VSB Bancorp, Inc. Fourth Quarter 2012 Results of Operations

STATEN ISLAND, NY--(Marketwire - Jan 9, 2013) - VSB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSBN) reported net income of $177,255 for the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of $14,587, or 9.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2011. The following unaudited figures were released today. Pre-tax income was $326,770 in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $265,668 for the fourth quarter of 2011. Net income for the quarter was $177,255, or basic income of $0.10 per common share, compared to a net income of $162,668, or $0.09 basic income per common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

The $14,587 increase in net income was due to a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $375,000, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $187,396, a decrease in non-interest income of $66,388, a decrease in net interest income of $60,114, and an increase in the provision for income taxes of $46,515. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was due to a $481,998 reduction in charge-offs when comparing the fourth quarter of 2012 to the fourth quarter of 2011. Overall, our allowance for loan losses increased and reached 2.13% of total loans at December 31, 2012, compared to 1.64% at December 31, 2011.

The $60,114 decrease in net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2012 occurred primarily because our interest income decreased by $77,449, while our cost of funds decreased by $17,335. The decline in interest income resulted from a $177,548 decrease in income from investment securities, due primarily to a 65 basis point decrease in average yield between the periods. The $88,066 increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to a 40 basis point increase in yield caused by a reduction in average non-performing loans from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012. Our average non-performing loans decreased $4.2 million, from $10.4 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2011, to $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The level of non-performing loans declined from $10.9 million at December 31, 2011 to $6.4 million at December 31, 2012.

Interest income from other interest earning assets (principally overnight investments) increased by $12,033 due principally to an $18.7 million increase in average balance from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012.

The most significant component of the decrease in interest expense was a $17,641 decrease in interest on time accounts as the average cost declined by 9 basis points due to a continuation of low market interest rates. Average demand deposits, an interest free source of funds for us to invest, increased from $75.9 million, or 35.3% of total deposits in the fourth quarter of 2011, to $84.0 million, or 35.8% of total deposits in the fourth quarter of 2012. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $11.9 million and average non-interest bearing deposits increased by $8.1 million, resulting in an overall $20.0 million increase in average total deposits from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012.

The average yield on interest-earning assets declined by 39 basis points, while the average cost of funds declined by 9 basis points, from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012. The reduction in the yield on assets was principally due to the 65 basis point drop in the yield on investment securities, as new securities were purchased at market rates significantly below the rates we had been earning on securities repaid or matured. This effect was partially offset by the 40 basis point rise in the yield on loans. The decline in the cost of funds was driven principally by a 9 basis point drop both in the cost of time deposits and NOW account deposits, and a 18 basis point drop in the cost of money market deposits, partially offset by a 12 basis point increase in the cost of saving account deposits. Our interest rate margin decreased by 34 basis points from 3.32% to 2.98% when comparing the fourth quarter of 2012 to the same quarter in 2011, while our interest rate spread decreased by 30 basis points from 3.07% to 2.77%. The spread and margin both decreased because of the combined effect of the decline in earnings we were able to obtain on our investments securities, the increased average balance of low yielding other interest-earning assets and the adverse effect of the non-receipt of interest received on non-performing loans. These declines could not be offset by corresponding declines in the cost of deposits because the rates we paid on deposits were already low due to low markets rates so that we could not reduce them as much as the decline in the earnings on investment securities. In addition, we continued to incur interest expense on deposits that funded the non-performing loans that did not earn interest.

Non-interest income decreased by $66,388 to $572,189 in the fourth quarter of 2012, from $638,577 for the same quarter in 2011, principally due to the waiving of service charges on deposits and loan late fees in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2012 with the same quarter in 2011, non-interest expense increased by $187,396, totaling $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Non-interest expense increased for various business reasons primarily including a $92,858 increase in occupancy expenses due to the one-time remediation costs at a branch damaged in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the retirement of certain fixed assets; and a $59,344 increase in other non-interest expenses due to increased collection costs, ATM fees and other real estate owned costs. We received insurance proceeds of $37,846 in the fourth quarter of 2011, which reduced occupancy expenses in the 2011 quarter. We also had increases of $15,500 in FDIC assessments due mainly to the growth of the deposit base; $13,979 in salary and employee benefit costs due to normal staff raises; and a $12,200 in professional fees because of increased costs and the hiring of a consultant.

For the year ended 2012, pre-tax income decreased to $2,190,314 from $2,628,511 for the year ended 2011, a decline of $438,197, or 16.7%. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1,188,200, or basic net income of $0.67 per common share, as compared to a net income of $1,444,451, or basic net income of $0.80 per common share, for the year ended December 31, 2011. The $256,251 reduction in net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was attributable principally to a $477,705 decrease in net interest income, a $157,387 increase in non-interest expenses and a $43,105 decrease in non-interest income, partially offset by a $240,000 decrease in the provision for loan losses. The increase in non-interest expense of $157,387 was due primarily to a $47,679 increase in professional fees due to higher costs and the hiring of a consultant; a $46,709 increase in occupancy expenses due primarily to 2012 remediation costs at a branch that sustained damage during Hurricane Sandy; a $44,463 increase in legal expenses due to a higher level of collections and a recovery of legal fees in 2011 previously expensed on a settled lawsuit; a $100,838 increase in other non-interest expenses due to OREO costs and increased costs of regulatory filings, loan collection costs and checkbook printing charges; and a $13,250 increase in director fees due to an increase in the number of meetings. These increases were partially offset by an $81,274 decrease in employee salary and benefit costs due to reduced staff, and a $14,278 decrease in computer expenses due to reduced contract expenses. Income tax expense decreased $181,946 due to the $438,197 decrease in pre-tax income.

The net interest margin decreased by 40 basis points from the year ended December 31, 2012 to 3.30% from 3.70% in the same period in 2011. Correspondingly, the spread decreased by 37 basis points from 3.45% to 3.08% between the periods. Average interest earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased by $14.0 million, or 6.0%, from the same period in 2011. However, the increase in average interest earning assets did not result in a corresponding increase in interest income. We elected to maintain a higher level of lower-yielding short term and overnight investments because of the extreme low yields on interest-earning securities that were available to us for purchase.

Total assets increased to $269.7 million at December 31, 2012, an increase of $27.9 million, or 11.5%, from December 31, 2011. The significant component of this increase was a $29.6 million increase in cash and other liquid assets. Total deposits, including escrow deposits, increased to $240.7 million, an increase of $27.5 million, or 12.9%. We had increases in demand and checking deposits of $9.4 million, $6.1 million in money market accounts, $5.6 million in time deposits, $3.7 million in savings deposits, and $2.8 million in NOW accounts from year end 2011. The Bancorp's Tier 1 capital ratio was 9.97% at December 31, 2012.

Raffaele (Ralph) M. Branca, VSB Bancorp, Inc.'s President and CEO, stated, "We have been affected by Hurricane Sandy as many other companies and residences on Staten Island. We waived deposit service charges and loan late fees to our customers that sustained damage due to the super storm. We are in the midst of restoring our Dongan Hills branch which was damaged by Sandy and we should reopen in the next few weeks." Joseph J. LiBassi, VSB Bancorp, Inc.'s Chairman, stated, "We have just paid our twenty-first consecutive dividend to our stockholders in 2012 in anticipation of federal tax changes in 2013. We have increased our deposit base by $27.5 million in 2012 and our book value per share stands at $15.55. Hurricane Sandy has hampered our quarterly earnings and its effects will be felt in 2013 as well. We have reached out to our customer base as we look for ways to assist them in their recovery efforts. This is another example of the highest quality personal service that we provide on Staten Island."

VSB Bancorp, Inc. is the one-bank holding company for Victory State Bank. Victory State Bank, a Staten Island based commercial bank, which commenced operations on November 17, 1997. The Bank's initial capitalization of $7.0 million was primarily raised in the Staten Island community. The Bancorp's total equity has increased to $27.8 million primarily through the retention of earnings. The Bank operates five full service locations in Staten Island: the main office in Great Kills, and branches on Forest Avenue (West Brighton), Hyatt Street (St. George), Hylan Boulevard (Dongan Hills) and on Bay Street (Rosebank). We announced our sixth branch location in Charleston/Tottenville section of Staten Island, subject to regulatory approval.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to adverse changes in local, regional or national economic conditions, fluctuations in market interest rates, changes in laws or government regulations, weaknesses of other financial institutions, changes in customer preferences, and changes in competition within our market area. When used in this release or in any other written or oral statements by the Company or its directors, officers or employees, words or phrases such as "will result in," "management expects that," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "projected," or similar expressions, and other terms used to describe future events, are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date of the statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. This statement is included for the express purpose of protecting the Company under the PSLRA's safe harbor provisions.

