Gouverneur Bancorp Announces Fiscal 2016 First Quarter Results

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2016

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 the Company reported net income of $283,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, representing a decrease of $127,000, or 30.98%, below last year's net income of $410,000, or $0.18 per diluted share.  The annualized return on average assets decreased from 1.14% to 0.80% and the return on average equity decreased from 5.84% to 3.89% for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Total assets increased by $0.96 million, or 0.69% from $139.71 million at September 30, 2015 to $140.67 million at December 31, 2015.  Net loans increased $0.38 million, or 0.04%, to $104.93 million over the same period and securities available for sale increased  by $1.06 million, or 5.54%, to $20.26 million.

Commenting on the quarter's results, Mr. Charles C. Van Vleet, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Margins continue to compress as yields on earning assets continue to shift lower.  The Federal Reserve started raising rates during this quarter, which will put additional pressure on margins and profits.  We continue to have a strong capital position, allowing the Bank to perform at the top of its peer group."

Net interest income decreased $51,000, or 3.58%, from $1,423,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 to $1,372,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.  Interest income decreased $37,000, or 2.32%, while interest expense increased $14,000, or 8.05% over the same period.  Non-interest income decreased $19,000, or 6.11% to $292,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to $311,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.  An $11,000 decrease in service charge income was a primary factor in the fiscal 2016 first quarter net decrease.

Non-interest expense increased $52,000 from the first quarter of fiscal 2015 to the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Earnings expense on the deferred fees plan increased $39,000 while expenses associated with salaries and related employee benefits increased $29,000 for the period.

Non-performing loans were $3,254,000 at December 31, 2015 compared to $3,625,000 at September 30, 2015.  There was a $145,000 loan loss provision for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.  The allowance for loan losses was $1,019,000 or 0.97% of total gross loans outstanding at December 31, 2015.  Foreclosed real estate was $459,000 and $637,000 at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively.