HOUSTON, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® (NYSE: PB), the parent company of Prosperity Bank®, reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 of $36.406 million or $0.77 per diluted common share, an increase in net income of $3.608 million or 11.0%, compared with $32.798 million or $0.70 per diluted common share for the same period in 2010.  Prosperity also reported net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 of $141.749 million or $3.01 per diluted common share, up 11.0% from 2010 net income of $127.708 million and up 10.3% from 2010 diluted earnings per common share of $2.73.

"We are proud of our performance in 2011.  We finished the year with record net income of $141.749 million, an 11.0% increase over 2010.  For the full year, our loans increased 8.1% or $280.883 million while our deposits also increased 8.1% or $605.334 million," said David Zalman, Prosperity's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our entire team is honored to have been recognized by Forbes as the 'Best Bank in America' in their 2012 rankings.  This recognition is the result of all of our associates hard work and dedication and reflects our industry leading asset quality, our strong earnings, and our continued focus on building shareholder value," concluded Zalman.

Prosperity's management uses certain non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures to evaluate its performance. Specifically, Prosperity reviews tangible book value per share, return on average tangible common equity and the tangible equity to tangible assets ratio.  Prosperity has included in this Earnings Release information relating to these non-GAAP financial measures for the applicable periods presented.  Please refer to the "Notes to Selected Financial Data" at the end of this Earnings Release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures.

Results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2011

For the three months ended December 31, 2011, net income was $36.406 million compared with $32.798 million for the same period in 2010.  Net income per diluted common share was $0.77 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $0.70 for the same period in 2010. Returns on average assets, average common equity and average tangible common equity for the three months ended December 31, 2011 were 1.50%, 9.35% and 23.86%, respectively.  Prosperity's efficiency ratio (excluding net gains and losses on the sale of assets) was 40.77% for the three months ended December 31, 2011.

Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 increased 0.7% to $80.087 million compared with $79.509 million during the same period in 2010 and decreased 3.0% or $2.451 million compared with $82.538 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased to 3.82% for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared with 3.99% for the same period in 2010 and decreased 20 basis points from 4.02% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The 20 basis point linked quarter decrease was impacted by increased amortization expense from the securities portfolio.   Amortization expense for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased $2.086 million on a linked quarter basis to $9.670 million.  At December 31, 2011, the Company had $68.194 million in premium remaining on its securities portfolio.

Non-interest income increased $160 thousand or 1.2% to $14.065 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $13.905 million for the same period in 2010.  The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in debit card and ATM card income, partially offset by a decrease NSF fees.

Non-interest expense decreased $2.842 million or 6.9% to $38.385 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $41.227 million during the same period in 2010.  The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in ORE expenses and reduced FDIC assessments.

Loans at December 31, 2011 were $3.766 billion, an increase of $280.883 million or 8.1%, compared with $3.485 billion at December 31, 2010.  Loans increased 0.8% (3.0% annualized) or $28.276 million on a linked quarter basis compared with loans of $3.737 billion at September 30, 2011. 

Deposits at December 31, 2011 were $8.060 billion, an increase of $605.334 million or 8.1% compared with $7.455 billion at December 31, 2010.  Linked quarter deposits increased $261.515 million or 3.4% (13.4% annualized) from $7.799 billion at September 30, 2011. 