VSB Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
December 31, 2012
(unaudited)
						December 31,				December 31,
						2012				2011
Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents					$	77,728,426			$	48,107,673
	Investment securities, available for sale						106,825,570				108,500,489
	Loans receivable						81,971,571				81,910,990
		Allowance for loan loss					(1,753,521	)			(1,343,020	)
			Loans receivable, net				80,218,050				80,567,970
	Bank premises and equipment, net						2,097,356				2,332,727
	Accrued interest receivable						617,833				582,942
	Other assets						2,217,136				1,754,654
				Total assets		$	269,704,371			$	241,846,455
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Liabilities:
	Deposits:
		Demand and checking				$	81,881,173			$	72,507,555
		NOW					33,394,785				30,553,003
		Money market					33,023,373				26,909,220
		Savings					20,871,593				17,178,525
		Time					71,452,704				65,894,536
			Total Deposits				240,623,628				213,042,839
	Escrow deposits						77,578				180,066
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses						1,249,194				1,521,290
			Total liabilities				241,950,400				214,744,195
Stockholders' equity:
	Common stock, ($.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized 1,989,509 issued, 1,785,309 outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 1,797,809 outstanding at December 31, 2011)						199				199
	Additional paid in capital						9,257,167				9,304,789
	Retained earnings						19,336,280				18,574,651
	Treasury stock, at cost (204,200 shares at December 31, 2012 and 191,700 at December 31, 2011)						(2,068,898	)			(1,935,596	)
	Unearned ESOP shares						(225,438	)			(394,516	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive gain, net of taxes of $1,226,742 and $1,309,447, respectively						1,454,661				1,552,733
		Total stockholders' equity					27,753,971				27,102,260
			Total liabilities and stockholders' equity			$	269,704,371			$	241,846,455

VSB Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
December 31, 2012
(unaudited)
						Three months ended Dec. 31, 2012				Three months ended Dec. 31, 2011				Year ended Dec. 31, 2012				Year ended Dec. 31, 2011
Interest and dividend income:
	Loans receivable					$	1,413,548			$	1,325,482			$	5,902,637			$	5,683,399
	Investment securities						669,812				847,360				2,988,980				3,797,049
	Other interest earning assets						36,767				24,734				115,098				66,713
		Total interest income					2,120,127				2,197,576				9,006,715				9,547,161
Interest expense:
	NOW						16,846				21,524				79,818				96,761
	Money market						52,457				55,861				226,515				235,581
	Savings						17,625				9,237				53,318				46,719
	Time						101,004				118,645				436,374				479,705
		Total interest expense					187,932				205,267				796,025				858,766
Net interest income							1,932,195				1,992,309				8,210,690				8,688,395
Provision for loan loss							75,000				450,000				355,000				595,000
		Net interest income after provision for loan loss					1,857,195				1,542,309				7,855,690				8,093,395
Non-interest income:
	Loan fees						10,469				8,481				42,532				58,144
	Service charges on deposits						484,199				530,626				2,110,240				2,122,267
	Net rental income						16,405				5,779				59,010				38,292
	Other income						61,116				93,691				217,191				253,375
		Total non-interest income					572,189				638,577				2,428,973				2,472,078
Non-interest expenses:
	Salaries and benefits						959,215				945,236				3,821,060				3,902,334
	Occupancy expenses						425,772				332,914				1,521,501				1,474,792
	Legal expense						50,706				58,524				259,982				215,519
	Professional fees						85,100				72,900				338,980				291,301
	Computer expense						70,110				64,652				253,241				267,519
	Director fees						62,050				66,175				267,950				254,700
	FDIC and NYSBD assessments						57,000				41,500				235,500				235,500
	Other expenses						392,661				333,317				1,396,135				1,295,297
		Total non-interest expenses					2,102,614				1,915,218				8,094,349				7,936,962
			Income before income taxes				326,770				265,668				2,190,314				2,628,511
Provision (benefit) for income taxes:
	Current						379,980				207,781				1,438,309				1,610,151
	Deferred						(230,465	)			(104,781	)			(436,195	)			(426,091	)
		Total provision for income taxes					149,515				103,000				1,002,114				1,184,060
				Net income		$	177,255			$	162,668			$	1,188,200			$	1,444,451
Basic income per common share						$	0.10			$	0.09			$	0.67			$	0.80
Diluted net income per share						$	0.10			$	0.09			$	0.67			$	0.80
Book value per common share						$	15.55			$	15.08			$	15.55			$	15.08