National Bankshares, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2017 Earnings


BLACKSBURG, VA, APRIL 27, 2017:  National Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ Capital Market: NKSH) today announced its results of operations for the first quarter of 2017. The Company reported net income of $3.65 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to $3.78 million at March 31, 2016. Basic earnings per share were $0.52 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $0.54 for the same period in 2016. For the first quarter, the return on average assets was 1.21% and the return on average equity was 8.20% compared to 1.28% and 8.64%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2016. At March 31, 2017, the Company had total assets of $1.24 billion, an increase of 2.60% when compared to $1.21 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2016.
 
“The first quarter of 2017 saw improvements in several key areas, despite the low interest rate environment that continues to pressure earnings,” said National Bankshares Chairman, President & CEO James G. Rakes. “While net income was down compared to the same period in 2016, we were pleased to see steady growth in net loans, improved asset quality, and increased noninterest income. Moving forward in 2017 we remain focused on providing the highest level of personalized financial service for our customers while we pursue opportunities to grow the bank and increase profitability.”
 
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 full service offices and one loan production office 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.