WASHINGTON, N.C., July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- First South Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSBK) (the "Company"), the parent holding company of First South Bank (the "Bank"), reports its unaudited operating results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2017.

The Company generated net income of $2.1 million for the 2017 second quarter, a 27.5% increase from the $1.6 million of earnings for the 2016 second quarter. Net income for the first six months of 2017 was $3.9 million, a 27.8% increase from the $3.1 million earned for the first six months of 2016.

The Company's diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the 2017 second quarter increased 29.4% to $0.22 per share, from $0.17 per share for the 2016 second quarter. Diluted EPS for the first six months of 2017 increased 28.1% to $0.41 per share, from $0.32 per share for the first six months of 2016. The Company's strong loan growth continues to drive solid core revenue, enhancing its capital position while maintaining excellent credit quality.

Significant Event. The Company and Carolina Financial Corporation ("Carolina Financial") previously announced the execution of an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated June 9, 2017. The agreement provides that the Company will merge with and into Carolina Financial and the Bank will merge with and into Carolina Financial's wholly owned bank subsidiary, CresCom Bank, with Carolina Financial and CresCom Bank as the surviving entities. It is currently anticipated that the legal merger will take place in the fourth quarter of 2017. The merger is subject to both regulatory and shareholder approval.

In connection with the merger transaction, the Company incurred $278,000 of professional fees and services expense that impacted our results of operations for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2017. Excluding the net effects of these expenses, net income for the 2017 second quarter would have totaled $2.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted common share. Net income for the first six months of 2017 would have been $4.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share. The Company anticipates that it will incur additional expenses associated with the merger transaction prior to consummation in the fourth quarter. The following table presents net income and diluted EPS for the respective June 30, 2017 second quarter and six month periods adjusted for the impact of the merger-related transaction expenses:



                                 Quarter Ended        Six Months Ended

                                              6/30/17               6/30/17
                                             --------              --------

                           (In thousands, except per
                                  share data)

    Reported Net Income
     (GAAP)                                    $2,055                 $3,927

    Adjustments for Merger
     Expenses:

    Professional Fees and
     Services                                     278                    278

    Income Tax Benefit
     (Qtr-29.96% /YTD-
     29.68%)                                    (83)                  (82)
                                                  ---                    ---

    Net Income Adjusted
     for Merger Expenses*                      $2,250                 $4,123
                                               ======                 ======


    Reported Diluted EPS
     (GAAP)                                     $0.22                  $0.41

    Impact of Merger
     Expenses on Diluted
     EPS*                                       $0.02                  $0.02

    Diluted EPS Adjusted
     for Merger Expenses*                       $0.24                  $0.43

Bruce Elder, President and CEO, commented, "We are excited about partnering with Carolina Financial and CresCom Bank to create the premier community bank in the Carolinas. We believe First South shareholders and customers will be rewarded as the combination of these two banks is expected to provide superior financial performance along with an exceptional customer experience. We plan to leverage the new resources and products available to us through CresCom Bank to attract new customers and expand our existing relationships."

Mr. Elder further commented, "We continue to remain focused on growing our core earnings and increasing the volume of quality earning assets. Although our financial results were moderately impacted by merger-related expenses in the 2017 second quarter, we were still able to generate net income and EPS growth in the upper 20% range through increases in net interest income and core non-interest income while controlling non-interest expenses."

Highlights:


    --  Strong quarterly earnings performance with net income of $2.1 million;
        diluted EPS of $0.22 per share; return on average assets (ROA) of 0.79%,
        return on average equity (ROE) of 9.01% and return on average tangible
        common equity* (ROTCE) of 9.82%.
    --  Pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings* for the current quarter of
        $3.5 million are 38.2% higher than the $2.5 million reported for the
        2016 second quarter.
    --  Strong loan growth as loans-held-for-investment increased by $49.5
        million and $76.0 million for the 2017 second quarter and six-month
        periods, respectively.
    --  Total deposits have grown $106.1 million or 12.9% over last twelve
        months to $931.5 million.
    --  Strong core deposit growth as demonstrated by an increase in total
        non-interest bearing deposits of 17.7% to $208.7 million on a
        year-over-year basis.
    --  Expanded the net interest margin (NIM) to 3.78% versus 3.76% and 3.74%
        for the second quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017,
        respectively.
    --  Increased non-interest income through enhanced fees from a growing core
        deposit base and robust mortgage banking activity.
    --  Asset quality metrics continue to improve with lower levels of past due
        and non-performing loans.
    --  Continue to maintain a solid capital position.

The Company's strong loan and deposit growth continues to result in increased revenue, allowing for growth in both net interest income (NII) and non-interest income. Our NII grew to $9.1 million in the 2017 second quarter, from $8.1 million in the comparative 2016 second quarter. NII for first six months of 2017 grew to $17.7 million, from the $15.9 million of NII generated in the first six months of 2016.

