ALPENA, Mich., Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFNM) (the "Company") reported consolidated net earnings from continuing operations of $80,000, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 compared to a consolidated net loss from continuing operations of $3.1 million, or $1.07 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.

Consolidated net income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 was $673,000, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share, compared to a consolidated net loss from continuing operations of $6.7 million, or $2.33 per basic and diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.

Listed below are several key points relative to the Company's results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010:

    --  Significant quarter over quarter improvement in the Company's net
        interest margin (from 3.24% to 3.93%) due primarily to a 59 basis point
        reduction in the cost of funds quarter over quarter.
    --  Significant year over year improvement in the Company's net interest
        margin (from 3.26% to 3.78%) due primarily to a 74 basis point reduction
        in the cost of funds year over year.
    --  $5.7 million decrease in non-performing assets since December 31, 2009.
    --  First Federal of Northern Michigan remains "well-capitalized" for
        regulatory purposes.
    --  Provision for loan losses of $68,000 and $1.0 million during the quarter
        and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, as compared to $2.7
        million and $6.2 million in the corresponding prior year periods.

Michael W. Mahler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We are pleased to report that 2010 was a profitable year for us. The two main items that contributed to our profitability in 2010 were a decrease of $5.2 million in our provision for loan losses year over year due to improved asset quality, and a 52 basis point improvement in our net interest margin year over year. We experienced a marked improvement in core banking in 2010, as evidenced by our pre-tax, pre-provision net income improvement year over year."

Mr. Mahler also commented, "The continued strengthening of our asset quality remains our top priority. Non-performing assets have decreased over $5.7 million since the end of 2009. Our Texas Ratio has decreased from 64.29% at December 31, 2009 to 40.17% at December 31, 2010. In addition, we are encouraged by the increased interest in and the successful sale of Bank-owned properties during 2010."

Selected Financial Ratios



                           Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                              December 31                December 31
                           ------------------    -------------------
                          2010             2009    2010             2009
                          ----             ----    ----             ----

    Performance Ratios:
    Net interest margin   3.93%            3.24%   3.78%            3.26%
    Average interest rate
     spread               3.76%            3.00%   3.60%            2.97%
    Return on average
     assets*              0.14%           -5.22%   0.30%           -2.80%
    Return on average
     equity*              1.31%          -45.89%   2.82%          -23.21%


    * Annualized



                                                      As of
                                                      -----
                                       December 31,        December 31,
                                            2010                2009
                                      -------------       -------------
    Asset Quality Ratios:
    Non-performing assets to total
     assets                                     4.48%               6.58%
    Non-performing loans to total
     loans                                      4.13%               6.73%
    Allowance for loan losses to
     non-performing loans                      41.73%              31.05%
    Allowance for loan losses to
     total loans                                1.72%               2.09%

    "Texas Ratio" (Bank) (1)                   40.17%              64.29%

    Total non-performing loans
     ($000 omitted)                           $6,606             $11,786
    Total non-performing assets
     ($000 omitted)                           $9,689             $15,366


    (1)  Texas Ratio is defined by management as total non-performing
    assets divided by tangible capital plus allowance for loan losses.

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company at December 31, 2010 were $216.1 million, a decrease of $17.4 million, or 7.5%, from total assets of $233.5 million at December 31, 2009. Net loans receivable decreased $14.0 million to $157.2 million at December 31, 2010, due to adjustable-rate or balloon mortgage loans that have paid off or been refinanced and sold into the secondary market, consumer loan balances that have declined due to normal pay-downs, limited originations of loans to be held in the Company's portfolio and charge-offs of commercial loans. Investment securities available for sale increased $1.6 million and investment securities held to maturity decreased $1.4 million from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010 due in part to the restructuring of the investment portfolio during a previous quarter in an effort to reduce credit risk and improve risk-weighted capital ratios.

Deposits decreased by $2.6 million to $155.5 million at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009 as we continued our focus on building relationships rather than growing non-core deposits. FHLB advances decreased $15.4 million as our asset base decreased during the year.

The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 4.48% at December 31, 2010 compared to 6.58% at December 31, 2009. Non-performing assets decreased by $5.7 million from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010. The Company continues to closely monitor non-performing assets and has taken a variety of steps to reduce them, 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 $23.7 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $23.1 million at December 31, 2009. The increase was due primarily to net earnings for the year of $673,000. First Federal of Northern Michigan's regulatory capital remains at levels in excess of regulatory requirements, as shown in the table below.



