EX-99 2 first8k_042307ex99-1.htm Firstbank Corporation Form 8-K Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

Date Submitted:         April 23, 2007
NASDAQ Symbol:    FBMI
Contact:   Samuel G. Stone
                  Executive Vice President and
                  Chief Financial Officer
                  (989) 466-7325

FIRSTBANK CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
FIRST QUARTER 2007 RESULTS

      Highlights Include:

  Earnings per share (diluted) up 10.8% to $0.41 for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.37 in the first quarter of 2006, benefiting from a favorable development in asset quality
  Net interest margin continues to contract due to the flat yield curve and increasing deposit costs
  Economic conditions limit growth opportunities
  Continued concentration on asset quality and expense control
  ICNB pending acquisition on track for 2nd quarter closing

Alma, Michigan (FBMI) — Thomas R. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank Corporation, announced earnings per share of $0.41 for the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 10.8% compared to $0.37 for the first quarter of 2006. Net income was $2,658,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, up 9.7% from the $2,424,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Returns on average assets and average equity for the first quarter of 2007 were 1.01% and 11.4%, respectively, compared with 0.96% and 10.8%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2006. Reversal of provision for loan loss expense due to the payoff of a credit with specific reserves was the primary reason for the improved financial results. Decline in the net interest margin and continued weak mortgage and real estate activity would have led to earnings and profitability measures weaker than the prior year were it not for the provision reversal. All per share amounts are fully diluted and have been adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividend paid in December of 2006.

Firstbank recently received payoff on a loan relationship of approximately $4 million which has been discussed in previous disclosures. Although this loan was performing, a specific reserve had been established due to concerns regarding prospects for the business. The negative provision expense of $971,000 to reverse this specific reserve more than offset other positive expense posted in the quarter, resulting in a total provision for loan losses expense of negative $721,000 for the first quarter of 2007. The analysis of the allowance shows the resulting allowance as of March 31, 2007, of $9.1 million, or 1.00% of loans, to be appropriate.

Total portfolio loans of $913 million were 2.6% above the level at March 31, 2006. Total assets at March 31, 2007, were $1.1 billion and increased 4.2% over the year-ago period. Total deposits as of March 31, 2007, were $834 million, compared to $797 million at March 31, 2007, an increase of 4.6%.

Firstbank’s net interest margin, at 3.90% in the first quarter of 2007, declined by 8 basis points from the 3.98% level for the fourth quarter of 2006 and by 29 basis points from the 4.19% level in the first quarter of 2006. The continuing flat, and sometimes negatively sloped, yield curve continues to result in increasing funding costs relative to earning asset yields. Deposit balances continue to shift from non-interest bearing and lower rate products to higher rate products. Competitive pressures and the flat yield curve keep these deposit rates high providing only a narrow margin to rates available for making loans.


Mr. Sullivan stated, “Our industry continues to be under earnings strain, and for some banks there is a more serious problem of asset quality stress. These problems are particularly prevalent in Michigan, because plant closings and manufacturing job losses are having a direct and ripple effect on the economy. At Firstbank we know that above all else we must be careful stewards of asset quality, and I am pleased with the results our lenders have had in managing through a few difficult situations, and maintaining high quality underwriting and documentation standards. In the first quarter in particular, some of these efforts brought fruit in that we reversed a specific reserve because it was no longer needed and our non-performing and net charge-off ratios improved. We know that the economic stress in Michigan is not over, and we must continue the emphasis on asset quality. At the same time, we are working to contain expenses and trim non-productive expenses, because revenues are challenged by a weak real estate market and more pressure squeezing the spread between loan rates and deposit costs than we have ever before seen. We remain committed to serving our customers and communities well. We know that economies go through cycles, and when Michigan emerges from the current negative phase, we want our company and our position in our markets to be strong. We are looking forward to the expansion of our service area into the communities covered by ICNB, and we believe this acquisition will help position our company more strongly for the future.”

