CANFIELD, Ohio (July 21, 2006) ° Farmers National Banc Corp. (OTC BB: FMNB), today reported
net income for the three months ended June 30, 2006 of $1.888 million, compared with $1.962
million in the preceding quarter and $1.995 million in the prior-year quarter. Diluted earnings
per share were $0.15 for the current quarter compared with $0.15 for the preceding quarter and
$0.15 for the second quarter in 2005.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, Farmers National Banc Corp. recorded net income of
$3.850 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $4.169 million, or $0.32 per diluted
share in net income for the first six months of 2005. Annualized returns on average assets and
average equity equate to .94% and 10.33% respectively, compared to 1.02% and 10.77% at this
same time in 2005.
The companyØs total assets ended the second quarter of 2006 at $820.2 million, compared to
$832.5 million in total assets recorded at June 30, 2005, and $827.1 million in assets as of
the end of 2005. Net loans, which represent 62% of total assets, were $504.8 million at
June 30, 2006, up 2.7% over the $491.8 million in net loans at June 30, 2005, but slightly
less than the $506 million in net loans reported at the year-end 2005. While total loans
remain relatively flat over the past twelve months, there have been significant increases
in the commercial real estate loan portfolio and corresponding decreases in the consumer
(indirect automobile) loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans have historically provided
better yield and stronger credit quality than indirect automobile loans for the Corporation.
Commenting on these results, Frank L. Paden, President & CEO said, ²Our earnings performance
in the second quarter was slightly below our projections. This can be attributable to the lack
of growth in the volume of earning assets and our continued battle with compression of our net
interest margin. Competition within our geographic footprint remains very aggressive both for
loans and deposits. We have made some strategic decisions to improve on both the growth and
margin issues, but our efforts will take some time to be recognized in our financial results.
Given the flat yield curve and additional rate increases in the near future, pressure on the
net interest margin is expected to continue. On a positive note, we experienced some strong
increases in non-interest income and operating expenses have actually decreased during the
first six months of the year.Ó
Net Interest Income --- Net interest income was $6.039 million for the second quarter of 2006,
which compares to $6.154 million in the preceding quarter and $6.896 million in the second
quarter of 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the net interest income was $12.2
million compared to $13.8 million for the same six-month period in 2005. The annualized net
interest income to average earning assets on a fully taxable equivalent basis was 3.38% for the
six months ended June 30, 2006, compared to 3.76% in 2005.
Non-Interest Income --- Non-interest income from operations, including gains on the sale of
securities, was $1.331 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared to $1.293 million in the
preceding quarter and $929 thousand in the second quarter in 2005. For the six month period
ended June 30, 2006, non-interest income was $2.624 million, an increase of $489 thousand, or
22.9% over the $2.135 million reported for the first six months in 2005. This growth in
noninterest income is primarily the result of a $210 thousand increase in security gains and a
$158 thousand increase in deposit account income.
Operating Expenses --- Non-interest expenses totaled $4.889 million for the second quarter of
2006, which compares to $5.165 million for the second quarter of 2005 and $4.763 million for the
first quarter of 2006. For the six months ended, operating expenses decreased 3.91% from $10.045
million in 2005 to $9.652 million at June 30, 2006. Most of this decrease is the result of a $171
decline in salaries and employee benefits and a $124 decrease in occupancy and equipment expense.
The companyØs efficiency ratio for the first six months of 2006 was 66.93%, as compared to 63.75%
in the prior yearØs same six-month period.
Asset Quality --- As of June 30, 2006, non-performing loans were $1.884 million or .37% of total
loans, compared to $1.908 million or .38% of total loans at this same time in 2005. On June 30,
2006, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses (ALLL) to non-performing loans was 310%, compared
to 322% in June 2005. The provision for loan losses was $60 thousand for the second quarter of
2006 and $170 thousand for the first six months of this year. The annualized net charge off/average
loan ratio for the period ending June 30, 2006 is .07%, improving from .11% at this same time in 2005.
Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory guidelines, the company
uses a systematic methodology to estimate its allowance for loan losses. The methodology takes
into consideration not only charge-offs but also the quality of the companyØs loans and the types
and amounts of loans comprising the loan portfolio, while considering adjustments and estimates
based on various environmental factors. As of June 30, 2006, the ALLL/total loan ratio was 1.15%
compared to 1.24% at the end of the second quarter of 2005.
Farmers National Banc Corp., is the bank holding company for the Farmers National Bank of Canfield.
Farmers operates sixteen banking offices throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties.
The bank offers a wide range of banking and investment services to companies and individuals, and
maintains a website at www.fnbcanfield.com.
This earnings announcement presents a brief analysis of the assets and liability structure of the
Corporation and a brief discussion of the results of operations for each of the periods presented.
Certain statements in this announcement that relate to Farmers National Banc Corp.'s plans, objectives,
or future performance may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations.
Actual strategies and results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected
because of various risks and uncertainties.
Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are asset quality,
interest rates, changes in the mix of the companyØs business, competitive pressures, general economic
conditions and the risk factors detailed in the companyØs other periodic reports and registration
statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
