Legacy Bancorp, Inc. (the ?Company? or ?Legacy?) (NASDAQ: LEGC), the holding company for Legacy Banks (the ?Bank?), today reported a net loss of $4.5 million or $0.57 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.48 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. For all of 2010 the Company incurred a net loss of $7.9 million, or $0.99 per share, as compared to a net loss of $7.8 million, or $0.98 per share in 2009. The year to date change in net loss includes a decrease in the loss on the sale of securities and charges on investments deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI), offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses and operating expenses and a decrease in net interest margin. The 2010 fourth quarter and full year loss also include a charge of $1.5 million on the prepayment of approximately $34.7 million of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). The total shares outstanding resulted in a book value per share and tangible book value per share of $12.92 and $11.17, respectively, at December 31, 2010.

J. Williar Dunlaevy, Chief Executive Officer, commented, ?The fourth quarter concluded a pivotal and transitional year for Legacy Bancorp and sets the stage for improved performance and dynamic change for our company, customers, employees and community. In April, following a national search, Pat Sullivan joined us as President of the company and President & CEO of Legacy Banks. On the operating side, Pat quickly moved to put in place a profit improvement plan. He also quickly assumed the reins as chief lending officer and aggressively worked to resolve problem assets and remove risk from the balance sheet, which unfortunately overshadowed the profitability improvements.

?On the more strategic front, we worked with the board on how best to create long term shareholder value. The conclusion was the decision announced in December to join forces with Berkshire Hills Bancorp, our long term in-market competitor, to create a dynamic regional community bank building on the financial strength and talent of each company.?

Patrick J. Sullivan, President, added, ?My first year has been primarily focused on improving all measures of asset quality as well as addressing cost management throughout the bank. 2010 is reflective of all those actions. Our recently announced merger with Berkshire Hills Bancorp creates further opportunities for building a strong Western Mass based financial institution.?

The Company's total assets decreased by $29.4 million, or 3.1%, from $946.3 million at December 31, 2009 to $916.9 million at December 31, 2010. Within the overall asset balances, the gross loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, decreased by $47.5 million, or 7.2%, in 2010. Residential mortgages have decreased $8.9 million, or 3.1%, as the majority of the residential mortgage activity was in the 30 year fixed rate category, a product which the Bank currently sells in the secondary market with servicing retained, while Home Equity Lines of Credit increased by $4.7 million, or 6.8%. Commercial real estate loans decreased $38.9 million, or 14.7%, primarily due to loan payoffs and specific loan charge-offs during the year. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2010 management decided to reduce the Banks portfolio of out of market commercial real estate loans by executing the sale of approximately $16.2 million of these loans. The available-for-sale investment portfolio increased by $18.3 million, or 10.9%, while cash and cash equivalents decreased by $13.1 million, or 32.5%, at December 31, 2010 as compared to the prior year end.

Deposits have increased by $33.9 million, or 5.2%, to $685.2 million from a balance of $651.4 million at December 31, 2009. The Company had increases in most deposit categories, with the largest increase in relationship savings balances which increased $16.8 million, or 13.4%. Money market accounts and certificates of deposit also experienced good growth in 2010, increasing $5.5 million, or 8.8%, and $8.4 million, or 2.9%, respectively. As part of a strategy to improve net interest margin (NIM) going forward, the Bank prepaid approximately $34.7 million of FHLB advances during the fourth quarter of 2010. This prepayment along with other maturities throughout the year reduced the balance of FHLB advances by $55.0 million, or 34.3%, at December 31, 2010 as compared to the end of 2009.

Overall stockholders' equity decreased by $9.8 million, or 8.1%, in 2010 as equity was impacted by the net loss of $7.9 million, the declaration of a dividend of $0.05 per share during each quarter of 2010, a decrease in the unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities and the purchase of 104,000 shares of stock at an average price of $8.57 per share as part of the Stock Repurchase Program announced in March 2009. These decreases to equity were partially offset by the amortization of unearned compensation.

