ALPENA, Mich., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFNM) (the "Company") reported consolidated net earnings of $161,000, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to consolidated net earnings of $202,000, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Listed below are a few key points relative to the Company's results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011:

    --  Significant quarter over quarter improvement in the Company's net
        interest margin (from 3.58% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to
        3.95% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011) due primarily to a 63 basis
        point reduction in the cost of funds period over period.
    --  First Federal of Northern Michigan remains "well-capitalized" for
        regulatory purposes.

Michael W. Mahler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "While pleased that we once again generated profits for the quarter, it fell short of our expectations. The costs associated with foreclosure activity and the disposition of bank- owned assets were higher than we anticipated. On a positive note, with the improvement in our Texas ratio from where we were a year ago, we believe these costs have peaked and fully expect that we will continue to see a decline in these expenses both in the near and long term. We are pleased with the continued improvement in our Net Interest Margin to an all time high of 3.95% for the quarter. This is largely attributable to lower funding costs but also supported by the establishment of higher floors on commercial lines of credit. The N.I.M. improvement will favorably affect the bank's profitability on a going forward basis. Our FDIC premiums have also declined as a result of a new lower assessment base along with an upgrade to our risk profile related to improved earnings in 2010 and improvements to our asset quality metrics. In spite of the challenges and uncertainty that remain for the Michigan and Northern Michigan economies, we believe we are well positioned to show further improvement in 2011 and beyond."

Selected Financial Ratios



                           For the Three Months Ended
                                    March 31
                           --------------------------
                               2011              2010
                               ----              ----

    Performance
     Ratios:
    Net interest
     margin                    3.95%             3.58%
    Average interest
     rate spread               3.80%             3.38%
    Return on average
     assets*                   0.30%             0.35%
    Return on average
     equity*                   2.70%             3.43%

    * Annualized


                                                    As of
                                                    -----
                                                                   March
                                  March 31,       December          31,
                                     2011         31, 2010          2010
                                 ----------      ---------        ------
    Asset Quality Ratios
    Non-performing assets to
     total assets                      4.66%           4.37%         5.37%
    Non-performing loans to
     total loans                       4.45%           4.13%         5.00%
    Allowance for loan losses
     to non-performing loans          38.41%          42.85%        40.55%
    Allowance for loan losses
     to total loans                    1.71%           1.77%         2.03%

    "Texas Ratio" (Bank)              41.79%          39.66%        50.87%

    Total non-performing
     assets (000's omitted)         $10,037          $9,424       $12,222

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company at March 31, 2011 were $215.4 million, a decrease of $288,000, or 0.1%, from assets of $215.7 million at December 31, 2010. Net loans receivable decreased $5.9 million to $151.3 million at March 31, 2011, due to the continued effect of adjustable-rate or balloon mortgage loans that have paid off or been refinanced and sold into the secondary market, a large purchased mortgage loan which paid off during the quarter, consumer loan balances that have declined due to normal pay-downs, pay-off of an out-of-state commercial loan participation, and in general, limited originations of loans to be held in the Company's portfolio. Investment securities increased $3.5 million from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011 due primarily to the purchase of GNMA and municipal securities as opportunities arose.

Deposits increased $766,000 to $156.2 million at March 31, 2011. During the quarter lower-costing accounts such as savings, money market and checking accounts increased by approximately $2.8 million. This was partially offset by a decrease in our certificate of deposit accounts of approximately $2.1 million. FHLB advances decreased $1.0 million as an advance matured and was paid off from available cash from loan pay-offs.

The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 4.66% at March 31, 2011 compared to 4.37% at December 31, 2010 and 5.37% at March 31, 2010. Non-performing assets increased by $613,000 from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The Company continues to closely monitor non-performing assets and has taken a variety of steps to reduce the level thereof, such as:

    --  Timely pursuit of foreclosure and/or repossession options coupled with
        quick and aggressive marketing efforts of repossessed assets;
    --  Restructuring loans, where feasible, to assist borrowers in working
        through this financially challenging time;
    --  Allowing borrowers to structure short-sales of properties, where
        appropriate and feasible; and
    --  Working with borrowers to find a means of reducing outstanding debt
        (such as through sales of collateral).

Stockholders' equity was $23.5 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $23.2 million at December 31, 2010. The increase was due primarily to net earnings for the three-month period of $161,000 and an increase of $59,000 in the unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities. First Federal of Northern Michigan's regulatory capital remains at levels in excess of regulatory requirements, as shown in the table below.