Average loans increased 9.6% or $328.225 million to $3.750 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 compared with $3.422 billion for the same period of 2010.  Linked quarter average loans increased 1.5% or $55.884 million from $3.694 billion at September 30, 2011. Average deposits increased 6.0% to $7.899 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 compared with $7.453 billion for the same period of 2010.  Linked quarter average deposits increased 3.2% or $246.534 million from $7.653 billion at September 30, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, construction loans totaled $482.140 million, consisting of approximately $136 million of single family residential construction loans; $43 million of land development loans; $61 million of raw land loans; $87 million of residential lot loans; $50 million of commercial lot loans; and $105 million of commercial construction and other construction loans.  This is a decrease of $8.053 million from construction loans at September 30, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, Prosperity had $9.823 billion in total assets, $3.766 billion in loans and $8.060 billion in deposits. Assets, loans and deposits at December 31, 2011 increased by 3.7%, 8.1% and 8.1%, respectively, compared with their level at December 31, 2010.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets totaled $12.052 million or 0.14% of quarterly average earning assets at December 31, 2011 compared with $15.842 million or 0.20% of quarterly average earning assets at December 31, 2010 and $13.363 million or 0.16% of quarterly average earnings assets at September 30, 2011.  The allowance for credit losses was 1.37% of total loans at December 31, 2011, 1.40% at September 30, 2011 and 1.48% of total loans at December 31, 2010.

The provision for credit losses was $1.150 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and $2.900 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  Net charge offs were $2.069 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 and $2.670 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.

The provision for credit losses was $5.200 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011; a decrease of $8.385 million compared with $13.585 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.  Net charge offs were $5.190 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and $13.864 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

Results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, net income was $141.749 million compared with $127.708 million for the same period in 2010.  Net income per diluted common share was $3.01 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $2.73 for the same period in 2010.

Returns on average assets, average common equity and average tangible common equity for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 were 1.47%, 9.36% and 25.11%, respectively.  Prosperity's efficiency ratio (excluding net gains and losses on the sale of assets) was 42.76% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011.

Net interest income before provision for credit losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 increased $8.520 million or 2.7%, to $326.668 million compared with $318.148 million during the same period in 2010. The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased to 3.98% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared with 4.04% for the same period in 2010.

Non-interest income increased $2.210 million or 4.1% to $56.043 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $53.833 million for the same period in 2010.  The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in debit card and ATM card income and a decrease in loss on sale of ORE, partially offset by a decrease NSF fees.

Non-interest expense decreased $2.849 million or 1.7% to $163.745 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 compared with $166.594 million for the same period in 2010.  The decrease was due primarily to decreases in FDIC assessments, CDI amortization, ORE expenses and other non-interest expenses partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits expense.

Conference Call

Prosperity's management team will host a conference call on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (9:30 a.m. Central Standard Time) to discuss Prosperity's fourth quarter and full year 2011 earnings. Individuals and investment professionals may participate in the call by dialing 800-862-9098, the reference code is PBTX.

Alternatively, individuals may listen to the live webcast of the presentation by visiting Prosperity's website at www.prosperitybanktx.com.  The webcast may be accessed directly from Prosperity's Investor Relations page by clicking on the "4th Quarter Results and Webcast" link.

Prosperity Transfers Listing to NYSE Under Symbol "PB"

Prosperity transferred the listing of its common stock from the NASDAQ Global Select Market to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Company began trading, under the new ticker symbol "PB" on the NYSE on December 28, 2011. 

Acquisition of The Bank Arlington

On January 19, 2012, Prosperity announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire The Bank Arlington.  The Bank Arlington operates one (1) banking office in Arlington, Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth CMSA. As of December 31, 2011, The Bank Arlington reported total assets of $37.3 million, total loans of $21.3 million and total deposits of $32.8 million.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Prosperity will issue up to 138,600 shares of Prosperity common stock for all outstanding shares of The Bank Arlington capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments.

Acquisition of East Texas Financial Services, Inc.

On December 9, 2011, Prosperity announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire East Texas Financial Services, Inc. (OTC BB: FFBT) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Federal Bank Texas ("Firstbank").

East Texas Financial Services operates four (4) banking offices in the Tyler MSA, including three (3) locations in Tyler, Texas and one (1) location in Gilmer, Texas. As of December 31, 2011, First Federal Bank reported total assets of $199.0 million, total loans of $163.1 million and total deposits of $126.7 million.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Prosperity will issue up to 531,000 shares of Prosperity common stock for all outstanding shares of East Texas Financial Services capital stock, subject to certain conditions and potential adjustments.

Acquisition of Texas Bankers, Inc.

