UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
        Washington, D.C. 20549        

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):           January 19, 2007           

 

                                 NORTHEAST BANCORP                                  

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

             Maine             

            1-14588            

        01-0425066       

(State or Other Jurisdiction Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

     500 Canal Street, Lewiston, Maine     

          04240          

  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

     (207) 786-3245         

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions.

    • Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).
    • Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).
    • Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).
    • Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240. Rule 13e-4(c)).

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)

Exhibits.

Exhibit No.

     Description

99.1

Press Release, dated January 19, 2007 regarding second quarter 2007 earnings and the declaration of a dividend.

Item 7.01     Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 19, 2007, Northeast Bancorp, a Maine corporation (the "Company"), issued a press release announcing it's earnings for the second quarter ended December 31, 2006 and declaring the payment of a dividend. The full text of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained herein, including the exhibit attached hereto, is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, the information in this report (including the exhibits hereto) are not to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether filed prior to or after the furnishing of these certificates, regardless of any general or specific incorporation language in such filing.

Item 2.02     Results of Information and Financial Condition.

The press release referred to under Item 7.01 above and filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto included disclosure regarding the earnings and financial results of Northeast Bancorp for the second quarter ended December 31, 2006 and declaration of a dividend. The full text of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained herein, including the exhibit attached hereto, is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, the information in this report (including the exhibits hereto) are not to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether filed prior to or after the furnishing of these certificates, regardless of any general or specific incorporation language in such filing.

 

[Rest of Page Intentionally Blank. Signature on Following Page.]

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

   

NORTHEAST BANCORP

Date: January 19, 2007

By:

/s/ James D. Delamater

   

     James D. Delamater

   

     President and Chief Executive Officer

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

     Description

99.1

Press Release, dated January 19, 2007 regarding second quarter 2007 earnings and the declaration of a dividend.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

For More Information:

 

Jim Delamater, President & CEO
Northeast Bank, 500 Canal Street, Lewiston, ME 04240
  www.northeastbank.com

1-800-284-5989 ext. 3569
  jdelamater@northeastbank.com

Northeast Bancorp Announces 2nd Quarter Earnings and Quarterly Dividend

Lewiston, MAINE (January 19, 2007) - Northeast Bancorp (AMEX: NBN), the parent company of Northeast Bank, reported earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 were $417,355, or $0.17 per diluted share, as compared to earnings for the same period last year of $1,071,196, or $0.42 per diluted share. The decline in net income resulted primarily from decreased net interest income due to continuing margin compression, a decrease in earning assets and the costs associated with the Company's recent insurance agency acquisitions. In light of difficult market conditions during the quarter, management's primary strategy was to position the Company for the future through continued diversification in its sources of income, maintenance of credit quality and expansion of its nonbanking operations. In addition, the Company sought to achieve an asset/liability position that will allow the Company to take advantage of the expected return of a more customary interest rate environment at some point in the future.

During the past quarter, the Company reported it acquired two additional insurance agencies, rounding out its number of insurance offices to 10 and management projects that annual insurance commissions will increase by approximately $895,000. "Driving these decisions is our strategic mission to provide our customers with one-stop shopping for all financial services. In order to accomplish this goal and remain profitable we will continue to leverage our infrastructure and seek to grow non-interest income. While we recognize that the impact of intangible amortization will affect short-term results as we've experienced this past quarter; we are excited about the growth potential in this business line," reported Jim Delamater, President and CEO of Northeast Bancorp.

The decline in earnings was attributable to the ongoing impact of the interest rate environment. "The banking industry is experiencing the 7th straight quarter with a relatively flat or inverted yield curve which continues to impact our cost of funds. Our commitment to developing revenue streams that are independent of the rate environment has never been more focused," said Delamater.

Income from insurance, investment and trust activities increased 38%, or $332,126, for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, and 23%, or $396,511, for the six-months ended December 31, 2006. Non-interest income represented 30% of total revenues.

Non-interest income levels increased to $1,954,941 for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $1,522,021 for the same period in 2005, an increase of 28%, and increased to $3,483,498 for six months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $3,110,038 for the same period in 2005, an increase of 12%. Increases in both periods were attributable primarily to income from insurance, investment and trust activities.

Earnings reflect non-cash expenses attributable to the company's aggressive focus on revenue diversification. "The quality of Northeast's earnings remains strong as non-interest income now makes up approximately 30% of our total revenue mix and we are positioned to continue to see results from these efforts," continued Delamater.

In addition, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.09 per share payable on February 23, 2007 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 2, 2007. As of December 31, 2006, Northeast Bancorp had total assets of approximately $559 million. Northeast Bancorp common shares trade on the American Stock Exchange with approximately 2.4 million shares outstanding and, as of December 31, 2006, had a book value of $16.78 per share, an increase from $16.11 at the end of the same period last year.

The Company reports that it also continues to focus on increasing shareholder value and, as part of those efforts, it regularly reviews its capital levels and evaluates the repurchase of its common stock whenever this action is deemed to be a good investment and in the best interests of shareholders. As a result, the board recently announced the approval of a stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to 200,000 shares through December 31, 2007.

