United Community Financial (UCFC) 8-K Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Exhibit 99

275 West Federal Street

Youngstown, Ohio 44503-1203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:
Colleen Scott	James R. Reske
Vice President of Marketing	Chief Financial Officer
Home Savings	United Community Financial Corp.
(330) 742-0638	(330) 742-0592
cscott@homesavings.com	jreske@ucfconline.com

United Community Financial Corp. Announces Fourth Quarter Results;

Profitability Returns

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (March 15, 2013) – United Community Financial Corp. (Company) (Nasdaq: UCFC), holding company of The Home Savings and Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio (Home Savings), today reported consolidated net income of $2.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The Company also reported a net loss of $20.4 million, or $(0.62) per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

Selected fourth quarter results:

• Delinquent loans were $48.2 million at December 31, 2012, down 62.0% for the year

• Nonperforming assets were $66.2 million at December 31, 2012, down 57.7% for the year

• Classified loans were $59.9 million at December 31, 2012, down 72.8% for the year

• Home Savings’ Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.70% and the total risk based capital ratio was 16.21%

Patrick W. Bevack, President and Chief Executive Officer of UCFC and Home Savings, commented that, “Ending the year on a positive note with net income for the quarter is exactly where we want to be. More significantly, the announcements we made earlier this year regarding the capital raise and the rights offering, as well as the termination of the Consent Order, further exemplify the trust and confidence that investors and regulators have in our Company.”

1

Asset Quality

Delinquent loans were $48.2 million at December 31, 2012, down $147.0 million, or 75.3%, from their high point of $195.2 million at March 31, 2010. Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2012 were $47.8 million, down $107.3 million, or 69.2%, from their high point of $155.1 million at June 30, 2010. Nonperforming assets were $66.2 million at December 31, 2012, down $131.0 million, or 66.4%, from their high point of $197.2 million at June 30, 2010. Home Savings achieved this significant improvement in asset quality primarily as a result of the successful completion of a bulk asset sale in the third quarter of 2012. Of the loans sold in the bulk asset sale, $91.6 million were classified, $63.3 million were nonperforming and $53.0 million were noncurrent.

The provision for loan losses was $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $30.3 million for the third quarter in 2012. The provision expense in the third quarter of 2012 included $29.4 million directly associated with the bulk asset sale. The provision for loan losses was $39.3 million for all of 2012, as compared to $24.7 million for all of 2011.

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2012 was $14.0 million, as compared to $14.1 million the prior quarter. The net interest margin improved six basis points from 3.17% during the third quarter to 3.23% during the fourth quarter.

Total interest income decreased $394,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2012, primarily as a result of a decrease of $128.8 million in the average balance of outstanding loans. Home Savings also experienced a decrease in yield on those assets of 31 basis points during the quarter.

Total interest expense decreased $277,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the previous quarter. The change was due to a reduction of $278,000 in interest paid on deposits. The average outstanding balance of certificates of deposit declined by $51.9 million, while non-time deposits increased by $5.4 million. Also contributing to the change was a reduction of seven basis points in the cost of certificates of deposit.

Net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, was $60.4 million and $65.2 million, respectively. Total interest income decreased $17.9 million in 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of a decrease of $295.0 million in the average balance of outstanding loans. United Community also experienced a decrease in the yield on net loans of 28 basis points. Home Savings’ construction and segments of its commercial real estate loan portfolios declined as a result of executing its strategic objective of reducing specific concentrations in these portfolios, as well as the bulk asset sale.

2

Total interest expense decreased $13.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the same period last year. The change was due primarily to reductions of $12.4 million in interest paid on deposits. The overall decrease in interest expense was attributable to the maturity of higher cost Step CDs and a shift in deposit balances from certificates of deposit to relatively less expensive non-time deposits. Between December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, the average outstanding balance of certificates of deposit declined by $222.1 million (of which $140.0 million were Step CDs), while non-time deposits increased by $47.6 million. Also contributing to the decrease in interest expense was a reduction of 94 basis points in the cost of certificates of deposit, as well as a decrease in the cost of non-time deposits of 14 basis points.