Total non-interest income was $3.6 million, or 28.2% of total revenue (net interest income plus non-interest income) in the 2017 second quarter, compared to $3.5 million, or 30.5%, in the comparative 2016 second quarter. Total non-interest income for first six months of 2017 was $6.9 million, or 27.9% of total revenue, compared to $7.1 million, or 31.0% for first six months of 2016. Excluding the impact of gains on the sales of investment securities of $184,000 for the 2016 second quarter and $467,000 for the first six months of 2016, the Company increased non-interest income by $194,000 and $199,000, respectively. In 2016, investment securities were sold primarily to fund growth in our loan portfolio.

Non-interest expenses in the 2017 second quarter were $9.2 million, compared to $9.0 million for the 2016 second quarter. Total non-interest expenses for the first six months of 2017 totaled $18.3 million, compared to $18.2 million for first six months of 2016. The moderate increase for the respective 2017 reporting periods is attributable to the $278,000 in merger-related expenses noted above.

Income tax expense was $879,000 for the 2017 second quarter, compared to $665,000 for the 2016 second quarter. The effective income tax rates were 29.96% and 29.20% for these reporting periods, respectively. For the first six months of 2017, income tax expense was $1.7 million versus $1.2 million for the first six months of 2016. The effective income tax rates were 29.68% and 28.72%, respectively for the 2017 and 2016 six-month periods.

Balance Sheet Growth. Loans and leases held for investment (HFI) totaled $776.7 million at June 30, 2017, increasing $76.0 million, or 10.8%, over the $700.6 million held at December 31, 2016. Loans held for sale totaled $6.4 million at June 30, 2017 versus $5.1 million held at December 31, 2016. Investment securities and interest-bearing deposits at other banks totaled to $212.9 million at June 30, 2017, versus $216.4 million at December 31, 2016, as some cash was redeployed to support growth in our loans and leases portfolios.

Deposits totaled $931.5 million at June 30, 2017, increasing $60.9 million, or 7.0%, from $870.6 million at December 31, 2016. Non-maturity deposits (personal and business checking, money market, and savings accounts) grew by $53.1 million, or 8.7%, to $667.2 million at June 30, 2017, from $614.1 million at December 31, 2016. CDs increased to $264.3 million at June 30, 2017, from $256.6 million at December 31, 2016. CDs represented 28.4% and 29.5% of total deposits at June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Stockholders' equity increased by $4.7 million to $91.9 million at June 30, 2017, from $87.2 million at December 31, 2016. This increase primarily reflects the $3.9 million of net income earned for the first six months of 2017 and a $1.4 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the mark-to-market adjustment of the available-for-sale securities portfolio, and is net of $665,000 of dividends declared.

The tangible equity to assets ratio* was 8.12% at June 30, 2017, compared to 8.21% at December 31, 2016. The tangible book value per common share* increased to $9.07 at June 30, 2017, from $8.57 at December 31, 2016.

Asset Quality. Solid asset quality metrics in the 2017 second quarter continue to reflect the Company's disciplined credit culture. Non-performing assets (NPAs) declined to $5.0 million at June 30, 2017, or 0.47% of total assets, from $6.3 million, or 0.63% of total assets, at December 31, 2016. NPAs at June 30, 2017 included $2.4 million of other real estate owned (OREO), which declined by $791,000, or 24.5%, from $3.2 million at December 31, 2016. Nonaccrual loans and leases were $2.5 million at June 30, 2017, or 0.33% of loans and leases HFI, compared to $3.1 million, or 0.44%, at December 31, 2016.

The provision for credit losses in the 2017 second quarter was $485,000, compared to $325,000 for the 2016 second quarter. The provision for credit losses was $750,000 in the first six months of 2017, compared to $550,000 in the first six months of 2016. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.21% of loans and leases HFI at June 30, 2017, compared to 1.24% at December 31, 2016.

Regulatory Capital Strength. As of June 30, 2017, reported regulatory capital ratios at the Bank were 12.57% for total risk-based capital, 11.37% for tier 1 risk-based capital and common equity tier 1 risk-based capital and 8.84% for tier 1 leverage, compared to 13.01% for total risk-based capital, 11.80% for tier 1 risk-based capital and common equity tier 1 risk-based capital and 8.89% for tier 1 leverage at December 31, 2016.

Key Performance Ratios. Some of our key performance ratios are ROA, ROE and the efficiency ratio. ROA was 0.79% for the 2017 second quarter, compared with 0.68% for the 2016 second quarter. ROE was 9.01% for the 2017 second quarter, compared with 7.55% for the 2016 second quarter. The Company's efficiency ratio for the 2017 second quarter improved to 71.65%, from 77.59% for the comparative 2016 second quarter. The efficiency ratio for the first six months of 2017 improved to 73.23%, from 79.14% for first six months of 2016. The efficiency ratio measures the proportion of net operating revenues that are absorbed by overhead expenses.

