) and the efficiency ratio. ROA was 0.63% for the 2016 first quarter compared to 0.33% for the 2015 first quarter. ROE was 6.97% for the 2016 first quarter, compared to 3.61% for the 2015 first quarter. The efficiency ratio (non-interest expenses as a percentage of net interest income plus non-interest income) improved to 80.74% for the 2016 first quarter compared to 91.30% for the 2015 first quarter. The efficiency ratio measures the proportion of net operating revenues that are absorbed by overhead expenses. We anticipate the efficiency ratio to improve as we continue to execute on the branch acquisition strategy and explore opportunities to increase operating leverage and gain efficiencies from our branch network.

Corporate and Investor Information. First South Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern and central North Carolina since 1902 and offers a variety of financial products and services to business and individual customers. The Bank operates through its main office headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, and has 30 full service branch offices located throughout eastern and central North Carolina. First South Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First South Bancorp, Inc.

The Bank also provides a full menu of leasing services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First South Leasing, LLC. In addition, under its First South Wealth Management division, the Bank makes securities brokerage services available through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer.

Additional investor information for the Company and the Bank may be accessed on our website at www.firstsouthnc.com.

The Company's common stock symbol as traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market is "FSBK".

Forward-Looking Statements. Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of changes in interest rates, the effects of competition, and including without limitation other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures. This press release and the accompanying Supplemental Financial Data contain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Management uses these "non-GAAP" measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. See the disclosures above and in the Supplemental Financial Data for reconciliations of any non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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(NASDAQ: FSBK)


    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

                                                                 March 31,              December 31,

                                                                                   2016                      2015
                                                                                   ----                      ----

    Assets                                                      (Unaudited)


    Cash and due from banks                                                 $17,729,075               $19,425,747

    Interest-bearing deposits with banks                                     18,385,994                18,565,521

    Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value                 213,011,148               248,294,725

    Investment securities held-to-maturity                                      508,746                   508,456

    Mortgage loans held for sale                                              2,489,873                 3,943,798


    Loans and leases held for investment                                    639,044,574               607,014,247

    Allowance for loan and lease losses                                     (8,135,054)              (7,866,523)
                                                                             ----------                ----------

               Net loans and leases held for investment                     630,909,520               599,147,724


    Premises and equipment, net                                              12,143,734                13,664,937

    Assets held for sale                                                      1,083,320                         -

    Other real estate owned                                                   5,956,092                 6,125,054

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                                     1,828,700                 2,369,300

    Accrued interest receivable                                               2,845,975                 2,874,506

    Goodwill                                                                  4,218,576                 4,218,576

    Mortgage servicing rights                                                 1,247,005                 1,265,589

    Identifiable intangible assets                                            1,824,432                 1,895,514

    Bank-owned life insurance                                                17,653,186                15,635,140

    Prepaid expenses and other assets                                         8,272,379                 8,348,385
                                                                              ---------                 ---------


              Total assets                                                 $940,107,755              $946,282,972
                                                                           ============              ============


    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity


    Deposits:

      Non-interest bearing demand                                          $164,244,311              $169,545,849

      Interest bearing demand                                               244,323,710               246,376,521

      Savings                                                               146,254,503               135,369,668

      Large denomination certificates of deposit                            119,229,985               116,299,196

      Other time deposits                                                   144,614,799               143,730,993
                                                                            -----------               -----------

              Total deposits                                                818,667,308               811,322,227


    Borrowings                                                               21,500,000                37,000,000

    Junior subordinated debentures                                           10,310,000                10,310,000

    Other liabilities                                                         5,451,329                 5,479,971
                                                                              ---------                 ---------

              Total liabilities                                             855,928,637               864,112,198
                                                                            -----------               -----------



    Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized;

       9,493,776 and 9,489,222 shares outstanding, respectively                  94,938                    94,892

    Additional paid-in capital                                               35,957,524                35,936,911

    Retained earnings                                                        44,914,635                43,691,073

    Accumulated other comprehensive income                                    3,212,021                 2,447,898
                                                                              ---------                 ---------

               Total stockholders' equity                                    84,179,118                82,170,774
                                                                             ----------                ----------


               Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                  $940,107,755              $946,282,972



