First Northern Community Bancorp – Third Quarter Earnings Report

Quarterly and Year-to-Date Net Income Up

DIXON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Northern Community Bancorp (the “Company,” ticker symbol FNRN), holding company for First Northern Bank (“First Northern” or the “Bank”), today announced earnings through the third quarter of 2012. Louise Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The Company reported year-to-date net income as of September 30, 2012 of $3.5 million, up 40% compared to net income of $2.5 million reported for the same fiscal period last year.” Net income available to common shareholders totaled $2.6 million as of September 30, 2012 up 85.7% compared to net income available to common shareholders at September 30, 2011 totaling $1.4 million. Diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $0.29, up 93.3% compared to diluted income per share of $0.15 reported for the same fiscal period a year ago.

“The Company reported year-to-date net income as of September 30, 2012 of $3.5 million, up 40% compared to net income of $2.5 million reported for the same fiscal period last year.”

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $1.2 million compared to $0.9 million for the same fiscal period last year. Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 totaled $0.9 million or $0.10 per diluted common share, compared to $0.3 million or $0.04 per diluted common share for the same fiscal period last year.

Total assets at September 30, 2012 were $805.6 million, an increase of $38.9 million, or 5.1% compared to the same period in 2011. Total deposits of $705.9 million increased $43.1 million or 6.5% compared to September 30, 2011 figures. During that same period, total net loans (including loans held-for-sale) increased $19.3 million, or 4.5%, to $450.7 million. Total risk-based capital was 17.65%, far exceeding the ‘well-capitalized’ threshold of 10%.

Commenting on the third quarter of 2012, Walker stated, “The environment we’re operating in continues to be a challenging one. Yet, in spite of the low interest rate environment, sluggish small business loan demand, and the need for increased resources focused on ever-changing government regulations, First Northern Community Bancorp’s performance has continued to make steady and consistent progress. Assets and deposits are at record levels, and loan totals are up. Efforts to reduce operating expenses and improve credit quality also continue to yield positive results; provisions for potential loan losses were down 44% over the same period last year. We are pleased to report continued capital strength, and we want those in our communities to know that we have money to lend. Our entire First Northern team is working hard to attract new quality loans, as we understand that it is the health and growth of our small businesses that will help to drive healthy and prosperous communities.”

First Northern Bank, an independent community bank headquartered in Solano County since 1910, serves Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and the west slope of El Dorado County. First Northern has 10 branches located in Dixon, Davis, West Sacramento, Fairfield, Vacaville, Winters, Woodland, Downtown Sacramento, Roseville, and Auburn, and has a full service Trust Department in Sacramento. First Northern Bank also offers 24/7 real estate mortgage loans, SBA loans, and non-FDIC insured Investment & Brokerage Services at each branch location. Real Estate Mortgage Loan offices are located in Davis and Roseville, and real estate loan representatives are available to meet customers at any of the Bank’s branches by appointment. The Bank specializes in relationship banking and employs experts in the area of small business, commercial, agribusiness, and real estate lending, as well as wealth management, and is rated as a “Superior” 5-Star Bank by BauerFinancial Inc. (www.bauerfinancial.com). The Bank can be found on the Web at www.thatsmybank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include certain “forward-looking statements” about First Northern Community Bancorp (the “Company”). These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about these risk factors is contained in the Company’s most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they are made. For further information regarding the Company, please read the Company’s reports filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.