Corporate and Investor Information. The Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern and central North Carolina since 1902 and offers a variety of financial products and services to business and individual customers. The Bank operates through its main office headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, and has 28 full service branch offices located throughout eastern and central North Carolina. The Bank also provides a full menu of leasing services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, First South Leasing, LLC. In addition, under its First South Wealth Management division, the Bank makes securities brokerage services available through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer.

Additional investor information for the Company and the Bank may be accessed on our website at www.firstsouthnc.com.

The Company's common stock symbol as traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market is "FSBK".

Forward-Looking Statements. Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include failure to obtain all regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of June 9, 2017, by and between Carolina Financial Corporation ("CARO") and the Company (the "CARO Merger"), including approval by the stockholders of CARO and the Company, respectively, on the expected terms and time schedule; delay in closing the CARO Merger; difficulties and delays in integrating CARO's and the Company's businesses or fully realizing cost savings and other benefits; business disruption as a result of the CARO Merger; customer acceptance of CARO products and services; potential difficulties encountered in expanding into a new market following the CARO Merger; the effects of future economic conditions; governmental fiscal and monetary policies; legislative and regulatory changes; the risks of changes in interest rates; the effects of competition; and including without limitation other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures. Important disclosures about and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the corresponding GAAP measures, are provided below and attached to this press release.

This press release and the accompanying Supplemental Financial Data contain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. Management uses these "non-GAAP" measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Reconciliations of non-GAAP disclosures are provided within the accompanying tables to this press release.



    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition


                                                    June 30,                  December 31,                 June 30,

                                                                       2017                        2016                        2016
                                                                       ----                        ----                        ----

    Assets                                         (Unaudited)                                            (Unaudited)

    Cash and due from banks                                       $23,049,153                 $22,854,712                 $24,376,456

    Interest-bearing deposits with
     banks                                                       17,022,773                  23,320,968                  16,357,259

    Investment securities available
     for sale, at fair value                                    195,401,445                 192,606,119                 199,855,361

    Investment securities held to
     maturity                                                       506,553                     509,617                     509,036

    Mortgage loans held for sale                                  6,380,856                   5,098,518                   5,251,714


    Loans and leases held for
     investment                                                 776,656,251                 700,642,291                 668,842,905

       Allowance for loan and lease
        losses                                                  (9,366,564)                (8,673,172)                (8,338,244)
                                                                 ----------                  ----------                  ----------

               Net loans and leases held for
                investment                                      767,289,687                 691,969,119                 660,504,661


    Premises and equipment, net                                  11,152,205                  11,291,596                  11,671,166

    Assets held for sale                                            185,906                     192,720                     192,720

    Other real estate owned                                       2,437,946                   3,229,423                   5,540,672

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at
     cost                                                         1,847,700                   1,573,700                   2,317,500

    Accrued interest receivable                                   3,448,043                   3,525,684                   3,141,824

    Goodwill                                                      4,218,576                   4,218,576                   4,218,576

    Mortgage servicing rights                                     2,134,256                   2,148,905                   1,272,952

    Identifiable intangible assets                                1,490,348                   1,611,187                   1,753,350

    Bank-owned life insurance                                    18,351,387                  18,080,183                  17,795,206

    Prepaid expenses and other assets                             6,462,221                   8,470,887                   6,720,669
                                                                  ---------                   ---------                   ---------


              Total assets                                     $1,061,379,055                $990,701,914                $961,479,122
                                                               ==============                ============                ============


    Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity

    Deposits:

      Non-interest bearing
       demand                                                    $208,671,921                $196,917,165                $177,281,556

      Interest bearing demand                                   308,799,734                 272,098,903                 242,206,763

      Savings                                                   149,720,673                 145,031,981                 142,151,162

      Large denomination certificates of
       deposit                                                  136,978,726                 122,819,510                 118,773,827

      Other time                                                127,363,292                 133,732,804                 145,049,086
                                                                -----------                 -----------                 -----------

              Total deposits                                    931,534,346                 870,600,363                 825,462,394


    Borrowed money                                               22,500,000                  17,000,000                  32,500,000

    Junior subordinated debentures                               10,310,000                  10,310,000                  10,310,000

    Other liabilities                                             5,138,320                   5,607,832                   5,880,159
                                                                  ---------                   ---------                   ---------

              Total liabilities                                 969,482,666                 903,518,195                 874,152,553
                                                                -----------                 -----------                 -----------



    Common stock, $.01 par value,
     25,000,000 shares authorized;

       9,502,520; 9,494,935; and
        9,493,776 shares outstanding,
        respectively                                                 95,025                      94,949                      94,938