    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

    (Unaudited)

                                                                     Three Months Ended

                                                                          March 31,
                                                                          ---------

                                                                                         2016       2015
                                                                                         ----       ----


    Interest income:

      Interest and fees on loans                                                   $7,191,595 $5,934,518

      Interest on investments and deposits                                          1,480,252  1,829,978
                                                                                    ---------  ---------

               Total interest income                                                8,671,847  7,764,496
                                                                                    ---------  ---------


    Interest expense:

      Interest on deposits                                                            669,276    569,748

      Interest on borrowings                                                           73,086         95

      Interest on junior subordinated notes                                           140,039    138,500
                                                                                      -------    -------

               Total interest expense                                                 882,401    708,343
                                                                                      -------    -------


    Net interest income                                                             7,789,446  7,056,153

    Provision for credit losses                                                       225,000          -

               Net interest income after provision for credit losses                7,564,446  7,056,153
                                                                                    ---------  ---------


    Non-interest income:

      Deposit fees and service charges                                              1,907,407  1,872,195

      Loan fees and charges                                                            56,985     53,148

      Mortgage loan servicing fees                                                    234,001    238,742

      Gain on sale and other fees on mortgage loans                                   413,861    384,985

      Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate, net                                  (12,168)    45,867

      Gain on sale of investment securities                                           283,514    250,781

      Other income                                                                    692,285    334,144
                                                                                      -------    -------

               Total non-interest income                                            3,575,885  3,179,862
                                                                                    ---------  ---------


    Non-interest expense:

      Compensation and fringe benefits                                              5,039,954  4,733,622

      Federal deposit insurance premiums                                              161,609    133,243

      Premises and equipment                                                        1,373,809  1,373,927

      Advertising                                                                     187,818    162,684

      Data processing                                                                 796,487  1,106,845

      Amortization of intangible assets                                               131,527    127,459

      Other real estate owned expense                                                  93,674    206,742

      Other                                                                         1,321,048  1,409,722
                                                                                    ---------  ---------

               Total non-interest expense                                           9,105,926  9,254,244
                                                                                    ---------  ---------


    Income before income tax expense                                                2,034,405    981,771

    Income tax expense                                                                573,611    256,694
                                                                                      -------    -------


    NET INCOME                                                                     $1,460,794   $725,077
                                                                                   ==========   ========



    Net income per common share

      Basic                                                                             $0.15      $0.08

      Diluted                                                                           $0.15      $0.08

    Dividends per share                                                                $0.025     $0.025

    Average basic shares outstanding                                                9,491,201  9,570,820

    Average diluted shares outstanding                                              9,514,797  9,590,979



    First South Bancorp, Inc.                                                                      Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                               Quarter to Date
                                                                                                                               ---------------

                                                                                    3/31/2016                  12/31/2015                     9/30/2015                6/30/2015                  3/31/2015
                                                                                    ---------                  ----------                     ---------                ---------                  ---------

                                                                                                       (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Consolidated balance sheet data:
    --------------------------------

    Total assets                                                                               $940,108                       $946,283                     $913,368                   $899,390                     $879,215


    Loans held for sale:                                                                         $2,490                         $3,944                       $4,029                     $6,171                       $7,947


    Loans held for investment (HFI):

                                                Mortgage                                           $73,412                        $71,866                      $71,148                    $68,812                      $66,957

                                                Commercial                            482,779                      454,877                        419,784                   399,734                     346,326

                                                Consumer                               64,521                       63,036                         61,934                    62,265                      62,756

                                                Leases                                              18,333                         17,235                       14,438                     12,825                       12,637


                                                    Total loans held for investment   639,045                      607,014                        567,304                   543,636                     488,676

    Allowance for loan and lease losses                                                         (8,135)                       (7,867)                     (7,570)                   (7,364)                     (7,203)
                                                                                                 ------                         ------                       ------                     ------                       ------

    Net loans held for investment                                                              $630,910                       $599,147                     $559,734                   $536,272                     $481,473


    Cash & interest bearing deposits                                                            $36,115                        $37,991                      $42,686                    $36,600                      $59,641

    Investment securities                                                                       213,520                        248,803                      248,861                    260,628                      272,990