The primary cause of the decrease in interest expense on FHLB advances was a decrease in the average balance of those funds of $20.6 million, in addition to a rate decrease on those borrowings of 19 basis points in 2012 compared to 2011. These decreases were caused by the prepayment of $25.7 million of term advances in the second and third quarters of 2012 and the need to use fewer short-term overnight advances during the period.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $6.9 million, as compared to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2012. The $3.1 million increase was driven by a recovery of $1.3 million on previously recorded valuation on mortgage servicing rights in December compared to an impairment charge of $672,000 recognized in September. Lower losses on the valuation and sales of REO were also recognized in the fourth quarter as compared to the previous quarter.

Noninterest income decreased slightly in 2012 to $22.7 million, as compared to $23.2 million in 2011. Accounting for the change was the sale of four retail branches in 2011, at which time, Home Savings recorded a $4.2 million gain in noninterest income. No branch sale transactions occurred in 2012. Home Savings also sold fewer securities in 2012, recognizing fewer gains on the sale of those securities as a result. Partially offsetting these declines were net recoveries of $1.1 million in adjustments to mortgage servicing rights during 2012, recorded in service fees and other charges. Furthermore, Home Savings recognized higher mortgage banking income in 2012 and incurred fewer losses on the valuation and disposition of real estate owned and other repossessed assets in 2012 as compared to 2011.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense was $14.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to $17.3 million in the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of $3.0 million. Professional fees, including legal and other consultants, were lower during the fourth quarter of 2012 due to the engagement of professionals in the third quarter to assist management in completing the bulk asset sale. Professional fees specifically associated with the bulk asset sale aggregated $1.2 million. Lower salaries and employee benefits also contributed to the change. Other expenses were also lower in the fourth quarter as the Bank recognized expenses in the third quarter aggregating $1.8 million for the payment of delinquent real estate taxes on properties that were part of the bulk asset sale.

3

Noninterest expense was $65.2 million in 2012, compared to $63.5 million in 2011. During 2012, salaries and employee benefits increased because of the recognition of expenses associated with severance payments made during the year resulting from our expense reduction efforts, as well as increased hospitalization and incentive plans. Also contributing to the increase were expenses incurred due to the prepayment of FHLB term advances. Professional fees and real estate tax payments were higher in 2012 as a direct result of the bulk asset sale.

Capital and Book Value

Home Savings’ Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.70% as of December 31, 2012, as compared to 8.27% at September 30, 2012. Home Savings’ total risk-based capital ratio was 16.21% at December 31, 2012, as compared to 15.85% at September 30, 2012. Tangible book value per share at December 31, 2012 was $5.16, as compared to $5.21 at September 30, 2012.

The Consent Order issued by the FDIC and the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions in 2012 required Home Savings to maintain a Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio at a minimum of 9.0% and a total risk-based capital ratio of no less than 12.0%; however, the Memorandum of Understanding entered into on January 31, 2013, now requires Home Savings to maintain these ratios at 8.5% and 12.0%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, the FDIC categorized Home Savings as adequately capitalized pursuant to the Consent Order. However, because the FDIC and the Ohio Division terminated the Consent Order on January 31, 2013, Home Savings is now considered well capitalized. Home Savings is also no longer considered to be in troubled condition.

On January 11, 2013, United Community entered into securities purchase agreements with 28 accredited investors (the Investors) pursuant to which the Investors will, in a private offering, invest an aggregate of approximately $39.9 million in United Community. United Community has confirmed that no bank regulatory approvals are required. United Community presently expects the private offering to close on March 22, 2013.