    Additional paid-in capital                                   36,072,883                  36,018,743                  35,978,994

    Retained earnings                                            52,822,834                  49,560,595                  46,241,836

    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                                       2,905,647                   1,509,432                   5,010,801
                                                                  ---------                   ---------                   ---------

               Total stockholders' equity                        91,896,389                  87,183,719                  87,326,569
                                                                 ----------                  ----------                  ----------


               Total liabilities and
                stockholders' equity                           $1,061,379,055                $990,701,914                $961,479,122
                                                               ==============                ============                ============



    First South Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

    (Unaudited)

                                                       Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended

                                                            June 30,                June 30,
                                                            --------                --------

                                                                           2017                    2016          2017          2016
                                                                           ----                    ----          ----          ----


    Interest income:

      Interest and fees on loans                                   $8,700,534              $7,642,097   $16,913,822   $14,833,692

      Interest on investments and
       deposits                                                     1,392,349               1,356,030     2,783,029     2,836,282
                                                                    ---------               ---------     ---------     ---------

               Total interest income                              10,092,883               8,998,127    19,696,851    17,669,974
                                                                  ----------               ---------    ----------    ----------


    Interest expense:

      Interest on deposits                                           830,192                 697,426     1,584,181     1,366,702

      Interest on borrowings                                          60,469                  58,711       122,429       131,797

      Interest on junior subordinated notes                          127,011                 141,578       251,261       281,617
                                                                     -------                 -------       -------       -------

               Total interest expense                              1,017,672                 897,715     1,957,871     1,780,116
                                                                   ---------                 -------     ---------     ---------


    Net interest income                                            9,075,211               8,100,412    17,738,980    15,889,858

    Provision for credit losses                                      485,000                 325,000       750,000       550,000
                                                                     -------                 -------       -------       -------

               Net interest income after provision for
                credit losses                                      8,590,211               7,775,412    16,988,980    15,339,858
                                                                   ---------               ---------    ----------    ----------


    Non-interest income:

      Deposit fees and service charges                             1,964,665               1,931,050     3,820,885     3,838,457

      Loan fees and charges                                           92,723                 138,649       178,767       195,634

      Mortgage loan servicing fees                                   316,988                 273,689       638,827       507,689

      Gain on sale and other fees on mortgage
       loans                                                         654,016                 568,403     1,127,578       982,264

      Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate,
       net                                                          (26,151)               (14,315)       55,500      (26,484)

      Gain on sale of investment securities                                -                183,955             -      467,470

      Other  income                                                  555,678                 466,798     1,034,464     1,159,085
                                                                     -------                 -------     ---------     ---------

               Total non-interest income                           3,557,919               3,548,229     6,856,021     7,124,115
                                                                   ---------               ---------     ---------     ---------


    Non-interest expense:

      Compensation and fringe benefits                             5,000,901               4,944,984    10,114,454     9,984,939

      Federal deposit insurance premiums                             157,118                 160,525       304,492       322,134

      Premises and equipment                                       1,334,666               1,380,675     2,733,216     2,754,484

      Marketing                                                         119,050                 229,434       182,790       417,253

      Data processing                                                 807,722                 749,731     1,601,090     1,546,217

      Amortization of intangible assets                              151,269                 133,571       300,466       265,099

      Other real estate owned expense                                105,093                 212,883       269,859       306,557

      Other                                                           1,538,363               1,235,090     2,754,365     2,556,137
                                                                      ---------               ---------     ---------     ---------

               Total non-interest expense                          9,214,182               9,046,893    18,260,732    18,152,820
                                                                   ---------               ---------    ----------    ----------


    Income before income tax expense                               2,933,948               2,276,748     5,584,269     4,311,153

    Income tax expense                                                879,031                 664,734     1,657,155     1,238,345
                                                                      -------                 -------     ---------     ---------


    NET INCOME                                                       $2,054,917              $1,612,014    $3,927,114    $3,072,808
                                                                     ==========              ==========    ==========    ==========



    Per share data:

    Basic earnings per share                                            $0.22                   $0.17         $0.41         $0.32

    Diluted earnings per share                                          $0.22                   $0.17         $0.41         $0.32

    Dividends per share                                                $0.035                  $0.030        $0.070        $0.055

    Average basic shares outstanding                               9,500,958               9,493,776     9,499,289     9,492,489

    Average diluted shares outstanding                             9,554,420               9,519,565     9,548,382     9,517,248



    First South Bancorp, Inc.

    Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                                     Quarter to Date                              Year to Date
                                                                                     ---------------                              ------------

                                                                          6/30/2017                              3/31/2017                   12/31/2016   9/30/2016    6/30/2016     6/30/2017      6/30/2016
                                                                          ---------                              ---------                   ----------   ---------    ---------     ---------      ---------

                                                                  (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Consolidated balance sheet data:
    --------------------------------

    Total assets                                                       $1,061,379                              $1,039,424                      $990,702     $985,795      $961,479     $1,061,379        $961,479


    Loans held for sale:                                                   $6,381                                  $2,507                        $5,099       $7,313        $5,252         $6,381          $5,252


    Loans and leases held for investment
     (HFI):

                                  Mortgage                                  $76,249                                 $73,107                       $74,905      $74,710       $73,100        $76,249         $73,100

                                  Commercial                                593,732                                 558,578                       535,047      518,265       510,678        593,732         510,678

                                  Consumer                                   83,730                                  73,188                        69,454       69,039        66,138         83,730          66,138

                                  Leases                                     22,945                                  22,270                        21,236       20,452        18,927         22,945          18,927


                                  Total loans and leases HFI                776,656                                 727,143                       700,642      682,466       668,843        776,656         668,843

    Allowance for loan and lease losses                                   (9,367)                                (8,941)                      (8,673)     (8,498)      (8,338)       (9,367)        (8,338)
                                                                           ------                                  ------                        ------       ------        ------         ------          ------

    Net loans and leases HFI                                             $767,289                                $718,202                      $691,969     $673,968      $660,505       $767,289        $660,505


    Cash & interest bearing deposits                                      $40,072                                 $70,713                       $46,176      $57,209       $40,734        $40,072         $40,734

    Investment securities                                                 195,908                                 195,048                       193,116      193,765       200,364        195,908         200,364

    Bank-owned life insurance                                              18,351                                  18,219                        18,080       17,937        17,795         18,351          17,795

    Premises and equipment                                                 11,152                                  11,572                        11,292       11,609        11,671         11,152          11,671

    Goodwill                                                                4,219                                   4,219                         4,219        4,219         4,219          4,219           4,219

    Mortgage servicing rights                                               2,134                                   2,140                         2,149        2,091         1,273          2,134           1,273

    Identifiable intangible assets                                          1,490                                   1,551                         1,611        1,682         1,753          1,490           1,753


    Deposits:

    Non-interest checking                                                $208,672                                $204,576                      $196,917     $189,873      $177,281       $208,672        $177,281

    Interest checking                                                     222,267                                 212,386                       189,401      176,034       170,153        222,267         170,153

    Money market                                                           86,533                                  86,598                        82,698       88,081        72,054         86,533          72,054

    Savings                                                               149,721                                 147,718                       145,032      141,701       142,151        149,721         142,151

    Certificates                                                          264,341                                 268,588                       256,552      264,142       263,823        264,341         263,823
                                                                          -------                                 -------                       -------      -------       -------        -------         -------

                                  Total deposits                           $931,534                                $919,866                      $870,600     $859,831      $825,462       $931,534        $825,462


    Borrowings                                                            $22,500                                 $15,000                       $17,000      $20,000       $32,500        $22,500         $32,500

    Junior subordinated debentures                                         10,310                                  10,310                        10,310       10,310        10,310         10,310          10,310

    Stockholders' equity                                                   91,896                                  89,282                        87,184       88,294        87,327         91,896          87,327


    Consolidated earnings summary:
    ------------------------------

    Interest income                                                       $10,093                                  $9,604                        $9,336       $9,210        $8,998        $19,697         $17,670

    Interest expense                                                        1,018                                     940                           920          911           898          1,958           1,780
                                                                            -----                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---          -----           -----

    Net interest income                                                     9,075                                   8,664                         8,416        8,299         8,100         17,739          15,890

    Provision for credit losses                                               485                                     265                           200          220           325            750             550

    Noninterest income                                                      3,558                                   3,298                         3,372        3,691         3,548          6,856           7,124

    Noninterest expense                                                     9,214                                   9,047                         8,819        8,929         9,046         18,261          18,153
                                                                            -----                                   -----                         -----        -----         -----         ------          ------

    Income before taxes                                                     2,934                                   2,650                         2,769        2,841         2,277          5,584           4,311

    Income tax expense                                                        879                                     778                           775          947           665          1,657           1,238
                                                                              ---                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---          -----           -----

    Net income                                                             $2,055                                  $1,872                        $1,994       $1,894        $1,612         $3,927          $3,073
                                                                           ======                                  ======                        ======       ======        ======         ======          ======


    Per Share Data:
    ---------------

    Basic earnings per share                                                $0.22                                   $0.20                         $0.21        $0.20         $0.17          $0.41           $0.32

    Diluted earnings per share                                              $0.22                                   $0.20                         $0.21        $0.20         $0.17          $0.41           $0.32

    Dividends per share                                                    $0.035                                  $0.035                        $0.030       $0.030        $0.030         $0.070          $0.055

    Book value per share                                                    $9.67                                   $9.40                         $9.18        $9.30         $9.20          $9.67           $9.20


