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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Paul S. Feeley For Release: Immediately
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER &
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(617) 628-4000
CENTRAL BANCORP REPORTS
IMPROVED QUARTERLY EARNINGS
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, October 28, 2005 - Central Bancorp, Inc.
(NASDAQ:CEBK) today reported that its net income improved more than 23% to
$624,000, or $.43 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005,
from $506,000, or $.33 per diluted share, for the corresponding quarter in the
prior fiscal year. The Company's earnings for the six months ended September 30,
2005 of $1,330,000, or $.93 per diluted share, rose nearly 39% from the earnings
of $960,000, or $.61 per diluted share, for the six-months ended September 30,
2004.
The improvement in earnings for the quarterly periods reflected several
positive developments, including a $268,000 increase in net interest and
dividend income and a $196,000 increase in non-interest income primarily
attributable to loan fee income and a higher level of brokerage fees earned
during the period. Partially offsetting these items was a charge of $283,000 in
the 2005 quarter associated with a restructuring during the quarter. This
restructuring involved voluntary employment termination packages offered to
selected employees that are expected to have long-term cost savings for the
Company.
Central Bancorp's Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, John
D. Doherty, commented, "Our Company's earnings have continued to improve,
reflecting our ongoing efforts to increase our deposit and lending activities.
At September 30, 2005, our assets of nearly $540 million, our loans of almost
$414 million and our deposits of more than $350 million were all at record
levels. Loans and deposits increased by approximately $11 million each during
the current quarter. Asset quality continues to be outstanding, with two
non-performing loans totaling $148 thousand. Achieving these positive results
during these uncertain and competitive economic times is very gratifying."
(CONTINUED)
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CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
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"As we previously informed stockholders, the Board of Directors
increased our quarterly cash dividend in July by 50%, to $.18 per share. Last
week, the Board declared our most recent dividend at that same level for payment
on November 18th - representing a dividend yield of 2.61% on the date the
dividend was declared," continued Mr. Doherty.
The earnings improvement for the six months ended September 30, 2005
was primarily attributable to a $720,000 increase in net interest and dividend
income and a $267,000 rise in non-interest income, partially offset by an
increase in non-interest expenses of $314,000.
Central Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Central Bank, whose
legal name is Central Co-operative Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered co-operative
bank operating eight full service banking offices, a limited service high school
branch in suburban Boston and a stand alone 24-hour automated teller machine in
Somerville.
(SEE ACCOMPANYING TABLES.)
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THIS PRESS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE
BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS REGARDING ECONOMIC, LEGISLATIVE AND
REGULATORY ISSUES THAT MAY IMPACT THE COMPANY'S EARNINGS IN FUTURE PERIODS.
FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE FUTURE RESULTS TO VARY MATERIALLY FROM CURRENT
MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, GENERAL ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS, CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES, DEPOSIT FLOWS, REAL ESTATE VALUES AND
COMPETITION; CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, POLICIES OR GUIDELINES; CHANGES
IN LEGISLATION OR REGULATION; AND OTHER ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, GOVERNMENTAL,
REGULATORY AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS,
PRICING, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
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CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
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CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Net interest and dividend income $ 4,214 $ 3,946 $ 8,373 $ 7,653
Provision for loan losses 50 -- 100 50
Net gain on sales and write-downs
of investment securities 96 214 213 348
Gain on sale of loans 85 56 140 119
Other non-interest income 425 229 747 480
Non-interest expenses 3,805 3,611 7,319 7,005
------- ------- ------- -------
Income before taxes 965 834 2,054 1,545
Provision for income taxes 341 328 724 585
------- ------- ------- -------
Net income $ 624 $ 506 $ 1,330 $ 960
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Earnings per share:
Basic $ .44 $ .33 $ .93 $ .62
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Diluted $ .43 $ .33 $ .93 $ .61
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Weighted average number of
shares outstanding:
Basic 1,427 1,538 1,425 1,549
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Diluted 1,436 1,550 1,433 1,562
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Outstanding shares, end of period 1,590 1,589 1,590 1,589
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
SEPTEMBER 30, March 31,
2005 2005
-----------------------------
Total assets $ 539,787 $ 521,071
Investment securities available for sale 100,978 108,616
Total loans (1) 413,837 388,603
Allowance for loan losses 3,783 3,681
Deposits 350,281 333,215
Borrowings 141,527 141,197
Subordinated debenture 5,258 5,258
Stockholders' equity 39,034 38,239
Book value per share 24.55 24.07
(1) Includes loans held for sale of $264 and $2,221 at September 30, (2005)
and March 31, 2005, respectively.