In the first quarter of 2007, Firstbank realized $130,000 in losses on sale of securities from the investment portfolio as advantage was taken of market opportunities to improve yields going forward. A partial offset to this loss was a gain on a sale of an other real estate owned property. Non-interest income showed small declines from prior quarter and year ago and would have shown small increases without the negative impact of the loss on security sales. Revenue from gain on sale of mortgages and real estate activity continued to be weak.

In the first quarter of 2007, non-interest expense was reduced by 3.6% from the fourth quarter of 2006. Even with three additional branch offices in operation compared to year-ago, non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2007 was held to 2.4% above the level in the first quarter of 2006. As revenues continue under pressure from the narrowing net interest margin and weak mortgage activity, Firstbank continues to work to contain expenses and where possible to trim non-productive expenses. Expenses in all non-bank subsidiaries have been scaled back.

Net charge-offs were $164,000 in the first quarter of 2007. Excluding the negative component of provision expense of $971,000 discussed above, provision expense exceeded net charge-offs. Annualized as a percentage of average loans, net charge-offs were 0.07% in the first quarter of 2007. The ratio of non-performing loans (including loans past due over 90 days) to loans was 0.34% at March 31, 2007, showing significant improvement from 0.47% at December 31, 2006, and 0.72% at March 31, 2006.

Shareholders’ equity increased 2.1% in the first quarter of 2007, and was 3.8% above the level at March 31, 2006. The ratio of average equity to average assets stood at 8.9% in the first quarter of 2007 – a level consistent over the past two years – indicating that strong equity capital has been maintained. Firstbank did not repurchase shares in the first quarter of 2007, as it expects to achieve increased leverage of its capital base to an appropriate level through the structure of the pending acquisition of the $236 million asset ICNB Financial Corporation. The purchase is being accomplished with a mix of 50% Firstbank Corporation stock and 50% cash, and Firstbank anticipates issuing additional trust preferred through a pooling arrangement in connection with this transaction. The merger transaction is expected to close at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

Firstbank Corporation, headquartered in Alma, Michigan, is a six bank financial services company with assets of $1.1 billion and 41 banking offices serving Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Bank subsidiaries include: Firstbank – Alma; Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant); Firstbank – West Branch; Firstbank – Lakeview; Firstbank – St. Johns; and Keystone Community Bank.

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, 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 feefvs 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.


FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
UNAUDITED

Mar 31
2007
Dec 31
2006
Mar 31
2006

ASSETS                
   
Cash and cash equivalents:  
  Cash and due from banks   $ 28,091   $ 32,084   $ 26,382  
  Short term investments    32,739    24,853    8,383  

Total cash and cash equivalents    60,830    56,937    34,765  
   
Securities available for sale    68,651    69,125    75,526  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock    5,924    5,924    6,506  
Loans:  
  Loans held for sale    283    1,120    1,167  
  Portfolio loans:  
    Commercial    199,067    194,810    188,516  
    Commercial real estate    266,084    286,249    300,858  
    Residential mortgage    295,385    284,137    275,190  
    Real estate construction    89,844    81,218    65,768  
    Consumer    62,201    63,106    59,380  

Total portfolio loans    912,581    909,520    889,712  
  Less allowance for loan losses    (9,081 )  (9,966 )  (11,562 )

Net portfolio loans    903,500    899,554    878,150  
   
Premises and equipment, net    20,251    20,232    19,468  
Goodwill    20,094    20,094    19,888  
Other intangibles    2,884    3,045    3,542  
Other assets    18,684    19,061    17,803  

TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,101,101   $ 1,095,092   $ 1,056,815  

   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
   
LIABILITIES  
   
Deposits:  
  Noninterest bearing accounts   $ 120,295   $ 131,942   $ 123,145  
  Interest bearing accounts:  
  Demand    167,082    161,228    175,866  
  Savings    134,484    127,301    132,491  
  Time    359,556    350,710    300,673  
  Wholesale CD's    52,195    64,245    65,077  

Total deposits    833,612    835,426    797,252  
   
Securities sold under agreements to  
  repurchase and overnight borrowings    38,170    35,179    39,006  
FHLB Advances and notes payable    94,146    94,177    91,838  
Subordinated Debt    20,620    20,620    20,620  
Accrued interest and other liabilities    16,423    13,617    13,528  