    Shares outstanding                                                  9,502,520                               9,500,266                     9,494,935    9,494,935     9,493,776      9,502,520       9,493,776

    Average basic shares                                                9,500,958                               9,497,601                     9,494,935    9,494,861     9,493,776      9,499,289       9,492,489

    Average diluted shares                                              9,554,420                               9,541,548                     9,529,753    9,525,302     9,519,565      9,548,382       9,517,248


    Performance ratios (tax equivalent):
    ------------------------------------

    Yield on average earning assets                                         4.19%                                  4.15%                        4.07%       4.13%        4.17%         4.17%          4.12%

    Cost of interest bearing liabilities                                    0.55%                                  0.52%                        0.52%       0.52%        0.52%         0.54%          0.52%
                                                                             ----                                    ----                          ----         ----          ----           ----            ----

    Net interest spread                                                     3.65%                                  3.62%                        3.55%       3.61%        3.64%         3.63%          3.60%

    Net interest margin                                                     3.78%                                  3.74%                        3.68%       3.73%        3.76%         3.76%          3.71%

    Average earning assets to total average
     assets                                                                93.61%                                 93.32%                       92.92%      92.42%       92.38%        93.47%         92.29%


    Return on average assets (annualized)                                   0.79%                                  0.75%                        0.80%       0.78%        0.68%         0.77%          0.66%

    Return on average equity (annualized)                                   9.01%                                  8.52%                        8.94%       8.52%        7.55%         8.77%          7.26%

    Efficiency ratio                                                       71.65%                                 74.92%                       74.16%      73.84%       77.59%        73.23%         79.14%


    Average assets                                                     $1,041,823                              $1,014,310                      $992,192     $968,729      $947,761     $1,028,027        $943,232

    Average earning assets                                               $975,211                                $946,578                      $921,984     $895,290      $875,529       $960,850        $870,496

    Average equity                                                        $91,452                                 $89,143                       $88,694      $88,481       $85,927        $90,294         $85,096


    Equity/Assets                                                           8.66%                                  8.59%                        8.80%       8.96%        9.08%         8.66%          9.08%


                                                                     Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)


                                                                           Quarter to Date                                  Year to Date
                                                                           ---------------                                  ------------

                                                                          6/30/2017                              3/31/2017                   12/31/2016   9/30/2016    6/30/2016     6/30/2017      6/30/2016
                                                                          ---------                              ---------                   ----------   ---------    ---------     ---------      ---------

                                                                  (dollars in thousands except per share data)

    Asset quality data and ratios:
    ------------------------------

    Nonaccrual loans and leases:

                                   Non-TDR
                                   nonaccrual loans
                                   and leases

                                    Earning                                    $495                                    $576                          $410         $569          $555           $495            $555

                                    Non-Earning                               1,489                                   1,479                         1,257        1,289         1,075          1,489           1,075


                                   Total Non-TDR nonaccrual
                                   loans and leases                          $1,984                                  $2,055                        $1,667       $1,858        $1,630         $1,984          $1,630
                                                                             ------                                  ------                        ------       ------        ------         ------          ------

                                   TDR nonaccrual
                                   loans and leases

                                     Current TDRs                              $549                                    $720                          $422         $792          $706           $549            $706

                                     Past Due TDRs                                0                                       0                           962          248           250              0             250


                                   Total TDR nonaccrual loans and
                                   leases                                      $549                                    $720                        $1,384       $1,040          $956           $549            $956
                                                                               ----                                    ----                        ------       ------          ----           ----            ----

    Total nonaccrual loans and leases                                      $2,533                                  $2,775                        $3,051       $2,898        $2,586         $2,533          $2,586

    Loans and leases >90 days past due, still
     accruing                                                                   0                                       0                             0            0           218              0             218

    Other real estate owned                                                 2,438                                   3,115                         3,229        4,810         5,541          2,438           5,541
                                                                            -----                                   -----                         -----        -----         -----          -----

    Total nonperforming assets                                             $4,971                                  $5,890                        $6,280       $7,708        $8,345         $4,971          $8,345
                                                                           ======                                  ======                        ======       ======        ======         ======          ======


    Allowance for loan and lease losses to

                                   loans and leases
                                   HFI                                        1.21%                                  1.23%                        1.24%       1.25%        1.25%         1.21%          1.25%


    Net charge-offs (recoveries)                                              $59                                    $(3)                          $25          $60          $122            $57             $78

    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to total
     loans and leases                                                       0.01%                                  0.00%                        0.00%       0.01%        0.02%         0.01%          0.01%

    Total nonaccrual loans and leases to
     total loans

                                  and leases HFI                              0.33%                                  0.38%                        0.44%       0.42%        0.39%         0.33%          0.39%

    Total nonperforming assets to total
     assets                                                                 0.47%                                  0.57%                        0.63%       0.78%        0.87%         0.47%          0.87%