    Premises and equipment                                                                       12,144                         13,665                       15,290                     15,246                       15,481

    Goodwill                                                                                      4,219                          4,219                        4,219                      4,219                        4,219

    Identifiable intangible asset                                                                 1,824                          1,896                        1,967                      2,039                        2,111

    Mortgage servicing rights                                                                     1,247                          1,266                        1,229                      1,213                        1,160


    Deposits:

    Non-interest checking                                                                      $164,244                       $169,546                     $157,609                   $158,929                     $147,946

    Interest checking                                                                           171,323                        173,934                      167,673                    169,736                      180,114

    Money market                                                                                 73,000                         72,442                       68,443                     69,646                       84,379

    Savings                                                                                     146,255                        135,370                      133,570                    131,078                      123,457

    Certificates                                                                                263,845                        260,030                      256,016                    243,480                      248,129
                                                                                                -------                        -------                      -------                    -------                      -------

                                                Total deposits                       $818,667                     $811,322                       $783,311                  $772,869                    $784,025


    Borrowings                                                                                  $21,500                        $37,000                      $33,000                    $32,000                           $0

    Junior subordinated debentures                                                               10,310                         10,310                       10,310                     10,310                       10,310

    Stockholders' equity                                                                         84,179                         82,171                       81,623                     79,687                       80,968


    Consolidated earnings summary:
    ------------------------------

    Interest income                                                                              $8,672                         $8,569                       $8,217                     $7,901                       $7,764

    Interest expense                                                                                882                            841                          794                        712                          708
                                                                                                    ---                            ---                          ---                        ---                          ---

    Net interest income                                                                           7,790                          7,728                        7,423                      7,189                        7,056

    Provision for credit losses                                                                     225                            325                          335                        140                            0

    Noninterest income                                                                            3,576                          3,736                        3,766                      3,616                        3,180

    Noninterest expense                                                                           9,106                          9,087                        9,007                      9,026                        9,254
                                                                                                  -----                          -----                        -----                      -----                        -----

    Income before taxes                                                                           2,035                          2,052                        1,847                      1,639                          982

    Income tax expense                                                                              574                            484                          610                        485                          257
                                                                                                    ---                            ---                          ---                        ---                          ---

    Net income                                                                                   $1,461                         $1,568                       $1,237                     $1,154                         $725
                                                                                                 ======                         ======                       ======                     ======                         ====


    Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision operating
    ----------------------------------------

     earnings (non-GAAP):
     --------------------

    Income before taxes                                                                          $2,035                         $2,052                       $1,847                     $1,639                         $982

    Provision for credit losses                                                                     225                            325                          335                        140                            0
                                                                                                    ---                            ---                          ---                        ---                          ---

    Pre-tax pre-provision net income                                                              2,260                          2,377                        2,182                      1,779                          982

    Securities (gains) losses, net                                                                (284)                         (463)                       (503)                     (201)                       (251)

    OREO valuations                                                                                   7                            100                           10                         41                           44

    OREO (gains) losses, (net)                                                                       12                           (30)                          63                       (27)                        (46)
                                                                                                    ---                            ---                          ---                        ---                          ---

    Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision operating

                                                earnings (non-GAAP)                    $1,995                       $1,984                         $1,752                    $1,592                        $729



    Per Share Data:
    ---------------

    Basic earnings per share                                                                      $0.15                          $0.17                        $0.13                      $0.12                        $0.08

    Diluted earnings per share                                                                    $0.15                          $0.16                        $0.13                      $0.12                        $0.08

    Dividends per share                                                                          $0.025                         $0.025                       $0.025                     $0.025                       $0.025

    Book value per share                                                                          $8.87                          $8.66                        $8.60                      $8.38                        $8.50

    Tangible book value per share                                                                 $8.23                          $8.02                        $7.95                      $7.73                        $7.83


    Average basic shares                                                                      9,491,201                      9,489,222                    9,500,885                  9,526,656                    9,570,820

    Average diluted shares                                                                    9,514,797                      9,513,916                    9,520,943                  9,546,235                    9,590,979




    First South Bancorp, Inc.                                                                   Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                            Quarter to Date
                                                                                                                            ---------------

