ALMA, Mich., July 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thomas R. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank Corporation (Nasdaq:FBMI), announced net income of $937,000 for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $62,000 for the second quarter of 2009, with net income available to common shareholders of $525,000 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to negative $351,000 in the second quarter of 2009. Earnings per share were $0.07 in the second quarter of 2010 compared to a loss of $0.04 in the second quarter of 2009. Returns on average assets and average equity for the second quarter of 2010 were 0.26% and 2.7%, respectively, compared to 0.03% and 0.3% respectively in the second quarter of 2009.

Earnings comparisons to the year-ago quarterly period were impacted by a one-time FDIC insurance assessment expense in the second quarter of 2009. Ongoing FDIC insurance expense, provision expense, and other credit and collection expense continue at elevated levels. Provision expense in the second quarter of 2010 was $3,066,000, up 23.1% from the first quarter of 2010 but 41.9% lower than in the second quarter of 2009. The provision expense of $3,066,000 in the second quarter of 2010 exceeded net charge-offs in the quarter of $2,599,000 as management continued to build the level of reserves for loan losses.

For the first half of 2010, net income of $1,596,000 was 1.3% higher than in the first half of 2009, although net income available to common declined to $771,000 in the first six months of 2010 versus $887,000 for the same period in 2009. Earnings per share were $0.10 in the first half of 2010 compared to $0.12 in the year-ago first half. Provision expense of $5,557,000 in the first half of 2010 exceeded net charge-offs of $4,083,000, and the provision expense was 19% lower than in the first half of 2009.

Expense control efforts continued. Comparing the second quarter of 2010 with the second quarter of 2009, salaries and employee benefits expense decreased 5.4% and occupancy and equipment expense declined 10.5%. The sale of 1st Armored in the first quarter of 2010, while having little impact on net income, also helped to reduce expenses.

Firstbank's net interest margin was 3.82% in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 3.77% in both the first quarter of 2010 and the second quarter of 2009. Some of Firstbank's affiliate banks have begun to pay off higher rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances upon their maturities, helping to reduce funding costs. Core deposits have increased, providing a lower cost source of funding. Also, strategies employed during 2009 aimed at incorporating floors on variable rate loans and re-pricing deposits upon renewal at currently competitive rates, have resulted in the improvement in margin. The improvement in margin helped net interest income in the second quarter of 2010 increase 2.8% compared to the first quarter of 2010 and increase 6.8% from the second quarter of 2009.

Mortgage gains, particularly from refinances, were strong in 2009, but both refinance and purchase money mortgage business were very slow in the first quarter of 2010. However, the second quarter of 2010 saw some improvement. Gain on sale of mortgage loans increased to $726,000 in the second quarter of 2010, 96.2% above the level in the first quarter of 2010. In spite of this improvement in the quarter, for the first half of 2010, mortgage gains were 80% lower than in the first half of 2009.

The category of other non-interest income in the second quarter of 2010 showed decreases from both the first quarter of 2010 and from the second quarter of 2009. These decreases are more than explained by the absence of 1st Armored and 1st Title in the consolidated results.

Total assets of Firstbank Corporation at June 30, 2010, were $1.477 billion, an increase of 3.5% over the year-ago period. Total portfolio loans of $1.083 billion were 4.2% below the year-ago level. Commercial and commercial real estate loans decreased 2.5% over this twelve month period, and real estate construction loans decreased 11.2%. Residential mortgage and consumer loans also decreased. The strong mortgage refinance activity in 2009 resulted in loans being financed in the secondary market rather than on the balance sheet of the company. While Firstbank has ample capital and funding resources to increase loans on its balance sheet, demand for funds for new ventures by quality borrowers remains weak due to uncertainty about the economy. Total deposits as of June 30, 2010, were $1.162 billion, compared to $1.056 billion at June 30, 2009, an increase of 10.0%. Core deposits increased $107 million or 10.7% over the year-ago level.

Mr. Sullivan stated, "We continue to focus attention on managing credits and making adjustments in the operations of our company while we wait hopefully for improvement in economic activity. As many businesses and homeowners remain under economic stress, we saw an uptick in net charge-offs in the most recent quarter, although not to an amount above the year-ago level. There continues to be a lack of demand in our markets from borrowers with good credit credentials who are optimistically planning to invest in new projects that have good financial prospects. We continue to have abundant capacity and willingness to make good loans. However, the shrinkage of the loan portfolio results in increased holdings of cash and short term securities with very low investment yields.

"Our efforts to streamline our company by moving out of non-core activities, like title insurance and armored car services, are favorably impacting our expense levels and enabling management to focus on more significant issues. We are also capitalizing on opportunities, related to changes in our business volumes and technology, to reduce personnel and other operating expenses. While recognizing these opportunities, we also are mindful of the importance of our highly capable and motivated staff serving our customers, and our Compensation Committee continues to monitor and adjust compensation programs in accordance with its Compensation Philosophy.

"We continue to have success with our retail strategies and branch network, positioning ourselves well both currently and for the future. Core deposits continue to grow, increasing 0.5% in the second quarter and 10.7% over the past year. Construction is nearly complete on our new branch facility in DeWitt and we are beginning construction on a replacement facility for one of our high volume locations in Mt. Pleasant."

At June 30, 2010, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans increased to 1.90%, compared to 1.70% at December 31, 2009, and 1.48% at June 30, 2009. The ratio of allowance for loan loss to non-performing loans stood at 55% on June 30, 2010, compared to 47% at December 31, 2009, and 63% at June 30, 2009.

Net charge-offs were $2,599,000 in the second quarter of 2010, higher than the $1,484,000 in the first quarter of 2010, but reduced from the $2,736,000 amount in the second quarter of 2009. In the second quarter of 2010, net charge-offs annualized represented 0.95% of average loans. For the first half of 2010, net charge-offs annualized represented 0.74% of average loans, compared to 0.84% in the first half of 2009. The ratio of non-performing loans (including loans past due over 90 days) to loans stood at 3.43% on June 30, 2010, compared to 3.23% on March 31, 2010 and 3.66% as of December 31, 2009.

Total equity was slightly higher at June 30, 2010, compared to both the levels at December 31, 2009, and June 30, 2009. The ratio of average equity to average assets was 9.8% in both the first and second quarters of 2010, compared to 10.5% in the second quarter of 2009. All of Firstbank Corporation's affiliate banks continue to meet regulatory well-capitalized requirements.

Firstbank Corporation, headquartered in Alma, Michigan, is a bank holding company using a multi-bank-charter format with assets of $1.5 billion and 51 banking offices serving Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Bank subsidiaries include: Firstbank - Alma; Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant); Firstbank - West Branch; Firstbank - St. Johns; Keystone Community Bank; and Firstbank - West Michigan.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "hopeful," "potential," "should," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future business growth, changes in interest rates, loan charge-off rates, demand for new loans, the performance of restructured loans, and the resolution of problem loans. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services, interest rates and fees for services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.