                                           Actual
                                           ------
                                     Amount    Ratio
                                     ------    -----
                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
      Total risk-based
       capital ( to risk-
              weighted assets)       $23,202    15.84%
      Tier 1 risk-based
       capital ( to
              risk-weighted assets)  $21,366    14.58%
      Tangible Capital ( to
              tangible assets)       $21,366     9.95%



                                         Regulatory
                                          Minimum
                                          -------
                                     Amount   Ratio
                                     ------   -----
                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
      Total risk-based
       capital ( to risk-
              weighted assets)       $11,722    8.00%
      Tier 1 risk-based
       capital ( to
              risk-weighted assets)   $5,861    4.00%
      Tangible Capital ( to
              tangible assets)        $3,220    1.50%



                                              Minimum to be
                                                   Well
                                               Capitalized
                                              ------------
                                             Amount           Ratio
                                             ------           -----
                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
      Total risk-based
       capital ( to risk-
              weighted assets)                      $14,652    10.00%
      Tier 1 risk-based
       capital ( to
              risk-weighted assets)                  $8,791     6.00%
      Tangible Capital ( to
              tangible assets)                       $4,293     2.00%

Results of Operations

Interest income decreased slightly to $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $2.9 million for the year earlier period. Interest income decreased to $11.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $12.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001. The decrease in interest income for the twelve-month period was due to two main factors: a period over period decrease of $14.1 million in the average balance of our interest-earning assets and a decrease of 10 basis points in the yield on interest-earning assets due in part to lower market interest rates period over period.

Interest expense decreased to $739,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $1.1 million for the prior year period. Interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 decreased to $3.4 million from $5.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. The decreases in interest expense for both the three- and twelve-month periods were due in part to a $10.5 million and $8.9 million decrease, respectively, in the average balance of our interest-bearing liabilities during those periods. In addition, we experienced a decrease in our overall cost of funds of 59 basis points and 74 basis points for the three- and twelve-month periods, respectively, due to declining market interest rates and an increase in our lowering-costing core deposits of approximately $6 million.

The Company's net interest margin increased to 3.93% for the three-month period ended December 31, 2010 from 3.24% for the same period in 2009. During this time period, the average yield on interest-earning assets increased 18 basis points to 5.35% from 5.17%. The average cost of funds decreased 59 basis points to 1.58% from 2.17%, due to reductions of 60 basis points on our certificates of deposit, 24 basis points on our money market and NOW accounts, and 35 basis points on our FHLB advances quarter over quarter. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010, the Company's net interest margin increased to 3.78% from 3.26% for the same period in 2009. During this time period, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 10 basis points to 5.41% from 5.51%, while the cost of funds decreased 74 basis points to 1.81% from 2.55%.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended December 31, 2010 was $68,000, as compared to $2.7 million for the prior year period. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010, the provision for loan losses was $1.0 million as compared to $6.2 million for the same period ended December 31, 2009. For the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2009, we experienced increased provisions and charge-offs on several commercial credits. The comparably lower provision for the three- and twelve-months periods ended December 31, 2010 reflected the improvement in our credit quality and impaired loans from the prior year periods. 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 increased to $644,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 from $521,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2009. Non-interest income increased to $3.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 from $2.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. The increase for the three-month period included a $182,000 increase in mortgage banking activities income as refinance activity was significantly higher for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the prior year period. The twelve-month results reflected a $546,000 gain on sale of investments as a result of a restructuring of the investment portfolio in an effort to reduce credit risk as well as a $200,000 settlement on a lawsuit.

Non-interest expense decreased from $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009 to $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Non-interest expense increased $146,000 to $9.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 from $9.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. For the twelve-month period, other expenses increased primarily due to expenses associated with repossessed properties. Partially offsetting the increase in other expense, our FDIC premiums were $113,000 lower during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010 due in part to a decrease in deposits and in part to an FDIC special assessment of $108,000 paid during the second quarter of 2009.

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.



               Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Core Operating Earnings



                                    Three Months Ended
                                 12/31/10          12/31/09
                                 --------          --------

    Net income (loss)             $79,511       $(3,087,005)
    Provision for loan
     losses                        67,553         2,703,109
    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                          -          (111,049)
    Securities (gains)
     losses                       (49,595)                -
    Elevated loan,
     collection and
     repossessed asset
     costs (1)                    522,440           388,712
                                  -------           -------

    Pre-Tax, Pre-
     Provision Core
     Operating Earnings
     (loss)                      $619,909         $(106,233)
                                 ========         =========




                                    Twelve Months Ended
                                   12/31/10          12/31/09
                                   --------          --------

