January 30, 2026 - LifeStore Financial Group, Inc. reported net income of $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1.5 million for the same quarter in 2024. For the six months ended December 31, 2025, net income totaled $3.8 million, up from $2.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
Basic earnings per share for the six-month ended December 31, 2025 were $3.65, compared to $2.48 for the prior year. Total assets grew 7.2% to $505.1 million at December 31, 2025.
“We are very pleased with the Company’s continued growth and strong financial performance,” said Bob Washburn, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our return on assets of 1.5% and our return on equity of 13.1% reflect disciplined balance sheet management, solid credit quality, and improving net interest margin. Our capital ratios remain well above regulatory requirements, reflecting the strength of our balance sheet.”
“We continue to expand the market presence and product offerings of LifeStore Insurance”, Washburn added. “During the six months ended December 31, 2025, we completed the acquisition of Healthcare Solutions by the Fesperman Agency in Asheville, North Carolina. This agency specializes in serving seniors with health insurance solutions and we are excited to expand our footprint into Asheville and continue assisting the senior market with insurance options. We were recognized this month by the readers of the Ashe Post & Times as a recipient of the Best Bank and Best Mortgage Company.
“Our focus remains on delivering meaningful solutions across our business lines to help customers navigate today’s financial landscape with confidence. For more than 87 years, LifeStore has earned the trust of our customers, and we remain dedicated to supporting the communities that have supported us.”
LifeStore Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in West Jefferson, provides banking, investment, and insurance services. It is a state-chartered bank holding company that owns 100% of the common stock of LifeStore Bank (Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) and operates branches in Boone, Jefferson, and West Jefferson. LifeStore Insurance is an independent insurance agency serving these markets including Elkin, Lenoir, Newland, and Sparta.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation: the effects of future economic conditions; governmental fiscal and monetary policies; legislative and regulatory changes; the risks of changes in interest rates; management of growth; fluctuations in our financial results; reliance on key personnel; our ability to compete effectively; privacy, security and other risks associated with our business.
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LifeStore Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollars in thousands)
| |
As of |
|
|
| Year Ended |
December 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
|
|
| Selected Financial Condition Data: |
|
|
|
|
| Total assets |
$ 505,124 |
$ 471,374 |
|
|
| Loans receivable, net1 |
302,419 |
283,287 |
|
|
| Investment securities2 |
109,009 |
106,831 |
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
58,316 |
49,669 |
|
|
| Deposits |
432,477 |
407,360 |
|
|
| Borrowings |
5,155 |
5,155 |
|
|
| Equity |
59,783 |
53,731 |
|
|
| Book value per share |
$ 58.01 |
$ 52.14 |
|
|
| Return on assets |
1.53% |
1.12% |
|
|
| Return on equity |
13.05% |
9.60% |
|
|
| Efficiency ratio3 |
67.02% |
72.20% |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
| |
December 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
| Selected Operating Data: |
|
|
|
|
| Interest income and dividends |
$ 6,390 |
$ 5,978 |
$ 12,843 |
$ 11,631 |
| Interest expense |
2,294 |
2,521 |
4,529 |
5,097 |
| Net interest income |
4,096 |
3,457 |
8,314 |
6,534 |
| Provision for credit losses |
115 |
(88) |
(145) |
156 |
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses |
3,981 |
3,545 |
8,459 |
6,378 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Insurance commissions |
1,780 |
1,993 |
3,626 |
3,693 |
| Other non-interest income |
753 |
683 |
1,445 |
1,.396 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Non-interest expense |
4,539 |
4,327 |
8,970 |
8,396 |
| Income before income tax expense |
1,975 |
1,894 |
4,560 |
3,071 |
| Income tax expense |
351 |
349 |
802 |
512 |
| Net income |
$ 1,624 |
$ 1,545 |
$ 3,758 |
$ 2,559 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Basic earnings per share of common stock |
$ 1.58 |
$ 1.50 |
$ 3.65 |
$ 2.48 |
1 Loans receivable, net is comprised of total loans less allowance for credit losses, loans sold, undisbursed loan funds and deferred loan fees.
2 Includes equity securities and securities available for sale.
3 The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.