Total nonperforming assets (NPAs) were $15.0 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $5.8 million as compared to the end of 2009. This decrease was primarily the result of the Bank charging off $12.6 million of loan balances, $4.3 million of which had been reserved for prior to 2010. These charge-offs also reduced the overall ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets to 1.63% at December 31, 2010 as compared to 2.20% at December 31, 2009. Total NPAs include $2.2 million of other real estate owned (OREO) as of December 31, 2010 as compared to $1.2 million at the end of 2009.

The provision for loan losses was $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, with a portion attributable to the out of market commercial real estate loans sold during the quarter. The quarterly provision represents a decrease of $431,000 as compared to the same period in 2009. Through December 31, 2010 the provision expense was $10.5 million, which represents an increase of $5.6 million as compared to 2009. This increase reflected both the difference in the amount of and mix of the net change in loan balances in each period as well as higher specific reserves established against certain loans in 2010. Additionally, as part of a continuous review and analysis of current market and economic conditions by management, the Company adjusted the reserve ratio applied to certain loan categories in 2010. The loan charge-offs also resulted in the reduction in the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans to 1.47% at December 31, 2010, as compared to 1.67% at December 31, 2009.

The Company's net interest income decreased by $355,000, or 5.3%, in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 and by $1.1 million, or 3.9%, for all of 2010 as compared to 2009. The NIM was 2.90% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of 13 basis points from the third quarter of 2010, and a decrease of 15 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2009. For all of 2010, the NIM was 3.05% as compared to 3.13% in 2009 as decreases to the cost of funds resulting from the Bank's diligent efforts in lowering deposit costs were offset by a decrease in asset yields.

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter decreased $157,000 from the same period of 2009. Year to date, non-interest income totaled $3.2 million as compared to a net charge of $4.6 million for 2009. The primary cause of the improvement year to date was the decrease in the amount of writedowns taken on investments deemed to be OTTI as well as an increase in the net gain on the sale of investment securities. The Company recorded $3.9 million of OTTI credit losses on certain limited partnership and equity investments during 2010 as compared to a charge of $7.2 million on certain bonds, equities and limited partnership investments in 2009. Similarly, the Company recorded a net gain of $2.0 million on the sale of investments in 2010 as compared to a net loss of $3.0 million in 2009. The Company also incurred a charge of $1.5 million in the forth quarter of 2010 related to the prepayment of certain FHLB advances. Portfolio management fees increased $961,000, or 95.4%, as a result of Legacy's acquisition of the Renaissance Investment Group, LLC in the second quarter of 2010. Legacy also had increases in customer fees and insurance and other fees, partially offset by a decrease on the gain on sale of mortgages.

Operating expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 18.7%, for the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009, and by $2.2 million, or 7.7%, year to date. Salaries and benefits were impacted by severance and other management restructuring expenses of approximately $494,000 in the twelve month period ending December 31, 2010. Full year increases in data processing expenses were partially offset by decreases in FDIC deposit insurance, occupancy and advertising expense. The increase in professional fees in 2010 is primarily the result of the Company incurring $473,000 related to the merger transaction with Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. announced in December 2010. The increase in other general and administration expenses was primarily due to higher expenses related to OREO and other commercial real estate workout expenses of $528,000 and $972,000 for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2010, respectively, as compared to $142,000 and $163,000 in the same periods of 2009. Other general and administrative expenses also include $40,000 and $107,000 for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2010, respectively, in amortization of intangibles acquired as part of the Company's acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Renaissance. The Company's core efficiency ratio (reported efficiency ratio net of effect of non-core adjustments) for the quarter has increased to 93.1% as compared to 85.0% in the fourth quarter of 2009 primary due to the decrease in net investment income and the increase in operating expenses. Year to date the core efficiency ratio has increased to 90.4% in 2010 from 83.7% in 2009.

CONFERENCE CALL

J. Williar Dunlaevy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick J. Sullivan, President, and Paul H. Bruce, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday January 27, 2011. Persons wishing to access the conference call may do so by dialing 877-407-0778. Replays of the conference call will be available beginning January 27, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) through February 27, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) by dialing 877-660-6853 and using Account #286 and Conference ID #364753 (both numbers are needed to access the replay).