Home Savings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and operates 33 full-service banking offices and eight loan production offices located throughout Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Additional information on the Company and Home Savings may be found on the Company’s web site: www.ucfconline.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus satisfying the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The securities offered in the private offerings have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

4

###

When used in this press release, the words or phrases “believes,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project”, “will have” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Company’s market area, and competition that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. 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 advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

5

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

	December 31,			December 31,
	2012			2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and deposits with banks	$	26,041		$	26,573
Federal funds sold and other		16,572			27,563
Total cash and cash equivalents		42,613			54,136
Securities:
Available for sale, at fair value		574,562			459,598
Loans held for sale		13,031			12,727
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $21,130 and $42,271, respectively		1,066,240			1,379,276
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		26,464			26,464
Premises and equipment, net		21,549			19,175
Accrued interest receivable		6,238			6,741
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets		18,440			33,486
Core deposit intangible		238			346
Cash surrender value of life insurance		28,881			28,354
Other assets		10,109			10,384
Total assets	$	1,808,365		$	2,030,687
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest bearing	$	1,302,307		$	1,440,448
Noninterest bearing		159,767			148,049
Total deposits		1,462,074			1,588,497
Borrowed funds:
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		50,000			128,155
Repurchase agreements and other		90,598			90,618
Total borrowed funds		140,598			218,773
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		23,590			23,282
Accrued interest payable		563			610
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		10,780			10,780
Total liabilities		1,637,605			1,841,942
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock-no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and unissued		—			—
Common stock-no par value; 499,000,000 shares authorized; 37,804,457 shares issued and 33,027,886 and 32,597,762 shares, respectively, outstanding		128,026			128,031
Retained earnings		86,345			110,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income		6,682			5,032
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,776,571 and 5,206,695 shares, respectively		(50,293	)		(54,999	)
Total shareholders’ equity		170,760			188,745
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,808,365		$	2,030,687

6

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months Ended									For the Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,			September 30,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
	2012			2012			2011			2012			2011
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
Loans	$	13,862		$	14,567		$	18,801		$	63,044		$	82,290
Loans held for sale		119			101			272			424			542
Securities:
Available for sale		3,488			3,219			3,102			13,741			12,366
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends		316			279			267			1,175			1,125
Other interest earning assets		12			25			29			60			64
Total interest income		17,797			18,191			22,471			78,444			96,387
Interest expense
Deposits		2,322			2,600			5,957			11,896			24,341
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		535			535			748			2,415			3,162
Repurchase agreements and other		929			928			928			3,695			3,709
Total interest expense		3,786			4,063			7,633			18,006			31,212
Net interest income		14,011			14,128			14,838			60,438			65,175
Provision for loan losses		2,102			30,279			2,386			39,325			24,658
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		11,909			(16,151	)		12,452			21,113			40,517
Non-interest income
Non-deposit investment income		373			478			348			1,898			1,398
Service fees and other charges		2,794			793			1,172			6,805			4,416
Net gains (losses):
Securities available for sale		1,164			1,192			5,133			6,325			8,633
Other -than-temporary loss on equity securities
Total impairment loss		(13	)		—			(16	)		(13	)		(89	)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income		—			—			—			—			—
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings		(13	)		—			(16	)		(13	)		(89	)
Mortgage banking income		2,083			2,110			1,243			7,391			5,675
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets		(744	)		(1,795	)		(1,184	)		(4,191	)		(6,165	)
Gain on retail branch sale		—			—			4,154			—			4,154
Other income		1,282			974			1,171			4,516			5,203
Total non-interest income		6,939			3,752			12,021			22,731			23,225
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		7,253			8,634			7,863			32,934			31,160
Occupancy		849			845			794			3,344			3,409
Equipment and data processing		1,821			1,665			1,680			6,895			6,590
Franchise tax		445			521			254			1,841			1,495
Advertising		292			134			354			778			820
Amortization of core deposit intangible		25			26			33			108			139
Prepayment penalty		—			65			—			803			—
Deposit insurance premiums		1,026			1,012			1,282			4,202			4,855
Professional fees		1,204			2,219			1,132			5,342			3,677
Real estate owned and other repossessed asset expenses		239			383			766			1,743			2,891
Other expenses		1,148			1,826			2,387			7,179			8,476
Total non-interest expenses		14,302			17,330			16,545			65,169			63,512
Income (loss) before income taxes		4,546			(29,729	)		7,928			(21,325	)		230
Income tax expense (benefit)		1,950			(2,838	)		—			(888	)		—
Net income (loss)	$	2,596		$	(26,891	)	$	7,928		$	(20,437	)	$	230
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$	0.08		$	(0.82	)	$	0.25		$	(0.62	)	$	0.01
Diluted		0.08			(0.82	)		0.25			(0.62	)		0.01

