Sussex Bancorp announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, the company reported net interest income of $6,587,000 compared to $5,295,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $2,329,000 compared to $1,363,000 a year ago. Net income was $1,523,000 or $0.32 per diluted share compared to $913,000 or $0.20 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.74% against 0.55% and return on average equity was 10.14% against 6.79% reported last year. The improvement in net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period last year was mostly driven by a 24.4% increase in net interest income as a result of strong growth in average loans and deposits, which increased $159.0 million, or 30.5%, and $94.0 million, or 22.4%, respectively.  The increase in net interest income was partly offset by higher non-interest expenses of $528,000, provision for loan losses of $107,000 due to loan growth and an increase in income tax expense. The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $161.7 million, or 25.5%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $159.0 million, or 30.5%.  The improvement in net interest income was partly offset by a decline in the net interest margin of 4 basis points to 3.35% for the fourth quarter of 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015. For the year, the company reported net interest income of $24,398,000 compared to $20,076,000 a year ago. Income before income taxes was $8,351,000 compared to $5,340,000 a year ago. Net income was $5,523,000 or $1.19 per diluted share compared to $3,700,000 or $0.81 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.72% against 0.59% and return on average equity was 9.60% against 7.02% reported last year. Book value per common share was $12.67 compared to $11.61 a year ago. Tangible book value per common share was $12.08 compared to $11.00 a year ago. The improvement in net income for 2016 was driven by a $4.3 million, or 21.5%, increase in net interest income as a result of strong growth in average loans and interest-bearing deposits, which increased $136.4 million, or 27.9%, and $77.0 million, or 19.0%, respectively, and Tri State Insurance Agency’s increase in contribution to net income before income taxes of $529,000, or 79.0%, as compared to the same period in 2015. The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $141.3 million, or 23.7%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans, which increased $136.4 million, or 27.9%.