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements herein constitute ?forward-looking statements? within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management, as well as the assumptions made using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a result, actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like ?believe,? ?expect,? ?anticipate,? ?estimate,? and ?intend? or future or conditional verbs such as ?will,? ?would,? ?should,? ?could? or ?may.? Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the businesses in which Legacy Bancorp is engaged and changes in the securities market. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release and the associated conference call. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as core efficiency ratio, provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying financial tables, elsewhere in this report.

LEGACY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
  December 31,   December 31,
2010 2009
ASSETS (Unaudited)
Cash and due from banks $ 12,186 $ 11,281
Short-term investments   14,906     28,874  
Cash and cash equivalents 27,092 40,155
Securities - Available for sale 185,688 167,426
Securities - Held to maturity 97 97
Restricted equity securities and other investments - at cost 16,546 17,193
Loans held for sale 3,839 706
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $9,010
in 2010 and $11,089 in 2009 607,102 652,628
Premises and equipment, net 19,142 19,568
Accrued interest receivable 2,631 3,306
Goodwill, net 11,558 9,730
Other intangible assets 3,625 2,654
Net deferred tax asset 12,684 10,202
Bank-owned life insurance 17,047 16,263
Foreclosed assets 2,216 1,195
Other assets   7,610     5,142  
$ 916,877   $ 946,265  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing $ 75,116 $ 75,232
Interest-bearing   610,129     576,146  
Total deposits 685,245 651,378
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 5,329 6,386
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 105,388 160,352
Mortgagors' escrow accounts 1,211 1,058
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   8,145     5,724  
Total liabilities   805,318     824,898  
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock ($.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares - -
authorized, none issued or outstanding)
Common Stock ($.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares
authorized and 10,308,600 issued at December 31, 2010 and
December 31, 2009; 8,631,732 outstanding at December 31,
2010 and 8,734,712 outstanding at December 31, 2009) 103 103
Additional paid-in-capital 103,168 102,788
Unearned Compensation - ESOP (6,956 ) (7,322 )
Unearned Compensation - Equity Incentive Plans (1,053 ) (2,078 )
Retained earnings 39,114 48,998
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (233 ) 711
Treasury stock, at cost (1,676,868 shares at December 31, 2010
and 1,573,888 shares at December 31, 2009)   (22,584 )   (21,833 )
Total stockholders' equity   111,559     121,367  
$ 916,877   $ 946,265  
LEGACY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
  Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
  2010       2009     2010       2009  
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans $ 8,687 $ 9,371 $ 36,014 $ 38,849
Securities:
Taxable 951 1,390 4,485 6,302
Tax-Exempt 32 167 442 656
Short-term investments   5     2     23     11  
Total interest and dividend income   9,675     10,930     40,964     45,818  
Interest expense:
Deposits 2,018 2,611 8,928 11,071
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 1,351 1,649 5,600 7,210
Other borrowed funds   6     15     30     67  
Total interest expense   3,375     4,275     14,558     18,348  
Net interest income 6,300 6,655 26,406 27,470
Provision for loan losses   2,118     2,549     10,468     4,883  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   4,182     4,106     15,938     22,587  
 
Non-interest income:
Customer service fees 751 730 2,967 2,870
Portfolio management fees 612 284 1,968 1,007
Income from bank owned life insurance 216 292 689 710
Insurance, annuities and mutual fund fees 70 45 173 129
Gain (loss) on sales of securities, net 451 (3,273 ) 2,024 (3,032 )
Impairment losses on securities, net (3,491 ) (571 ) (3,870 ) (7,235 )
Gain (loss) on sales of loans, net 358 135 607 860
Miscellaneous 44 45 116 78
FHLB prepayment penalty   (1,481 )   -     (1,481 )   -  
Total non-interest income (loss)   (2,470 )   (2,313 )   3,193     (4,613 )
Non-interest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits 3,819 3,411 14,797 13,754
Occupancy and equipment 956 919 3,912 3,921
Data processing 731 635 2,934 2,659
Professional fees 974 319 1,924 1,083
Advertising 97 333 1,047 1,405
FDIC deposit insurance 285 301 1,109 1,491
Other general and administrative   1,607     1,217     5,320     4,519  
Total non-interest expenses   8,469     7,135     31,043     28,832  
 
Loss before income taxes (6,757 ) (5,342 ) (11,912 ) (10,858 )
 
