First Evanston Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of First Bank & Trust, reported a 5.5 percent increase in net income for the first half of 2013, compared with the same period a year ago, abetted by increased loan demand and usage in the second quarter of the year.
“Earnings for the second quarter were better than expected and helped improve overall results in the first half, “declared Robert R. Yohanan, managing director and chief executive officer of the locally owned and operated financial institution, in a letter to stockholders.
Net income for the company was $1,874,000, compared with $1,777,000 for the same period last year, or an increase of 5.5 percent. Basic income per share was $1.22, up 3.4 percent from $1.18 per share in the first half of 2012, Yohanan reported.
All three major indices of bank growth—loans, deposits, and total assets—were higher on June 30 than they were 12 months earlier.
Net loans, after providing for possible loan losses, amounted to $578.7 million, compared with $512.2 million; deposits grew from $706.6 million to $743.9 million; and total assets stood at $820.5 million vs. $779.7 million a year earlier.
The bank’s ratio of loans to deposits, a key indicator of profit potential, increased to 77.8 percent from 72.5 percent a year ago.
“Competition for good business loans continues to be very keen with low rates and decreasing credit standards being offered by banks across the board,” Yohanan said. “While we have been competitive on the interest rate side,” he insisted, “we have not compromised our lending standards.”
The CEO noted that the bank focuses on lending to small to medium sized companies and not-for-profit organizations, “and the quality of our loan portfolio is paramount to the success of the bank.”
In other news of interest to stockholders, Yohanan said that the bank has retained its Green 3-Star Rating from Veribank as of June 30 and that its branch at Dempster Street and Crawford Avenue has been awarded the environmentally friendly Gold LEED Certification, “which makes it one of the few branch banks in the country with this designation,” he said.
Great news for FEW !
The CEO of Evanston Bancorp just told shareholders that “Competition for good business loans continues to be very keen with low rates and decreasing credit standards being offered by banks across the board.”
"The CEO noted that the bank focuses on lending to small to medium sized companies."
The City of Evanston should tell FEW to contact Robert R. Yohanan, CEO of Evanston Bancorp, and get a loan.
The City of Evanston should not extend a loan to FEW, that's the business of Evanston Bancorp and others.