HAZARD, Ky. and FRANKFORT, Ky., April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kentucky First Federal Bancorp , the holding company for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard and First Federal Savings Bank of Frankfort, Kentucky, announced net earnings of $261,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $211,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $50,000 or 23.7% period to period. Net earnings for the nine months ended March 31, 2008, were $624,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $649,000 or $0.08 per diluted share for the nine months ended March 31, 2007.
The increase in net earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income, which increased $66,000 or 4.9% period to period. Also contributing to the increase in net earnings was a decrease in general, administrative and other expense, which decreased $28,000 or 2.5% for the recently ended quarterly period. The decrease in general, administrative and other expense is related primarily to decreased retirement cost recognized.
At March 31, 2008, assets had decreased $15.4 million, or 5.7%, to $253.5 million compared to $268.9 million at June 30, 2007. This decrease was attributed primarily to a decrease in investment securities of $41.7 million, or 57.1%, to $31.3 million at March 31, 2008. The decrease in investment securities was a result of securities being called totaling approximately $40.9 million. Some of the funds received from the maturities and/or calls of investment securities were used to make additional loans and reduce Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Loans receivable increased $10.8 million or 6.5% to $177.0 million at March 31, 2008, while advances decreased $11.6 million or 17.8% to $53.6 million at March 31, 2008. Cash and cash equivalents increased $15.1 million to $17.9 million at March 31, 2008.
At March 31, 2008, the Company reported its book value per share as $7.87.
This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 or the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including, but not limited to, real estate values, the impact of interest rates on financing, changes in general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business of the Company and changes in the securities markets. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that results expressed therein will be achieved.
Kentucky First Federal Bancorp is the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association, which operates one banking office in Hazard, Kentucky and First Federal Savings Bank, which operates three banking offices in Frankfort, Kentucky. Kentucky First Federal Bancorp shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol KFFB. At March 31, 2008, the Company had approximately 8,055,000 shares outstanding of which approximately 58.7% was held by First Federal MHC.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition March 31, June 30, 2008 2007 (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited) (Audited) Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 17,853 $ 2,720 Investment Securities 31,287 73,004 Loans Available for Sale 265 -- Loans Receivable, net 176,989 166,156 Other Assets 27,119 27,036 Total Assets $ 253,513 $ 268,916 Liabilities Deposits $ 137,316 $ 139,893 FHLB Advances 53,564 65,132 Other Liabilities 2,322 2,446 Total Liabilities 193,202 207,471 Shareholders' Equity 60,311 61,445 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 253,513 $ 268,916 Book Value Per Share $ 7.87 $ 7.82 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (In thousands, except share data) Nine months ended Three months ended March 31, March 31, 2008 2007 2008 2007 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Interest Income $ 9,988 $ 9,659 $ 3,251 $ 3,251 Interest Expense 5,935 5,480 1,827 1,893 Net Interest Income 4,053 4,179 1,424 1,358 Provision for Losses on Loans 12 - 12 - Other Operating Income 133 134 45 51 General, Administrative, and Other Expense 3,260 3,360 1,072 1,100 Earnings Before Federal Income Taxes 914 953 385 309 Federal Income Taxes 290 304 124 98 Net Earnings $ 624 $ 649 $ 261 $ 211 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.08 $ 0.08 $ 0.03 $ 0.02 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.08 $ 0.08 $ 0.03 $ 0.02 Dividends Per Share $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.10 $ 0.10 Weighted average outstanding shares: Basic 7,752,619 8,021,626 7,693,955 7,985,234 Diluted 7,752,619 8,021,626 7,693,955 7,985,234