Benefit for income taxes   (2,260 )   (1,527 )   (4,016 )   (3,060 )
 
Net loss $ (4,497 ) $ (3,815 ) $ (7,896 ) $ (7,798 )
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic $ (0.57 ) $ (0.48 ) $ (0.99 ) $ (0.98 )
Diluted $ (0.57 ) $ (0.48 ) $ (0.99 ) $ (0.98 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 7,950,583 7,966,446 7,990,167 7,977,363
Diluted 7,950,583 7,966,446 7,990,167 7,977,363
LEGACY BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS AND OTHER DATA  
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
  Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2010   2009 2010 2009
Financial Highlights:
Net interest income $ 6,300 $ 6,655 $ 26,406 $ 27,470
Net income (loss) (4,497 ) (3,815 ) (7,896 ) (7,798 )
Per share data:
Earnings (loss) ? basic (0.57 ) (0.48 ) (0.99 ) (0.98 )
Earnings (loss) ? diluted (0.57 ) (0.48 ) (0.99 ) (0.98 )
Dividends declared 0.05 0.05 0.20 0.20
Book value per share ? end of period 12.92 13.89 12.92 13.89
Tangible book value per share ? end of period 11.17 12.48 11.17 12.48
Ratios and Other Information:
Return (loss) on average assets (1.89 ) % (1.61 ) % (0.84 ) % (0.82 ) %
Return (loss) on average equity (15.04 ) % (12.13 ) % (6.48 ) % (6.20 ) %
Net interest rate spread (1) 2.65 % 2.71 % 2.79 % 2.78 %
Net interest margin (2) 2.90 % 3.05 % 3.05 % 3.13 %
Efficiency ratio (3) 120.1 % 85.0 % 96.1 % 84.9 %
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities 115.98 % 117.24 % 115.86 % 116.87 %
At period end:
Stockholders' equity $ 111,559 $ 121,367
Total assets 916,877 946,265
Equity to total assets 12.2 % 12.8 %
Non-performing assets to total assets 1.63 % 2.20 %
Non-performing loans to total loans 2.07 % 2.96 %
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans 70.70 % 56.64 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.47 % 1.67 %
Number of full service offices 19 19
(1) The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on total average interest-earning assets and the cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(2) The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
(3) The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense for the period minus expenses related to the amortization of intangible assets other than the amortization of mortgage servicing rights, divided by the sum of net interest income (before the loan loss provision) and non-interest income (excluding net gains or losses on the sale or impairment of securities).

Analysis of Net Interest Margin – Fourth Quarter:

  Three Months Ended December 31, 2010   Three Months Ended December 31, 2009

Average
Outstanding
Balance

   Interest   Yield/ Rate(1)

Average
Outstanding
Balance

   Interest   Yield/ Rate(1)
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:        
Loans - net (2) $ 630,428 $ 8,687 5.51 % $ 658,100 $ 9,371 5.70 %
Investment securities 226,283 983 1.74 % 196,888 1,557 3.16 %
Short-term investments   13,430     5   0.15 %   17,088     2   0.05 %
Total interest-earning assets 870,141 9,675 4.45 % 872,076 10,930 5.01 %
Non-interest-earning assets   79,580   73,540
Total assets $ 949,721 $ 945,616
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings deposits $ 52,685 28 0.21 % $ 50,674 37 0.29 %
Relationship savings 141,432 214 0.61 % 125,059 355 1.14 %
Money market 65,181 87 0.53 % 63,813 139 0.87 %
NOW accounts 47,291 32 0.27 % 44,096 39 0.35 %
Certificates of deposit   296,302     1,657   2.24 %   289,687     2,041   2.82 %
Total interest-bearing deposits 602,891 2,018 1.34 % 573,329 2,611 1.82 %
Borrowed funds   147,368     1,357   3.68 %   170,523     1,664   3.90 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities 750,259 3,375 1.80 % 743,852 4,275 2.30 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   79,902   75,977
Total liabilities 830,161 819,829
Equity   119,560   125,787
Total liabilities and equity $ 949,721 $ 945,616
 
Net interest income $ 6,300 $ 6,655
 
Net interest rate spread (3) 2.65 % 2.71 %
Net interest-earning assets (4) $ 119,882 $ 128,224
 