On January 1, 2012, Prosperity completed the previously announced acquisition of Texas Bankers, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Texas, Austin, Texas. The transaction continues Prosperity's strategic growth and expansion of the franchise in Central Texas.

The three (3) Bank of Texas banking offices in the Austin, Texas CMSA consist of a location in Rollingwood, which upon operational integration will be consolidated with Prosperity's Westlake location and remain in Bank of Texas' Rollingwood banking office; one banking center in downtown Austin, which upon operational integration will be consolidated into Prosperity's downtown Austin location; and another banking center in Thorndale. Prosperity now operates thirty-four (34) banking centers in the Central Texas area including Austin and San Antonio.

Texas Bankers, Inc. reported total assets of $77.0 million, total loans of $27.6 million and total deposits of $70.4 million on December 31, 2011.

Under the terms of the agreement, Prosperity issued 314,953 shares of Prosperity common stock for all outstanding shares of Texas Bankers capital stock which resulted in a premium of $5.2 million.

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.®

Prosperity Bancshares Inc.®, recently named "America's Best Bank" by Forbes is a $9.8 billion Houston, Texas based regional financial holding company, formed in 1983. Operating under a community banking philosophy and seeking to develop broad customer relationships based on service and convenience, Prosperity offers a variety of traditional loan and deposit products to its customers, which consist primarily of small and medium sized businesses and consumers. In addition to established banking products, Prosperity offers a complete line of services including: Internet Banking services at http://www.prosperitybanktx.com, Retail Brokerage Services, MasterMoney Debit Cards, and 24 hour voice response banking. Prosperity currently operates one hundred seventy five (175) full service banking locations; fifty-nine (59) in the Houston area; twenty (20) in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; thirty-one (31) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area; twenty-one (21) in the East Texas area; thirty-four (34) in the Central Texas area including Austin and San Antonio; and ten (10) in the Bryan/College Station area.

In connection with the proposed merger of East Texas Financial Services, Inc. into Prosperity, Prosperity has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Prosperity's common stock to be issued to the stockholders of East Texas Financial Services. The registration statement includes a proxy statement/prospectus which will be sent to the stockholders of East Texas Financial Services seeking their approval of the proposed transaction.

WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPERITY, EAST TEXAS FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

In connection with the proposed merger of The Bank Arlington into Prosperity Bank, Prosperity will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Prosperity's common stock to be issued to the shareholders The Bank Arlington. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus which will be sent to the shareholders of The Bank Arlington seeking their approval of the proposed transaction.

WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROSPERITY, THE BANK ARLINGTON AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.  Documents filed with the SEC by Prosperity will be available free of charge by directing a request by telephone or mail to Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., Prosperity Bank Plaza, 4295 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77027 Attn: Investor Relations. Prosperity's telephone number is (281) 269-7199.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains, and the remarks by Prosperity's management on the conference call may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws that are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Prosperity, and its subsidiaries.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Prosperity's control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to whether Prosperity can: successfully identify acquisition targets and integrate the businesses of acquired companies and banks;  continue to sustain its current internal growth rate or total growth rate; provide products and services that appeal to its customers; continue to have access to debt and equity capital markets; and achieve its sales objectives.  Other risks include, but are not limited to: the possibility that credit quality could deteriorate; actions of competitors; changes in laws and regulations (including changes in governmental interpretations of regulations and changes in accounting standards); a deterioration or downgrade in the credit quality and credit agency ratings of the securities in Prosperity's securities portfolio; customer and consumer demand, including customer and consumer response to marketing; effectiveness of spending, investments or programs; fluctuations in the cost and availability of supply chain resources; economic conditions, including currency rate fluctuations and interest rate fluctuations; weather; and the stock price volatility associated with "small-cap" companies.  These and various other factors are discussed in Prosperity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and other reports and statements Prosperity has filed with the SEC. Copies of the SEC filings for Prosperity Bancshares'® may be downloaded from the Internet at no charge from www.prosperitybanktx.com.