                                                       Regulatory
                                    Actual                 Minimum
                                    ------                 -------
                              Amount   Ratio        Amount   Ratio
                              ------   -----        ------   -----
                                  (Dollars in Thousands)

      Tier 1 (Core) capital
       ( to adjusted
       assets)               $21,388     9.99%      $8,561     4.00%

      Total risk-based
       capital (to risk-
       weighted assets)      $23,143    16.52%     $11,210     8.00%

      Tier 1 risk-based
       capital (to risk-
       weighted assets)      $21,388    15.26%      $5,605     4.00%

      Tangible Capital ( to
       tangible assets)      $21,388     9.99%      $3,210     1.50%



                                    Minimum to be
                                         Well
                                      Capitalized
                                  Amount    Ratio
                                  ------    -----
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

      Tier 1 (Core) capital
       ( to adjusted
       assets)                    $10,701    5.00%

      Total risk-based
       capital (to risk-
       weighted assets)           $14,012   10.00%

      Tier 1 risk-based
       capital (to risk-
       weighted assets)            $8,407    6.00%

      Tangible Capital ( to
       tangible assets)            $4,281    2.00%

Results of Operations

Interest income decreased to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $2.9 million for the year earlier period. The decrease in interest income was due to two factors: a decrease of $14.0 million in the average balance of our interest-earning assets and a decrease of 20 basis points in the yield on interest-earning assets due in part to lower market interest rates period over period.

Interest expense decreased to $605,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $956,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in interest expense for the three-month period was due in part to a $15.0 million decrease in the average balance of our interest-bearing liabilities and a decrease in our overall cost of funds of 63 basis points period over period. Most notably, the average balance of our FHLB advances decreased $14.5 million from the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 to the same period in 2011 and the cost of our FHLB advances decreased 63 basis points period over period. In addition, our certificates of deposit decreased $8.1 million from the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 to the same period in 2011 and the cost of our certificates of deposit decreased 58 basis points period over period.

The Company's net interest margin increased to 3.95% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 from 3.58% for the same period in 2010. During this time period, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 20 basis points to 5.17% from 5.37%, while the average cost of funds decreased 63 basis points to 1.37% from 2.00%, due to reductions of 63 basis points and 58 basis points on our FHLB advances and certificates of deposit, respectively.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 was $67,000, as compared to $11,000 for the prior year period. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we recorded specific reserves of approximately $80,000 on a previously identified mortgage credit and $79,000 on a commercial credit. We received updated information on both credits which required us to record specific reserves on these credits. Offsetting these additional specific reserves during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we moved a large commercial loan out of construction status into our general pool of commercial loans, which allowed us to reduce the amount of general reserves we needed to record. Construction loans carry a higher degree of risk and therefore a higher level of reserve. The provision was based on management's review of the components of the overall loan portfolio, the status of non-performing loans and various subjective factors.

Non interest income decreased from $578,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to $449,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The results reflected a decrease of $40,000 in service charges and other fees, and a decrease of $49,000 in gain on sale of available-for-sale securities as securities were sold at a gain during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 and no securities were sold during the corresponding period in 2011.

Non interest expense remained relatively unchanged at $2.2 million for both the three-months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; however there were changes in the composition of our non-interest expense period over period: other expenses increased by $102,000 period over period, related mostly to expenses on troubled credits and repossessed assets; our FDIC premiums decreased by $23,000, or 24.4% period over period as the Company's assessment rate decreased; occupancy expense decreased by $43,000, or 13.6%, related primarily to lower depreciation expense on equipment that is now fully depreciated, and professional services decreased by $16,000, or 15.1%.

Pre-Tax, Pre-provision Core Operating Earnings

The Company is presenting pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings in this release for purposes of additional analysis of operating results. Pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings, as defined by management, represents the Company's income (loss) excluding: income tax expense (benefit), the provision for loan losses, and any securities gains or losses.

The following table reconciles consolidated net income (loss) presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") to pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings. Pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings is not a measurement of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) under GAAP. Pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. However, the Company believes presenting pre-tax, pre-provision core operating earnings provides investors with the ability to gain a further understanding of its underlying operating trends separate from the direct effects of certain issues. It displays core operating earnings trends before the impact of these issues.



                                       Three Months Ended
                                    03/31/2011      03/31/2010
                                    ----------      ----------

    Net income                        $160,701        $202,303
    Provision for loan losses           67,358          11,088
    Income tax expense                       -         101,913
    Securities gains                         -         (49,430)
    Elevated loan, collection
     and repossessed asset
     costs (1)                         185,368          80,226
                                       -------          ------

    Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision
     Core Operating Earnings
     (loss)                           $413,427        $346,100
                                      ========        ========

    (1) Represents the excess amount over an
     average amount of $57,500 quarterly or
     $230,000 annually for the years 2004 -2008.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release and other releases and reports issued by the Company, including reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, may contain "forward-looking statements." The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company is including this statement for purposes of taking advantage of the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.