    Total loans and leases to total deposits                               84.06%                                 79.32%                       81.06%      80.22%       81.66%        84.06%         81.66%

    Total loans and leases to total assets                                 73.78%                                 70.20%                       71.24%      69.97%       70.11%        73.78%         70.11%

    Loans serviced for others                                            $363,489                                $368,617                      $371,956     $370,606      $292,222       $363,489        $292,222


    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
    ------------------------------------

    Pre-tax pre-provision operating
     earnings (non-GAAP):

    Income before taxes (GAAP)                                             $2,934                                  $2,650                        $2,769       $2,841        $2,277         $5,584          $4,311

    Provision for credit losses                                               485                                     265                           200          220           325            750             550
                                                                              ---                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

    Pre-tax pre-provision net income                                        3,419                                   2,915                         2,969        3,061         2,602          6,334           4,861

    Securities (gains) losses, net                                              0                                       0                             0            0         (184)             0           (467)

    OREO valuations                                                            58                                     119                           140            0           103            177             110

    OREO (gains) losses, (net)                                                 26                                    (82)                         (80)        (77)           14           (56)             26
                                                                              ---                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

    Pre-tax pre-provision operating

      earnings (non-GAAP)                                                  $3,503                                  $2,952                        $3,029       $2,984        $2,535         $6,455          $4,530
                                                                           ======                                  ======                        ======       ======        ======         ======          ======


    Total core non-interest income (non-
     GAAP):

    Non-interest income (GAAP)                                             $3,558                                  $3,298                        $3,372       $3,691        $3,548         $6,856          $7,124

    Securities (gains) losses, net                                              0                                       0                             0            0         (184)             0           (467)

    OREO (gains) losses, (net)                                                 26                                    (82)                         (80)        (77)           14           (56)             26
                                                                              ---                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

    Total core non-interest income (non-GAAP)                              $3,584                                  $3,216                        $3,292       $3,614        $3,378         $6,800          $6,683
                                                                           ======                                  ======                        ======       ======        ======         ======          ======


    Tangible equity (non-GAAP):

    Total equity (GAAP)                                                   $91,896                                 $89,282                       $87,184      $88,294       $87,327        $91,896         $87,327

    Intangible assets (a)                                                   5,709                                   5,770                         5,830        5,901         5,972          5,709           5,972

    Tangible equity (non-GAAP)                                            $86,187                                 $83,512                       $81,354      $82,393       $81,355        $86,187         $81,355
                                                                          =======                                 =======                       =======      =======       =======        =======         =======

    Tangible Equity/Assets (non-GAAP)                                       8.12%                                  8.03%                        8.21%       8.36%        8.46%         8.12%          8.46%

    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)                                $9.07                                   $8.79                         $8.57        $8.68         $8.57          $9.07           $8.57


    Return on average tangible common equity
     (non-GAAP):

    Net income (GAAP)                                                      $2,055                                  $1,872                        $1,994       $1,894        $1,612         $3,927          $3,073

    Amortization of intangibles, net of tax                                    42                                      43                            51           47            50             85             101
                                                                              ---                                     ---                           ---          ---           ---            ---             ---

    Tangible net income available to
     shareholders (non-GAAP)                                               $2,097                                  $1,915                        $2,045       $1,941        $1,662         $4,012          $3,174
                                                                           ======                                  ======                        ======       ======        ======         ======          ======


    Average equity                                                         91,452                                  89,143                        88,694       88,481        85,927         90,294          85,096

    Average intangible assets (a)                                           5,748                                   5,809                         5,876        5,946         6,018          5,778           6,053

    Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)                             $85,704                                 $83,334                       $82,818      $82,535       $79,909        $84,516         $79,043
                                                                          =======                                 =======                       =======      =======       =======        =======         =======

    Return on average tangible common equity
     (non-GAAP)                                                             9.82%                                  9.32%                        9.82%       9.36%        8.37%         9.57%          8.05%


    (a) Excludes mortgage servicing rights



    Average Balances - Yield/Cost Analysis

                                                                       Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                                       ---------------------------

                                                                         2017                                          2016
                                                                         ----                                          ----

                                                        Average                                     Interest                 Average                 Average            Interest               Average
                                                        Balance                                                             Yield/Cost               Balance                                  Yield/Cost
                                                        -------                                                             ----------               -------                                  ----------

    Interest earning
     assets:                                                           (Dollars in thousands)

    Loans receivable                                                 $750,246                                   $8,701                     4.60%              $657,301                $7,642                   4.62%

    Investments and
     deposits                                                         224,965                                    1,392                      2.83 (1)            218,228                 1,356                    2.82 (1)
                                                                      -------                                    -----                      ----                -------                 -----                    ----