7

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

	At or for the quarters ended
	December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Financial Data
Total assets	$	1,808,365		$	1,830,944		$	1,906,995		$	2,041,964		$	2,030,687
Total loans, net		1,066,240			1,100,328			1,249,595			1,325,101			1,379,276
Total securities		574,562			551,795			431,040			530,283			459,598
Total deposits		1,462,074			1,490,642			1,541,699			1,571,859			1,588,497
Total shareholders’ equity		170,760			171,580			195,631			190,014			188,745
Net interest income		14,011			14,128			16,420			15,879			14,838
Provision for loan losses		2,102			30,279			6,264			680			2,386
Noninterest income, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses		6,952			3,752			6,949			5,091			12,037
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		13			—			—			—			16
Noninterest expense		14,302			17,330			17,043			16,494			16,545
Income tax expense (benefit)		1,950			(2,838	)		—			—			—
Net income (loss)		2,596			(26,891	)		62			3,796			7,928
Share Data
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.08		$	(0.82	)	$	—		$	0.12		$	0.25
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		0.08			(0.82	)		—			0.12			0.25
Book value per share		5.17			5.22			5.95			5.78			5.79
Tangible book value per share		5.16			5.21			5.94			5.77			5.78
Market value per share		2.89			3.49			2.98			2.44			1.27
Shares outstanding at end of period		33,028			32,891			32,885			32,876			32,598
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic		32,880			32,751			32,802			32,693			31,295
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted		33,153			32,751			32,843			23,697			31,295
Key Ratios
Return on average assets		0.57	%		-5.67	%		0.01	%		0.74	%		1.53	%
Return on average equity		6.06	%		-53.53	%		0.12	%		7.89	%		16.97	%
Net interest margin		3.23	%		3.17	%		3.55	%		3.30	%		3.04	%
Efficiency ratio		69.50	%		93.62	%		78.50	%		77.35	%		87.96	%
Capital Ratios
Tier 1 leverage ratio		8.70	%		8.27	%		9.32	%		8.96	%		8.61	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		14.95	%		14.59	%		15.16	%		13.94	%		13.30	%
Total risk-based capital ratio		16.21	%		15.85	%		16.43	%		15.21	%		14.57	%
Equity to assets		9.44	%		9.37	%		10.26	%		9.31	%		9.29	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		9.43	%		9.36	%		10.24	%		9.29	%		9.28	%

8

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

	At or for the quarters ended
	December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Loan Portfolio Composition
Real Estate Loans
One-to four-family residential	$	577,249		$	587,220		$	635,756		$	649,000		$	667,375
Multi-family residential*		80,923			82,518			98,545			114,493			120,991
Nonresidential*		138,188			150,693			229,303			263,891			276,198
Land*		15,808			16,363			19,113			19,735			23,222
Construction Loans
One-to four-family residential and land development		28,318			32,483			42,077			49,311			59,339
Multi-family and nonresidential*		4,534			4,480			4,528			4,527			4,528
Total real estate loans		845,020			873,757			1,029,322			1,100,957			1,151,653
Consumer Loans		214,593			222,995			225,067			231,008			238,397
Commercial Loans		26,543			22,183			24,799			26,434			30,146
Total Loans		1,086,156			1,118,935			1,279,188			1,358,399			1,420,196
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		21,130			20,048			30,933			34,523			42,271
Deferred loan costs, net		(1,214	)		(1,441	)		(1,340	)		(1,225	)		(1,351	)
Total		19,916			18,607			29,593			33,298			40,920
Loans, net	$	1,066,240		$	1,100,328		$	1,249,595		$	1,325,101		$	1,379,276

