First of Long Island reports Q4 EPS 14c vs. 27c last year

Reports Q4 Net income decreased $1.4M compared to the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $856,000, additional branch consolidation expenses of $840,000 and a decrease in net interest income of $573,000, partially offset by a provision reversal for credit losses of $381,000 in the fourth quarter as compared to a provision of $170,000 in the third quarter and a decrease in merger expenses of $571,000. The decline in net interest income was primarily due to a net interest margin decrease of 6 basis points when compared to the linked quarter, which was largely due to lower income on the fair value derivative.President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Becker commented on the Company’s results: “Our team is focused on best positioning our company for the future and its pending merger with ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. In that regard, our net interest margin bottomed out during the first quarter of 2024 and began its recovery during the remainder of the year. Excluding loss on securities in 2023, noninterest income increased nearly 23% largely related to new and recurring fee income categories. Noninterest expense was well controlled with an increase of 1.6% when compared to the prior year after backing out $3.1 million of merger and branch consolidation expenses in 2024. Finally, asset quality remains strong. We look forward to the changes to come in 2025, which will offer new and exciting opportunities to our stockholders, customers, employees and communities.”