Net interest margin (5) 2.90 % 3.05 %
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 115.98 % 117.24 %
 
(1) Yields and rates for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are annualized.
(2) Includes loans held for sale and non-accrual loans.
(3) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on total average interest-earning assets and the cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Analysis of Net Interest Margin – Year to date:

  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009

Average
Outstanding
Balance

   Interest   Yield/ Rate(1)

Average
Outstanding
Balance

   Interest   Yield/ Rate(1)
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:        
Loans - net (2) $ 641,498 $ 36,014 5.61 % $ 675,661 $ 38,849 5.75 %
Investment securities 209,559 4,927 2.35 % 181,642 6,958 3.83 %
Short-term investments   13,959     23   0.16 %   19,165     11   0.06 %
Total interest-earning assets 865,016 40,964 4.74 % 876,468 45,818 5.23 %
Non-interest-earning assets   79,219   73,378
Total assets $ 944,235 $ 949,846
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings deposits $ 52,076 125 0.24 % $ 50,724 170 0.34 %
Relationship savings 137,742 1,108 0.80 % 123,297 1,595 1.29 %
Money market 66,007 433 0.66 % 65,602 684 1.04 %
NOW accounts 45,647 131 0.29 % 43,527 173 0.40 %
Certificates of deposit   291,520     7,131   2.45 %   282,730     8,449   2.99 %
Total interest-bearing deposits 592,992 8,928 1.51 % 565,880 11,071 1.96 %
Borrowed funds   153,591     5,630   3.67 %   184,081     7,277   3.95 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities 746,583 14,558 1.95 % 749,961 18,348 2.45 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   75,848   74,007
Total liabilities 822,431 823,968
Equity   121,804   125,878
Total liabilities and equity $ 944,235 $ 949,846
 
Net interest income $ 26,406 $ 27,470
 
Net interest rate spread (3) 2.79 % 2.78 %
Net interest-earning assets (4) $ 118,433 $ 126,507
 
Net interest margin (5) 3.05 % 3.13 %
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 115.86 % 116.87 %
 
(1) Yields and rates for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are annualized.
(2) Includes loans held for sale and non-accrual loans.
(3) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on total average interest-earning assets and the cost of total average interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

Loan Portfolio Information:

At December 31, 2010:              
 
Portfolio Balance Nonperforming (NPAs) Troubled Debt Restructurings
% of Included Not Included
Amount   Percent Amount   Portfolio   In NPAs   In NPAs   Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Residential $ 276,765 45.02 % $ 4,176 1.51 % $ - $ 356 $ 356
Commercial - In market 174,621 28.40 8,128 4.65 2,451 1,568 4,019
Commercial - Out of market 50,406 8.20 - - - - -
Home equity 74,328   12.09   120   0.16   -   -   -
576,120   93.71   12,424   2.16   2,451   1,924   4,375
Other loans:
Commercial 28,123 4.58 315 1.12 - 174 174
Consumer and other 10,518   1.71   5   0.05   -   -   -
38,641   6.29   320   0.83   -   174   174
Total loans 614,761 100.00 % $ 12,744 2.07 % $ 2,451   $ 2,098   $ 4,549
Other Items:
Net deferred loan costs 1,351
Allowance for loan losses (9,010)
Total loans, net $ 607,102
Other information:
Other real estate owned (OREO) 2,216
Total nonperforming assets $ 14,960
Non-performing assets to total assets 1.63%
 
At December 31, 2009:
 
Portfolio Balance Nonperforming (NPAs) Troubled Debt Restructurings
% of Included Not Included
Amount   Percent Amount   Portfolio   In NPAs   In NPAs   Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Residential $ 285,618 43.12 % $ 4,822 1.69 % $ - $ - $ -
Commercial - In market 189,945 28.68 12,041 6.34 5,805 892 6,697
Commercial - Out of market 73,951 11.17 1,901 2.57 - 3,995 3,995
Home equity 69,625   10.51   70   0.10   -   -   -
619,139   93.48   18,834   3.04   5,805   4,887   10,692
Other loans:
Commercial 31,373 4.74 743 2.37 100 - 100
Consumer and other 11,791   1.78   1   0.01   -   -   -
43,164   6.52   744   1.72   100   -   100
Total loans 662,303 100.00 % $ 19,578 2.96 % $ 5,905   $ 4,887   $ 10,792
Other Items:
Net deferred loan costs 1,414
Allowance for loan losses (11,089)
Total loans, net $ 652,628
Other information:
Other real estate owned (OREO) 1,195
Total nonperforming assets $ 20,773
Non-performing assets to total assets 2.20%