Total liabilities    1,002,971    999,019    962,244  
   
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Preferred stock; no par value, 300,000  
  shares authorized, none issued  
Common stock; 20,000,000 shares authorized    92,373    91,652    87,711  
Retained earnings    5,749    4,552    7,239  
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)    8    (131 )  (379 )

Total shareholders' equity    98,130    96,073    94,571  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 1,101,101   $ 1,095,092   $ 1,056,815  

   
Common stock shares issued and outstanding    6,518,143    6,484,202    6,595,628  
Principal Balance of Loans Serviced for Others ($mil)   $ 470.5   $ 472.0   $ 471.8  
   
Asset Quality Ratios:  
  Non-Performing Loans / Loans^    0.34 %  0.47 %  0.72 %
  Non-Perf. Loans + OREO / Loans^ + OREO    0.48 %  0.65 %  0.86 %
  Non-Performing Assets / Total Assets    0.40 %  0.54 %  0.72 %
  Allowance for Loan Loss as a % of Loans^    1.00 %  1.10 %  1.30 %
  Allowance / Non-Performing Loans    293 %  234 %  180 %
   
Quarterly Average Balances:  
  Total Portfolio Loans^   $ 903,807   $ 915,191   $ 883,598  
  Total Earning Assets    990,838    999,225    974,534  
  Total Shareholders' Equity    96,590    95,761    93,772  
  Total Assets    1,087,428    1,083,518    1,054,024  
  Diluted Shares Outstanding    6,516,568    6,543,831    6,629,428  

^ Total Loans less loans held for sale


FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
UNAUDITED

Three Months Ended:

Mar 31
2007
Dec 31
2006
Mar 31
2006

Interest income:                
  Interest and fees on loans   $ 16,798   $ 17,303   $ 15,843  
  Investment securities  
    Taxable    626    534    513  
    Exempt from federal income tax    270    266    248  
    Short term investments    311    150    111  

Total interest income    18,005    18,253    16,715  
   
Interest expense:  
  Deposits    6,507    6,469    4,944  
  Notes payable and other borrowing    1,977    1,992    1,829  

Total interest expense    8,484    8,461    6,773  
   
Net interest income    9,521    9,792    9,942  
Provision for loan losses    (721 )  169    185  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses    10,242    9,623    9,757  
   
Noninterest income:  
  Gain on sale of mortgage loans    324    309    248  
  Service charges on deposit accounts    944    935    922  
  Gain (loss) on sale of securities    (130 )  0    6  
  Mortgage servicing    145    194    84  
  Other    949    930    1,023  

Total noninterest income    2,232    2,368    2,283  
   
Noninterest expense:  
  Salaries and employee benefits    4,730    4,817    4,558  
  Occupancy and equipment    1,351    1,339    1,272  
  Amortization of intangibles    161    161    168  
  FDIC insurance premium    24    25    28  
  Other    2,429    2,677    2,466  

Total noninterest expense    8,695    9,019    8,492  
   
Income before federal income taxes    3,779    2,972    3,548  
Federal income taxes    1,121    804    1,124  

Net Income   $ 2,658   $ 2,168   $ 2,424  

   
Fully Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income   $ 9,698   $ 9,971   $ 10,084  
   
Per Share Data:  
  Basic Earnings   $ 0.41   $ 0.33   $ 0.37  
  Diluted Earnings   $ 0.41   $ 0.33   $ 0.37  
  Dividends Paid   $ 0.225   $ 0.214   $ 0.210  
   
Performance Ratios:  
  Return on Average Assets*    1.01 %  0.79 %  0.96 %
  Return on Average Equity*    11.4 %  8.9 %  10.8 %
  Net Interest Margin (FTE) *    3.90 %  3.98 %  4.19 %
  Book Value Per Share+   $ 15.05   $ 14.82   $ 14.33  
  Average Equity/Average Assets    8.9 %  8.8 %  8.9 %
  Net Charge-offs   $ 164   $ 892   $ 182  
  Net Charge-offs as a % of Average Loans^*    0.07 %  0.39 %  0.08 %

* Annualized
+ Period End
^ Total loans less loans held for sale