Ames National Corporation Announces Earnings for the Fourth Quarter of 2022

AMES, Iowa, Jan. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ames National Corporation (Nasdaq: ATLO; the “Company”) today reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 of $4.4 million, or $0.49 per share, compared to $5.3 million, or $0.58 per share, earned in the fourth quarter of 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income for the Company totaled $19.3 million or $2.14 per share, compared to $23.9 million or $2.62 per share earned in 2021. The decrease in earnings for the three months and year ended is primarily the result of higher interest expense on deposits and fewer Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fees recognized into income, offset in part by an increase in interest income on loans and taxable securities. The higher interest expense on deposits is due to an increase in market rates. In 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee has increased its target for the federal funds interest rate by 4.25%. The increase in interest income on loans and taxable securities was primarily due to growth in the loan and investment portfolios.