    Net income (loss)              $972,800       $(6,762,178)
    Provision for loan
     losses                       1,026,192         6,195,820
    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                            -         1,089,536
    Securities (gains)
     losses                        (546,412)           (1,227)
    Elevated loan,
     collection and
     repossessed asset
     costs (1)                    1,354,535           886,553
                                  ---------           -------

    Pre-Tax, Pre-
     Provision Core
     Operating Earnings
     (loss)                      $2,807,115        $1,408,504
                                 ==========        ==========


    (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



                                              December 31,   December 31,
                                                  2010           2009
                                             -------------  -------------
                                              (Unaudited)

    ASSETS
    Cash and cash equivalents:
    Cash on hand and due from banks             $1,889,999     $2,583,131
    Overnight deposits with FHLB                    72,658        515,927
                                                    ------        -------
    Total cash and cash equivalents              1,962,657      3,099,058
    Securities AFS                              35,301,238     33,712,724
    Securities HTM                               2,520,000      3,928,167
    Loans held for sale                                  -         51,970
    Loans receivable, net of allowance
     for loan losses of $2,756,332 and
      $3,660,344 as of December 31, 2010 and   157,218,918    171,219,105
      December 31, 2009, respectively
    Foreclosed real estate and other
     repossessed assets                          3,083,343      3,579,895
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at
     cost                                        3,775,400      4,196,900
    Premises and equipment                       6,026,793      6,563,683
    Accrued interest receivable                  1,230,938      1,230,287
    Intangible assets                              627,306        919,757
    Prepaid FDIC Premiums                          967,143      1,314,850
    Deferred Tax Asset                             659,194        559,235
    Other assets                                 2,745,034      3,130,063
                                                 ---------      ---------
    Total assets                              $216,117,964   $233,505,694
                                              ============   ============


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY
    Liabilities:
    Deposits                                  $155,465,896   $158,099,809
    Advances from borrowers for taxes
     and insurance                                 130,030        105,419
    Federal Home Loan Bank Advances             29,000,000     44,400,000
    Note Payable                                         -        630,927
    REPO Sweep Accounts                          6,172,362      5,407,791
    Accrued expenses and other
     liabilities                                 1,678,733      1,809,266
                                                 ---------      ---------
    Total liabilities                          192,447,021    210,453,212
                                               -----------    -----------

    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock ($0.01 par value
     20,000,000 shares authorized
      3,191,799 shares issued)                      31,920         31,920
    Additional paid-in capital                  23,822,152     23,722,767
    Retained earnings                            2,673,064      2,000,264
    Treasury stock at cost (307,750
     shares)                                    (2,963,918)    (2,963,918)
    Unearned compensation                          (38,382)      (161,678)
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                        146,107        423,127
                                                   -------        -------
    Total stockholders' equity                  23,670,943     23,052,482
                                                ----------     ----------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                     $216,117,964   $233,505,694
                                              ============   ============



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


                                                         For the Three
                                                             Months
                                                         Ended December
                                                               31,
                                                        ---------------

                                                           2010          2009
                                                           ----          ----
                                                   (Unaudited)
    Interest income:
    Interest and fees on loans                       $2,449,582    $2,534,151
    Interest and dividends on investments
      Taxable                                           133,715       134,299
      Tax-exempt                                         33,329        41,426
    Interest on mortgage-backed securities              157,581       146,449
                                                        -------       -------
    Total interest income                             2,774,207     2,856,325
                                                      ---------     ---------

    Interest expense:
    Interest on deposits                                496,281       720,521
    Interest on borrowings                              242,250       351,639
                                                        -------       -------
    Total interest expense                              738,531     1,072,160
                                                        -------     ---------

    Net interest income                               2,035,676     1,784,165
    Provision for loan losses                            67,553     2,703,109
                                                         ------     ---------
    Net interest income (expense) after
     provision for loan losses                        1,968,123      (918,944)
                                                      ---------      --------

    Non-interest income:
    Service charges and other fees                      194,455       207,939
    Mortgage banking activities                         427,527       245,842
    Gain on sale of available-for-sale
     investments                                         49,595             -
    Net (loss) gain on sale of premises and
     equipment,
      real estate owned and other repossessed
       assets                                           (96,006)       (4,913)
    Other                                                31,591        31,991
    Insurance & brokerage commissions                    36,691        40,174
                                                         ------        ------
    Total non-interest income                           643,853       521,033
                                                        -------       -------

    Non-interest expenses:
    Compensation and employee benefits                1,113,210     1,320,337
    FDIC insurance premiums                              88,360       102,820
    Advertising                                          37,577        23,680
    Occupancy                                           277,228       305,424
    Amortization of intangible assets                    73,113        73,113
    Service bureau charges                               76,686        79,492
    Professional services                                94,249       118,137
    Other                                               772,042       777,140
                                                        -------       -------
    Total non-interest expenses                       2,532,465     2,800,144
                                                      ---------     ---------

