SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally owned Lighthouse Bank (OTC Bulletin Board: LGHT) today released unaudited financial results for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 2013. The Bank posted a $653 thousand profit for the period, representing the 17(th) successive quarter of profitable operations and record quarterly earnings. Lighthouse Bank has posted consecutive record earnings for each of the past 15 quarters. For the period, earnings surpassed the record set for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, and represented a 29% increase in earnings compared to the same period ended September 30, 2012. Shareholders' equity increased by $681 thousand to $22.3 million during the 3(rd) quarter of 2013. The Bank experienced solid growth in loans, up 7% from September 30, 2012. Deposits decreased 8% year-over-year, due to the departure of a single multimillion dollar short-term account during the 1(st) quarter of 2013. Overall positive performance continued to be driven by the Bank's control of overhead expenses and growth in the loan portfolio.

The Bank's loan loss reserve of 2.87% of gross loans remained significantly above the industry average of 1.75% for banks under $1 billion in size. The Bank had no nonperforming loans and no past due loans in excess of 30 days at September 30, 2013 and has experienced no loan losses year-to-date. Since opening in 2007, Lighthouse Bank's cumulative net loan losses have totaled only $184 thousand.

During the quarter, return on average equity increased to a record 11.76%. In spite of this extremely strong performance Lighthouse Bank stock (LGHT) continues to trade at under book value.

Lighthouse Bank will mark its 6(th) anniversary on October 29, 2013. Since opening, the Bank's consistently strong financial results continue to place it among industry leaders. The Bank is currently rated by Bauer Financial as 5-Star "Superior", the top rating given by the independent bank rating firm. The Findley Reports, a well known banking publication named Lighthouse Bank as a "Super Premier" performing bank, their highest ranking and FMC Consulting named Lighthouse Bank the top rated state chartered Bank on the Central Coast. Lighthouse Bank has no financial relationship with any of these rating agencies.

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE BANK:
Lighthouse Bank is a locally owned and operated full-service commercial bank located in Santa Cruz, CA. The Bank offers a full array of banking products and services to businesses, professionals, individuals, developers and commercial property owners. The Bank is dedicated to providing exceptional personalized service and access to decision makers who are always close at hand. The Bank offers a unique worldwide ATM fee rebate program and complimentary business courier service which expands the geographical reach of its banking office location throughout Santa Cruz County. Lighthouse Bank is committed to operating an open, ethical and financially successful company without engaging in the corporate excesses that have come to characterize the financial services industry. All decisions are intended to contribute to the long-term success of its clients, employees, owners and the community it serves. The Bank received no TARP funds and has neither accepted nor requested government assistance of any kind. Lighthouse Bank has never been subject to either formal or informal regulatory action.

Lighthouse Bank is located at 111 Mission Street in Downtown Santa Cruz, CA. Lighthouse Bank's common stock is listed on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board under the stock symbol LGHT. More Information on the Bank may be obtained through its website www.lighthousebank.net or by calling 831-600-4000.



                                               Selected Financial Data (unaudited)

                         Quarter-Ended                              Change                      Quarter-Ended    Change                           Year-to-Date Ended Change
                                                                                                                                                  ------------------ ------

                                         9/30/2013                              6/30/2013%                    9/30/2012*                %                                   9/30/2013  9/30/2012*             %
                                         ---------                              ----------                     ----------               ---                                  ---------  ----------            ---


    Balance Sheet


    Total assets                      $160,699,244                            $160,088,961   0%                           $171,533,262        -6%

    Gross loans                        100,119,098                             101,845,479  -2%                             93,756,667         7%

    Allowance for loan
     losses                              2,874,031                               2,874,031   0%                              2,807,916         2%

    Non interest-
     bearing deposits                   33,021,385                              32,208,453   3%                             38,921,706       -15%

    Total deposits                     137,647,912                             137,893,677   0%                            150,387,191        -8%

    Shareholders' equity                22,270,053                              21,588,909   3%                             20,421,740         9%


    Income Statement


    Interest income                      2,036,849                               1,865,314   9%                              1,768,810        15%                           $5,701,431             $5,261,193        8%

    Interest expense                       106,932                                 108,506  -1%                                148,291       -28%                              329,049                446,107      -26%
                                           -------                                 -------                                     -------                                         -------                -------

    Net interest income                  1,929,917                               1,756,808  10%                              1,620,519        19%                            5,372,382              4,815,086       12%


    Provision for loan
     losses                                      -                                       -   0%                                 90,000      -100%                                    -                198,000     -100%

    Non-interest income                    105,810                                  79,924  32%                                 88,596        19%                              268,484                269,592        0%

    Non-interest expense                   978,861                                 947,600   3%                                895,887         9%                            2,876,232              2,767,069        4%
                                           -------                                 -------                                     -------                                       ---------              ---------

    Net income before
     taxes                               1,056,866                                 889,132  19%                                723,228        46%                            2,764,634              2,119,609       30%

    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                             403,749                                 328,958  23%                                266,171        52%                            1,030,702                780,066       32%
                                           -------                                 -------                                     -------                                       ---------                -------


    Net income                            $653,117                                $560,174  17%                               $457,057        43%                           $1,733,932             $1,339,543       29%
                                          ========                                ========                                    ========                                      ==========             ==========


    Earnings per share
     (basic) *                               $0.31                                   $0.26  19%                                  $0.21        48%                                $0.81                  $0.63       29%

    Book value per share
     *                                      $10.41                                  $10.09   3%                                  $9.54         9%                               $10.41                  $9.54        9%


    Ratios

    Net interest margin                       4.91%                                   4.57%                                       4.07%

    Equity capital-to-
     total assets                             13.9%                                   13.5%                                       11.9%

    Return on Average
     Assets                                   1.59%                                   1.41%                                       1.09%

    Return on Average
     Equity                                  11.76%                                  10.46%                                       9.03%

    Allowance for Loan
     Losses-to-Total
     Loans                                    2.87%                                   2.82%                                       2.99%

    Non-Performing
     Assets-to-Total
     Assets                                   0.20%                                   0.20%                                       0.52%

    Efficiency Ratio                          48.1%                                   51.6%                                       52.4%


    * -adjusted for 5%
     stock dividend of
     3/8/13

SOURCE Lighthouse Bank