Securities and Other Investment Portfolio Composition:

    At December 31, 2010   At December 31, 2009
Amortized Cost   Fair Value Amortized Cost   Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:  
Government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) $ 132,221 $ 131,624 $ 80,393 $ 79,976
Municipal bonds 3,145 3,145 17,521 17,875
Corporate bonds and other obligations 401 402 1,321 1,351
GSE residential mortgage-backed 6,370 6,594 29,591 30,503
U.S. Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed   42,775   42,967   33,625   33,636
Total debt securities   184,912   184,732   162,451   163,341
Marketable equity securities   888   956   3,239   4,085
Total securities available for sale   185,800   185,688   165,690   167,426
Securities held to maturity:        
Other bonds and obligations   97   97   97   97
Restricted equity securities and other investments:
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock 10,932 10,932 10,932 10,932
Savings Bank Life Insurance 1,709 1,709 1,709 1,709
Real estate partnerships 3,815 3,815 4,397 4,397
Other investments   90   90   155   155
Total restricted equity securities
and other investments   16,546   16,546   17,193   17,193
Total securities $ 202,443 $ 202,331 $ 182,980 $ 184,716

Deposit Accounts Composition:

  At December 31, 2010   At December 31, 2009
Balance   Percent Balance   Percent
(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit type:
Demand $ 75,116 10.96 % $ 75,232 11.55 %
Regular savings 53,504 7.81 49,883 7.66
Relationship savings 142,110 20.74 125,328 19.24
Money market deposits 68,611 10.01 63,077 9.68
NOW deposits   48,197 7.03     48,546 7.45  
Total transaction accounts   387,538 56.55     362,066 55.58  
Term certificates less than $100,000 162,408 23.70 174,284 26.76
Term certificates $100,000 or more   135,299 19.75     115,028 17.66  
Total certificate accounts   297,707 43.45     289,312 44.42  
Total deposits $ 685,245 100.00 % $ 651,378 100.00 %

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (?GAAP?). The Company's management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. These measures typically adjust GAAP performance measures to exclude significant gains or losses that are expected to be non-recurring. Because these items and their impact on the Company's performance are difficult to predict, management believes that presentations of financial measures excluding the impact of these items provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's core businesses. 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.

  Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2010   2009 2010   2009
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Income (loss) (GAAP) $ (4,497 ) $ (3,815 ) $ (7,896 ) $ (7,798 )
Less: (Gain) loss on sale or impairment of securities, net 3,040 3,844 1,846 10,267
Add: FHLB advance prepayment charge 1,481 - 1,481 -
Add: FDIC deposit insurance special assessment - - - 423
Add: Merger related expenses 473 - 473 -
Adjustment: Income taxes related to non-
recurring adjustments noted above (1,859 ) (1,173 ) (1,362 ) (3,261 )
Adjustment to deferred tax valuation reserves   255       1,409       516       1,409    
Net Income (loss) (Core) $ (1,107 )   $ 265     $ (4,942 )   $ 1,040    
Efficiency Ratio (As Reported) 120.1 % 85.0 % 96.1 % 84.9 %
Effect of gain or loss on sale or impairment of securities, net - - - -
Effect of FHLB advance prepayment charge (20.4 ) - (4.3 ) -
Effect of FDIC deposit insurance special assessment - - - (1.2 )
Effect of merger related expenses   (6.6 )     -       (1.4 )     -    
Efficiency Ratio (Core)   93.1   %   85.0   %   90.4   %   83.7   %

Legacy Bancorp, Inc.
Patrick J. Sullivan, 413-445-3409
President
pat.sullivan@legacybanks.com
or
Paul H. Bruce, 413-445-3513
Chief Financial Officer
paul.bruce@legacybanks.com