German American Bancorp Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. For the quarter, the company reported total interest income of $20,016,000 against $16,314,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $16,407,000 against $12,630,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $7,511,000 against $4,668,000 a year ago. Net income was $5,573,000 or $0.44 per diluted share against net income of $3,152,000 or $0.28 per diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.17% compared to 0.90% reported a year ago. Return on average equity was 13.39% compared to 10.14% reported a year ago. Book value per common share as at December 31, 2011 was $13.31 compared to $10.94 as at December 31, 2010. The increased net interest income was largely the result of a higher level of earning assets largely driven by growth in the company's core deposit base and the acquisition of American Community. For the full year, the company reported total interest income of $80,161,000 against $64,193,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $63,981,000 against $48,671,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $27,975,000 against $19,028,000 a year ago. Net income was $20,249,000 or $1.61 per diluted share against net income of $13,405,000 or $1.21 per diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.11% compared to 1.01% reported a year ago. Return on average equity was 12.67% compared to 11.18% reported a year ago. This record 2011 performance was driven both by significant organic deposit growth in the company's core operations within its existing markets and by its expansion into the Evansville, Indiana market in connection with the acquisition of American Community Bancorp Inc., and its banking subsidiary, the Bank of Evansville, that occurred as of January 1, 2011. The company announced net charge offs for the quarter was $2,754,000 compared to negative net charge offs of $267,000 for the same period a year ago. The company also announced that its Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share which will be payable on February 20, 2012 to shareholders of record as of February 10, 2012.