                                                                                    3/31/2016                  12/31/2015                     9/30/2015                6/30/2015                  3/31/2015
                                                                                    ---------                  ----------                     ---------                ---------                  ---------

                                                                                                    (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Performance ratios (tax equivalent):
    ------------------------------------

    Yield on average earning assets                                                               4.05%                         4.03%                       4.01%                     4.02%                       3.97%

    Cost of interest bearing liabilities                                                          0.52%                         0.49%                       0.48%                     0.45%                       0.44%
                                                                                                   ----                           ----                         ----                       ----                         ----

    Net interest spread                                                                           3.53%                         3.54%                       3.53%                     3.57%                       3.53%

    Net interest margin                                                                           3.64%                         3.64%                       3.63%                     3.67%                       3.62%

    Avg earning assets to total avg assets                                                       92.20%                        92.19%                      91.65%                    91.33%                      91.26%


    Return on average assets (annualized)                                                         0.63%                         0.67%                       0.54%                     0.53%                       0.33%

    Return on average equity (annualized)                                                         6.97%                         7.52%                       5.99%                     5.66%                       3.61%

    Efficiency ratio                                                                             80.74%                        81.41%                      82.26%                    83.71%                      91.30%


    Average assets                                                                             $938,702                       $930,978                     $904,017                   $877,480                     $879,223

    Average earning assets                                                                     $865,463                       $858,243                     $828,538                   $801,396                     $802,387

    Average equity                                                                              $84,265                        $82,713                      $81,975                    $81,799                      $81,446


    Equity/Assets                                                                                 8.95%                         8.68%                       8.94%                     8.86%                       9.21%

    Tangible Equity/Assets                                                                        8.31%                         8.04%                       8.26%                     8.16%                       8.49%


    Asset quality data and ratios:
    ------------------------------

    Nonaccrual loans:

                                                Non-TDR nonaccrual loans

                                                  Earning                                             $945                           $985                         $799                       $990                         $858

                                                  Non-Earning                             895                          710                            964                       806                       1,158


                                                     Total Non-TDR nonaccrual loans    $1,840                       $1,695                         $1,763                    $1,796                      $2,016


                                                TDR nonaccrual loans

                                                   Past Due TDRs                         $847                       $1,343                         $1,250                    $1,065                      $1,206

                                                   Current TDRs                           154                          159                            463                     1,459                       1,194


                                                      Total TDR nonaccrual loans       $1,001                       $1,502                         $1,713                    $2,524                      $2,400


    Total nonaccrual loans                                                                       $2,841                         $3,197                       $3,476                     $4,320                       $4,416

    Loans >90 days past due, still accruing                                                         153                            115                          183                        248                            0

    Other real estate owned                                                                       5,956                          6,125                        6,506                      7,009                        7,082
                                                                                                  -----                          -----                        -----                      -----                        -----

    Total nonperforming assets                                                                   $8,950                         $9,437                      $10,165                    $11,577                      $11,498
                                                                                                 ======                         ======                      =======                    =======                      =======


    Allowance for loan and lease losses to

                                                loans held for investment               1.27%                       1.30%                         1.33%                    1.35%                      1.47%


    Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                                                  $(44)                           $28                         $129                      $(21)                        $317

    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to total loans                                                  -0.01%                         0.00%                       0.02%                     0.00%                       0.06%

    Total nonaccrual loans to total loans HFI                                                     0.44%                         0.53%                       0.61%                     0.79%                       0.90%

    Total nonperforming assets to total assets                                                    0.95%                         1.00%                       1.11%                     1.29%                       1.31%

    Total loans to total deposits                                                                78.36%                        75.30%                      72.94%                    71.14%                      63.34%

    Total loans to total assets                                                                  68.24%                        64.56%                      62.55%                    61.13%                      56.48%

    Loans serviced for others                                                                  $293,548                       $297,494                     $297,764                   $300,801                     $301,482



    For more information contact:

    Bruce Elder (CEO)                (252) 940-4936

    Scott McLean (CFO)               (252) 940-5016

    Website: www.firstsouthnc.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-south-bancorp-inc-reports-march-31-2016-quarterly-operating-results-300251850.html

SOURCE First South Bancorp, Inc.