    Income (loss) from continuing operations
     before income tax expense                           79,511    (3,198,054)
    Income tax (benefit) expense from
     continuing operations                                    -      (111,049)
                                                            ---      --------
    Net Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                                          79,511    (3,087,005)

    Loss from discontinued operations, net of
     income tax benefit
    of $0, $0 $0, and $29,745, respectively                   -             -
    Gain on sale of discontinued operations,
     net of income tax expense
    of $0, $0, $0, and $19,585, respectively                  -             -

    Loss from discontinued operations                         -             -


    Net income (loss)                                    79,511    (3,087,005)
                                                         ======    ==========



    Per share data:
    Income (loss) per share from continuing
     operations
        Basic                                             $0.03        $(1.07)
        Diluted                                           $0.03        $(1.07)
    Loss per share from discontinued operations
        Basic                                                $-            $-
        Diluted                                              $-            $-
    Net income (loss) per share
        Basic                                             $0.03        $(1.07)
        Diluted                                           $0.03        $(1.07)

    Dividends per common share                               $-            $-



                                                     For the Twelve
                                                         Months
                                                  Ended December 31,
                                                  ------------------

                                                        2010          2009
                                                        ----          ----
                                                (Unaudited)
    Interest income:
    Interest and fees on loans                   $10,133,014   $11,104,555
    Interest and dividends on investments
      Taxable                                        480,124       547,503
      Tax-exempt                                     185,334       213,010
    Interest on mortgage-backed securities           648,183       577,377
                                                     -------       -------
    Total interest income                         11,446,655    12,442,445
                                                  ----------    ----------

    Interest expense:
    Interest on deposits                           2,295,944     3,457,053
    Interest on borrowings                         1,150,717     1,630,886
                                                   ---------     ---------
    Total interest expense                         3,446,661     5,087,939
                                                   ---------     ---------

    Net interest income                            7,999,994     7,354,506
    Provision for loan losses                      1,026,192     6,195,820
                                                   ---------     ---------
    Net interest income (expense) after
     provision for loan losses                     6,973,803     1,158,686
                                                   ---------     ---------

    Non-interest income:
    Service charges and other fees                   803,993       869,427
    Mortgage banking activities                    1,438,161     1,413,468
    Gain on sale of available-for-sale
     investments                                     546,412         1,227
    Net (loss) gain on sale of premises and
     equipment,
      real estate owned and other repossessed
       assets                                        (43,285)       20,438
    Other                                            300,839        99,988
    Insurance & brokerage commissions                159,046       169,971
                                                     -------       -------
    Total non-interest income                      3,205,166     2,574,519
                                                   ---------     ---------

    Non-interest expenses:
    Compensation and employee benefits             4,681,777     4,735,104
    FDIC insurance premiums                          365,728       479,627
    Advertising                                      135,889       117,335
    Occupancy                                      1,155,699     1,202,478
    Amortization of intangible assets                292,451       273,096
    Service bureau charges                           313,612       334,535
    Professional services                            425,459       477,848
    Other                                          2,135,553     1,739,966
                                                   ---------     ---------
    Total non-interest expenses                    9,506,168     9,359,989
                                                   ---------     ---------

    Income (loss) from continuing operations
     before income tax expense                       672,800    (5,626,784)
    Income tax (benefit) expense from
     continuing operations                                 -     1,089,536
                                                         ---     ---------
    Net Income (loss) from continuing
     operations                                      672,800    (6,716,320)

    Loss from discontinued operations, net of
     income tax benefit
    of $0, $0 $0, and $29,745, respectively                -       (83,875)
    Gain on sale of discontinued operations,
     net of income tax expense
    of $0, $0, $0, and $19,585, respectively               -        38,017
                                                                    ------
    Loss from discontinued operations                      -       (45,858)
                                                                   -------

    Net income (loss)                                672,800    (6,762,178)
                                                     =======    ==========



    Per share data:
    Income (loss) per share from continuing
     operations
        Basic                                          $0.23        $(2.33)
        Diluted                                        $0.23        $(2.33)
    Loss per share from discontinued operations
        Basic                                             $-        $(0.01)
        Diluted                                           $-        $(0.01)
    Net income (loss) per share
        Basic                                          $0.23        $(2.34)
        Diluted                                        $0.23        $(2.34)

    Dividends per common share                            $-            $-

SOURCE First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.