* Categories are considered commercial real estate

	At or for the quarters ended
	December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit Portfolio Composition
Checking accounts
Interest bearing checking accounts	$	132,947		$	128,794		$	126,502		$	129,795		$	119,298
Non-interest bearing checking accounts		159,767			159,361			162,152			164,155			148,049
Total checking accounts		292,714			288,155			288,654			293,950			267,347
Savings accounts		264,411			259,578			259,593			256,628			234,828
Money market accounts		345,651			345,428			344,750			339,824			314,907
Total non-time deposits		902,776			893,161			892,997			890,402			817,082
Retail certificates of deposit		559,298			597,481			648,632			681,457			771,415
Total certificates of deposit		559,298			597,481			648,632			681,457			771,415
Total deposits	$	1,462,074		$	1,490,642		$	1,541,629		$	1,571,859		$	1,588,497
Certificates of deposit as a percent of total deposits		38.25	%		40.08	%		42.07	%		43.35	%		48.56	%

9

UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Unaudited)

	At or for the quarters ended
	December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance For Loan Losses
Beginning balance	$	20,048		$	30,933		$	34,523		$	42,271		$	44,162
Provision		2,102			30,279			6,264			680			2,386
Net chargeoffs		(1,020	)		(41,164	)		(9,854	)		(8,428	)		(4,277	)
Ending balance	$	21,130		$	20,048		$	30,933		$	34,523		$	42,271
Net Charge-offs
Real Estate Loans
One-to four-family	$	317		$	15,010		$	962		$	762		$	366
Multi-family		(1	)		5,632			588			68			203
Nonresidential		224			15,340			7,057			2,579			975
Land		(155	)		1,561			44			1,776			217
Construction Loans
One-to four-family residential and land development		259			2,658			516			2,098			1,874
Multi-family and nonresidential		(16	)		(120	)		4			—			—
Total real estate loans		628			40,081			9,171			7,283			3,635
Consumer Loans		397			1,536			160			745			493
Commercial Loans		(5	)		(453	)		523			400			149
Total	$	1,020		$	41,164		$	9,854		$	8,428		$	4,277
	At or for the quarters ended
	December 31, 2012			September 30, 2012			June 30, 2012			March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Loans
Real Estate Loans
One-to four family residential	$	5,437		$	5,817		$	26,705		$	23,721		$	26,637
Multi-family residential		2,027			1,512			9,582			5,411			5,860
Nonresidential		20,743			17,484			43,103			41,871			42,902
Land		6,047			6,228			8,316			8,472			11,142
Construction Loans
One-to four-family residential and land development		7,466			9,527			18,335			22,455			27,104
Multi-family and nonresidential		—			—			—			—			—
Total real estate loans		41,720			40,568			106,041			101,930			113,645
Consumer Loans		4,842			4,921			6,702			6,165			6,620
Commercial Loans		1,225			1,068			1,786			1,813			2,830
Total Loans	$	47,787		$	46,557		$	114,529		$	109,908		$	123,095
Total Nonperforming Loans and Nonperforming Assets
Past due 90 days and on nonaccrual status	$	38,378		$	41,335		$	97,357		$	91,153		$	104,812
Past due 90 days and still accruing		3,678			47			47			303			39
Past due 90 days		42,056			41,382			97,404			91,456			104,851
Past due less than 90 days and on nonaccrual		5,731			5,175			17,125			18,452			18,244
Total Nonperforming Loans		47,787			46,557			114,529			109,908			123,095
Other Real Estate Owned		18,075			19,732			24,325			28,517			32,946
Repossessed Assets		365			474			453			540			540
Total Nonperforming Assets	$	66,227		$	66,763		$	139,307		$	138,965		$	156,581
Total Troubled Debt Restructured Loans
Accruing	$	21,006		$	17,002		$	18,530		$	35,657		$	33,146
Non-accruing		4,430			4,531			14,250			15,161			17,752
Total	$	25,436		$	21,533		$	32,780		$	50,818		$	50,898

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