    First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheet



                                        March 31,         December 31,
                                            2011               2010
                                        ---------         ------------
                                       (Unaudited)
    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents:
    Cash on hand and due from banks      $3,541,896          $1,889,999
    Overnight deposits with FHLB            313,959              72,658
                                            -------              ------
    Total cash and cash equivalents       3,855,856           1,962,657
    Securities AFS                       38,809,481          35,301,238
    Securities HTM                        2,520,000           2,520,000
    Loans held for sale                     152,237                   -
    Loans receivable, net of
     allowance for loan losses of
     $2,631,993 and  $2,831,332 as
     of March 31, 2011 and December
     31, 2010, respectively             151,255,315      157,143,918
    Foreclosed real estate and other
     repossessed assets                   3,186,668           2,818,343
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at
     cost                                 3,775,400           3,775,400
    Premises and equipment                5,982,768           6,026,793
    Accrued interest receivable           1,146,752           1,230,938
    Intangible assets                       554,193             627,306
    Prepaid FDIC Premiums                   900,140             967,143
    Deferred Tax Asset                      603,082             659,194
    Other assets                          2,702,714           2,700,034
                                          ---------           ---------
    Total assets                       $215,444,605        $215,732,964
                                       ============        ============


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY
    Liabilities:
    Deposits                           $156,231,755        $155,465,896
    Advances from borrowers for
     taxes and insurance                    316,969             130,030
    Federal Home Loan Bank Advances      28,000,000          29,000,000
    REPO Sweep Accounts                   5,753,871           6,172,362
    Accrued expenses and other
     liabilities                          1,646,240           1,728,735
                                          ---------           ---------

    Total liabilities                   191,948,835         192,497,023
                                        -----------         -----------

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock ($0.01 par value
     20,000,000 shares authorized
      3,191,799 shares issued                31,918              31,918
    Additional paid-in capital           23,838,758          23,822,152
    Retained earnings                     2,398,765           2,238,064
    Treasury stock at cost (307,750
     shares)                             (2,963,918)         (2,963,918)
    Unearned compensation.                  (15,043)            (38,382)
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                 205,290             146,107
                                            -------             -------
    Total stockholders' equity           23,495,770          23,235,941
                                         ----------          ----------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity              $215,444,605        $215,732,964
                                       ============        ============



    First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statement of Income


                                           For the Three
                                              Months
                                          Ended March 31,
                                          ---------------
                                           2011           2010
                                            ---            ---
                                           (Unaudited)
    Interest income:
    Interest and fees on loans       $2,273,320     $2,540,413
    Interest and dividends on
     investments
       Taxable                           94,815        132,563
       Tax-exempt                        40,328         52,812
    Interest on mortgage-backed
     securities                         183,366        156,533
                                        -------        -------
    Total interest income             2,591,829      2,882,321
                                      ---------      ---------

    Interest expense:
    Interest on deposits                437,253        637,824
    Interest on borrowings              168,074        318,582
                                        -------        -------
    Total interest expense              605,327        956,406
                                        -------        -------

    Net interest income               1,986,502      1,925,915
    Provision for loan losses            67,358         11,088
                                         ------         ------
    Net interest income after
     provision for loan losses        1,919,144      1,914,827
                                      ---------      ---------

    Non-interest income:
    Service charges and other fees      164,491        204,174
    Mortgage banking activities         235,983        248,092
    Gain on sale of available-for-
     sale investments                         -         49,430
    Net gain (loss) on sale of
     premises and equipment,
      real estate owned and other
       repossessed assets                (8,675)        11,176
    Other                                57,553         65,613
                                         ------         ------
    Total non-interest income           449,352        578,485
                                        -------        -------

    Non-interest expense:
    Compensation and employee
     benefits                         1,168,936      1,170,942
    FDIC Insurance Premiums              71,217         94,200
    Advertising                          23,021         19,889
    Occupancy                           270,042        312,576
    Amortization of intangible
     assets                              73,113         73,113
    Service bureau charges               76,206         79,582
    Insurance & Brokerage
     Commission Expense                       -              -
    Professional services                87,577        103,111
    Prepayment penalty on FHLB
     advances                                 -              -
    Other                               437,683        335,683
                                        -------        -------
    Total non-interest expense        2,207,795      2,189,096
                                      ---------      ---------

    Income before income tax
     expense                            160,701        304,216
    Income tax expense                        -        101,913
                                            ---        -------

    Net Income                         $160,701       $202,303
                                       ========       ========


    Per share data:
    Net Income per share
       Basic                              $0.06          $0.07
       Diluted                            $0.06          $0.07

    Weighted average number of
     shares outstanding
       Basic                          2,884,049      2,884,249
       Including dilutive stock
        options                       2,884,049      2,884,249
    Dividends per common share               $-             $-

SOURCE First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.