      Total earning
       assets                                                         975,211                                   10,093                      4.19 (1)            875,529                 8,998                    4.17 (1)


    Nonearning assets                                                  66,612                                                                                  72,232

      Total assets                                                 $1,041,823                                                                                $947,761
                                                                   ==========                                                                                ========


    Interest bearing liabilities:

    Deposits                                                         $714,938                                      830                      0.47               $653,904                   697                    0.43

    Borrowings                                                         18,044                                       61                      1.34                 21,531                    59                    1.10

    Junior subordinated
     debentures                                                        10,310                                      127                      4.87                 10,310                   142                    5.43
                                                                       ------                                      ---                      ----                 ------                   ---                    ----

      Total interest
       bearing
       liabilities                                                    743,292                                    1,018                      0.55                685,745                   898                    0.52

    Noninterest bearing
     demand deposits                                                  201,511                                        -                        -               170,244                     -                      -
                                                                      -------                                      ---                      ---               -------                   ---                    ---

      Total sources of
       funds                                                          944,803                                    1,018                      0.43                855,989                   898                    0.42


    Other liabilities                                                   5,568                                                                                   5,845

    Stockholders'
     equity                                                            91,452                                                                                  85,927
                                                                       ------                                                                                  ------

      Total liabilities
       and equity                                                  $1,041,823                                                                                $947,761
                                                                   ==========                                                                                ========


    Net interest income                                                                                      $9,075                                                               $8,100
                                                                                                             ======                                                               ======


    Interest rate spread (1)(2)                                                                                                        3.65%                                                             3.64%
                                                                                                                                        ====                                                               ====

    Net interest margin (1)(3)                                                                                                         3.78%                                                             3.76%
                                                                                                                                        ====                                                               ====

    Ratio of earning assets to interest bearing liabilities                                                                         131.20%                                                           127.68%
                                                                                                                                     ======                                                             ======



                                                                      Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                                      -------------------------

                                                                         2017                                          2016
                                                                         ----                                          ----

                                                        Average                                     Interest                 Average                 Average            Interest               Average
                                                        Balance                                                             Yield/Cost               Balance                                  Yield/Cost
                                                        -------                                                             ----------               -------                                  ----------

    Interest earning
     assets:                                                           (Dollars in thousands)

    Loans receivable                                                 $729,510                                  $16,914                     4.62%              $639,323               $14,834                   4.60%

    Investments and
     deposits                                                         231,340                                    2,783                      2.75 (1)            231,173                 2,836                    2.77 (1)
                                                                      -------                                    -----                      ----                -------                 -----                    ----

      Total earning
       assets                                                         960,850                                   19,697                      4.17 (1)            870,496                17,670                    4.12 (1)


    Nonearning assets                                                  67,177                                                                                  72,736

      Total assets                                                 $1,028,027                                                                                $943,232
                                                                   ==========                                                                                ========


    Interest bearing liabilities:

    Deposits                                                         $703,463                                    1,584                      0.45               $647,682                 1,367                    0.42

    Borrowings                                                         20,105                                      123                      1.22                 27,422                   132                    0.97

    Junior subordinated
     debentures                                                        10,310                                      251                      4.85                 10,310                   281                    5.40
                                                                       ------                                      ---                      ----                 ------                   ---                    ----

      Total interest
       bearing
       liabilities                                                    733,878                                    1,958                      0.54                685,414                 1,780                    0.52

    Noninterest bearing
     demand deposits                                                  198,308                                        -                        -               166,756                     -                      -
                                                                      -------                                      ---                      ---               -------                   ---                    ---

      Total sources of
       funds                                                          932,186                                    1,958                      0.42                852,170                 1,780                    0.42


    Other liabilities                                                   5,547                                                                                   5,966

    Stockholders'
     equity                                                            90,294                                                                                  85,096
                                                                       ------                                                                                  ------

      Total liabilities
       and equity                                                  $1,028,027                                                                                $943,232
                                                                   ==========                                                                                ========


    Net interest income                                                                                     $17,739                                                              $15,890
                                                                                                            =======                                                              =======


    Interest rate spread (1)(2)                                                                                                        3.63%                                                             3.60%
                                                                                                                                        ====                                                               ====

    Net interest margin (1)(3)                                                                                                         3.76%                                                             3.71%
                                                                                                                                        ====                                                               ====

    Ratio of earning assets to interest  bearing
     liabilities                                                                                                                     130.93%                                                           127.00%
                                                                                                                                      ======                                                             ======

    (1)     Shown as a tax-adjusted yield.

    (2)     Represents the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average cost of funds.

    (3)     Represents net interest income divided by average earning assets.

For more information contact:
First South Bancorp, Inc.
Bruce Elder (CEO) (252) 940-4936
Scott McLean (CFO) (252) 940-5016
Website: www.firstsouthnc.com

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SOURCE First South Bancorp, Inc.