Delamater noted, "We continue to seek to increase our franchise value by growing our non-interest income and adding many new customers, as evidenced by the recent insurance agency acquisitions in new market areas. It is our goal to grow at a steady rate and continue to increase our ability to deliver multiple products and services to each and every household we serve. In addition, it is our priority to maintain strict underwriting standards and to adhere to our interest rate policies to protect the integrity of our balance sheet and asset/liability position.

Northeast Bancorp, headquartered at 500 Canal Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, is the holding company for the Maine-based Northeast Bank, founded in 1872. Northeast Bank, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Northeast Bank Insurance Group, Inc., operates 22 retail and insurance locations and derives its income from a combination of traditional banking services and non-traditional financial products and services including insurance and investments.

Management encourages present and prospective shareholders to contact President and CEO Jim Delamater directly to discuss the Company, its products and services, and ongoing efforts to develop shareholder value. He can be reached at jdelamater@northeastbank.com or toll free at 1-800-284-5989. Management also suggests that any person wishing to utilize the services of Northeast Bancorp or its subsidiaries or interested in learning more about the Company can access its web site at www.northeastbank.com.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Northeast Bancorp. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views and expectations based largely on information currently available to its management, and on its current expectations, assumptions, plan, estimates, judgments, and projects about its business and its industry, and they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors. Accordingly, the Company is unable to provide any assurance that its expectations will, in fact, occur or that its estimates or assumptions will be correct. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement s due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset/liability management, changes in technology, changes in securities markets, and the availability of and the costs associated with sources of liquidity. Accordingly, investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of certain risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, please see "Item 1. Business Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors" set forth in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2006.

Customer access to securities is provided through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member NASD/SIPC. Important information--Securities, annuities, and insurance products are not deposit products, not FDIC insured, are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal, and are not an obligation of or guaranteed by the Bank.

NORTHEAST BANCORP
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share and Shares Outstanding Data)
               
   

Three Months Ended  

 

Six Months Ended      

 
   

December 31,          

%

December 31,          

%
   

  2006    

  2005    

Change

  2006    

  2005    

Change
Selected financial information            
               
Income statement data:            
           
Interest income $   8,968   $   8,766   2% $  17,924   $  17,446   3%
Interest expense 5,034   4,037   25% 9,941   7,982   25%
Net interest income 3,934   4,729   -17% 7,983   9,464   -16%
Provision for loan losses 376   300   25% 676   601   12%
Net interest income after            
  provision for loan losses 3,558   4,429   -20% 7,307   8,863   -18%
Gain on sale of loans 145   67   116% 240   167   44%
Gain on securities 16   3   433% 20   10   100%
Other noninterest income 1,794   1,452   24% 3,224   2,933   10%
Noninterest expense 4,964   4,386   13% 9,634   8,845   9%
Operating income before income tax 549   1,565   -65% 1,157   3,128   -63%
Income tax expense 132   494   -73% 285   1,015   -72%
Net income $     417   $   1,071   -61% $     872   $   2,113   -59%
               
               
               
Per share data:            
Basic earning per common share $    0.17   $    0.42   -60% $    0.36   $ 0.84   -57%
Diluted earnings per common share $    0.17   $    0.42   -60% $    0.35   $ 0.83   -58%
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
  Basic 2,452,529   2,526,017   -3% 2,450,646   2,524,335   -3%
  Diluted 2,471,365   2,556,492   -3% 2,470,994   2,555,845   -3%
               
Book value per share 16.78   16.11     16.78   16.11    
Tangible book value per share 14.49   15.14     14.49   15.14    
               
Net interest margin 2.91% 3.46%   2.96% 3.45%  
Net interest spread 2.57% 3.19%   2.62% 3.17%  
Return on average assets (annualized) 0.29% 0.74%   0.31% 0.73%  
Return on equity (annualized) 4.01% 10.48%   4.26% 10.32%  
Tier I leverage ratio (Bank) 8.56% 8.72%   8.56% 8.72%  
Tier I risk-based capital ratio (Bank) 11.55% 11.66%   11.55% 11.66%  
Total risk-based capital ratio (Bank) 12.80% 12.91%   12.80% 12.91%  
Efficiency ratio 84% 70%   84% 70%  
Nonperforming loans 4,898   3,714     4,898   3,714    
Total nonperforming assets 4,902   3,779     4,902   3,779    
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans 1.13% 0.83%   1.13% 0.83%  
Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets 0.88% 0.67%   0.88% 0.67%  
               
               
               
               
               
    December 31, %      
    2006 2005 Change      
Balance sheet highlights:            
               
Investment securities $  82,426   $  78,918   4%      
Loans held for sale 946   441   115%      
Loans 434,674   447,896   -3%      
Allowance for loan losses 5,758   5,577   3%      
Total assets 559,556   567,726   -1%      
               
Deposits:            
  NOW and money market 64,118   74,035   -13%      
  Savings 20,914   26,751   -22%      
  Certificates of deposits 218,651   203,970   7%      
  Brokered time deposits 32,313   56,734   -43%      
  Noninterest-bearing deposits     35,275       39,334    -10%      
  Total deposits 371,271   400,824   -7%      
               
Borrowings 101,335   90,013   13%      
Shareholders' equity 41,153   40,720   1%      
               
Shares outstanding 2,452,632   2,527,332   -3%