NORTH CONWAY, N.H., April 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northway Financial, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQB:NWYF), the parent company of Northway Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 of $1.5 million, or $0.55 per basic common share, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.50 per basic common share for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. President and CEO William J. Woodward commented: "In the first quarter, net income was consistent compared to last year. The high-rate environment continues to put downward pressure on our net interest margin. We are focusing on offsetting the margin compression by continuing to reduce operating costs without impacting customer service. Our non-municipal deposits are tracking well with our December 2023 levels. We are in the process of introducing new deposit products to further increase deposits. There is uncertainty regarding when the Federal Reserve will lower rates. We know that the inflationary environment impacts almost everyone." Financial Highlights Total Assets were $1.2 billion, loans, net, were $909 million, and total deposits were $978 million at March 31, 2024. Total Assets decreased $126 million compared to March 31, 2023, driven by decreases in Cash and Due from Banks and Interest-Bearing Deposits of $39 million, Securities Available-for-Sale of $52 million, and Loans, net of $30 million. The decrease in Cash and Due from Banks and Interest-Bearing Deposits was due to the paydown of borrowings while the decrease in securities was primarily due to the $30 million in securities sales in December 2023. Residential mortgage loan balances decreased $13 million and commercial real estate loan balances decreased $18 million, compared to March 31, 2023. Non-Municipal Liabilities decreased $54 million or 6% compared to March 31, 2023, the result of a decrease in Retail Deposits of $31 million, or 5%, and a decrease in Commercial Liabilities of $12 million, or 9%. Compared to December 31, 2023, Non-Municipal Liabilities increased $12 million. Short Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt decreased $85 million compared to March 31, 2023. Net Income for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, was $1.5 million or $0.55 per basic common share. Net Interest Income was $826 thousand lower than the same period last year and was partially offset by lower operating expenses of $388 thousand. The Year-to-Date Net Interest Margin decreased from 2.87% to 2.70% as funding costs increased 1.17% while the yield on earning assets increased 0.66%, when compared to year-to-date March 31, 2023. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans stood at 0.36% compared to 0.24% at March 31, 2023. Total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans were 0.31% compared to 0.28% at March 31, 2023. The Bank's regulatory capital ratios at March 31, 2024 exceeded all well-capitalized ratios as defined under FDIC's prompt corrective action rules. The market price of our common stock, as of April 25, 2024, was $18.25. Northway Financial, Inc. Selected Financial Highlights (Unaudited)             (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended       3/31/2024   3/31/2023                       Interest and Dividend Income $ 12,588   $ 11,948       Interest Expense   4,351     2,885       Net Interest and Dividend Income   8,237     9,063       Provision for Credit Losses   -     -       All Other Noninterest Income   1,257     1,246       Noninterest Expense   8,086     8,474       Net Income Before Gain (Loss) on Securities