National Bankshares, Inc. Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2015 Earnings

BLACKSBURG, VA, JULY 23, 2015:  National Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ Capital Market: NKSH) today announced its results of operations for the second quarter and first half of 2015. The Company reported net income of almost $8.08 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $8.51 million at June 30, 2014. Basic earnings per share were $1.16 at June 30, 2015 compared to $1.23 for the same period in 2014. For the first half of the year, the return on average assets was 1.41% and the return on average equity was 9.55% compared to 1.54% and 11.22%, respectively, for the first six months of 2014. At June 30, 2015, the Company had total assets of almost $1.15 billion which was an increase of 1.75% when compared to $1.13 billion at the end of June 2014.
                                                                                                           
Commenting on the Company’s financial results, National Bankshares Chairman, President & CEO James G. Rakes said, “Loan growth of over $33.54 million, or 5.65%, from June 30, 2014 is a positive indicator of a stronger demand for credit. We continue to focus on meeting the financial needs of our customers and our employees are dedicated to striving to meet those needs.”
 
National Bankshares, Inc., headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, is the parent company of The National Bank of Blacksburg, which does business as National Bank, and of National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc.  National Bank is a community bank operating from 26 offices throughout Southwest Virginia. National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. is an investment and insurance subsidiary in the same trade area.  The Company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “NKSH.” Additional information is available at www.nationalbankshares.com.
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be “forward-looking statements.”  Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about future events or results that are not statements of historical fact and that involve significant risks and uncertainties.  Although the Company believes that its expectations with regard to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual Company results will not differ materially from any future results implied by the forward-looking statements.  Actual results may be materially different from past or anticipated results because of many factors, some of which may include changes in economic conditions, the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory requirements, new products, competition, changes in the stock and bond markets and technology.  The Company does not update any forward-looking statements that it may make.