LNBB (MM)

• On December 15, 2014, the Corporation entered into an agreement with Northwest Bancshares to be acquired and the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2015. Merger related expenses of $130,000 were incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
• First quarter net income available to common shareholders of $1.85 million, an increase of 17.6% as compared to the same quarter one year ago.
• Non-performing assets declined by $4.1 million, a decrease of 19% from the first quarter a year ago. No loan loss provision taken for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
• Entered the Stow, Ohio market, with our 21st banking location.

LNB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNBB) (“LNB” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the first quarter 2015. Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter 2015 was $1,847,000, or $0.19 per common share, compared to $1,571,000, or $0.16 per common share, for the year-ago quarter.

Net interest income was $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to $9.0 million in the first quarter of the prior year, a decrease of 1.6%. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for the first quarter of 2015 was 3.13%, a decline of 8 basis points from the first quarter of 2014. The decline can be attributed to the acceleration of the amortization of premium on investment securities along with accelerated dealer reserve on the indirect consumer portfolio.

Noninterest income was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $2.9 million in the first quarter of the previous year. “The gain on sale of loans was $660,000 this quarter. Our gain on sale of mortgage loans increased as we saw an increased level of loan volume in the quarter as compared to the first quarter of 2014,” stated Daniel E. Klimas, president and chief executive officer of LNB Bancorp. In addition, the bank had net gains on the sale of securities of $192,000 this quarter.

Trust and Investment Management fee income was $422,000 in the first quarter, an increase of 5.5% compared to the first quarter in 2014. “During the first quarter we saw a nice increase in new relationships and we look to continue growing this business in 2015,” stated Daniel E. Klimas.

The Company continued to make progress on improving credit quality in the first quarter of 2015, as non-performing assets declined $4.1 million from the same quarter in 2014. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets at March 31, 2015 was 1.41%, down from 1.74% at March 31, 2014.

No provision for loan losses was taken in the first quarter of 2015, as compared to a provision of $900,000 taken in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting the Company’s improvement in credit quality and net loss history. Net charge-offs were $619,000 for the first quarter of 2015, or 0.27% of average loans (annualized), compared to $908,000, or 0.41% of average loans (annualized), in the first quarter of 2014.

Loan balances grew by $14.9 million or 1.7% compared to the first quarter of 2014, led by the commercial and indirect auto loan portfolios.

Noninterest expense was $9.2 million, compared to $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. In the first quarter of 2015, in connection with the pending merger with Northwest Bancshares, the Corporation recognized $130,000 in merger-related expense. The Company also recognized expense of $270,000 related to a nonrecurring loss in branch operations.

Total assets at March 31, 2015 were $1.26 billion, little change from March 31, 2014. Total deposits at March 31, 2015 were $1.07 billion, down $7.8 million, or 0.7%, from March 31, 2014. Effective January 1, 2015, the Corporation became subject to the Basel III capital framework and standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets. At March 31, 2015, Basel III capital ratios remain well in excess of applicable regulatory requirements, with estimated total risk-based capital ratio of 12.11%, and a common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 9.29%.

About LNB Bancorp, Inc.

LNB Bancorp, Inc. is a $1.27 billion bank holding company. Its major subsidiary, The Lorain National Bank, is a full-service commercial bank, specializing in commercial, personal banking services, residential mortgage lending and investment and trust services. The Lorain National Bank and its Morgan Bank division serve customers through 21 retail-banking locations and 30 ATMs in Lorain, Erie, Cuyahoga and Summit counties. North Coast Community Development Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Lorain National Bank. For more information about LNB Bancorp, Inc., and its related products and services or to view its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, visit us at http://www.4lnb.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as "will," "should," "plan," "intend," "expect," "continue," "believe," "anticipate" and "seek," as well as similar comments, are forward-looking in nature. Actual results and events may differ materially from those expressed or anticipated as a result of risks and uncertainties which include but are not limited to: a worsening of economic conditions or slowing of any economic recovery, which could negatively impact, among other things, business activity and consumer spending and could lead to a lack of liquidity in the credit markets; changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins; increases in interest rates or further weakening of economic conditions that could constrain borrowers’ ability to repay outstanding loans or diminish the value of the collateral securing those loans; market conditions or other events that could negatively affect the level or cost of funding, affecting the Company’s ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, and fund asset growth, and new business transactions at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences; changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including new or heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements, practices or expectations, which may impede profitability or affect the Company’s financial condition (such as, for example, the Dodd-Frank Act and rules and regulations that have been or may be promulgated under the Act); persisting volatility and limited credit availability in the financial markets, particularly if market conditions limit the Company’s ability to raise funding to the extent required by banking regulators or otherwise; significant increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries, particularly in the geographic or business areas in which the Company conducts its operations; limitations on the Company’s ability to return capital to shareholders, including the ability to pay dividends; adverse effects on the Company’s ability to engage in routine funding transactions as a result of the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions; general economic conditions becoming less favorable than expected, continued disruption in the housing markets and/or asset price deterioration, which have had and may continue to have a negative effect on the valuation of certain asset categories represented on the Company’s balance sheet; increases in deposit insurance premiums or assessments imposed on the Company by the FDIC; a failure of the Company’s operating systems or infrastructure, or those of its third-party vendors, or errors or fraudulent behavior of employees or third-parties, that could disrupt its business; risks that are not effectively identified or mitigated by the Company’s risk management framework; and difficulty attracting and/or retaining key executives and/or relationship managers at compensation levels necessary to maintain a competitive market position; as well as the risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company’s reports as filed with the SEC.

In addition, expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the proposed merger with Northwest Bancshares might not be realized within the expected time frame and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters and completion of the merger might be greater than expected. The Company may have difficulty retaining key employees during the pendency of the merger. The requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals for the proposed merger might not be obtained.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS   At March 31, 2015 At December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands except share amounts) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 37,297 $ 17,927 Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in banks   27,623     6,215   Cash and cash equivalents 64,920 24,142 Securities available for sale, at fair value 203,848 217,572 Restricted stock 5,741 5,741 Loans held for sale 4,652 3,646 Loans: Portfolio loans 924,403 930,025 Allowance for loan losses   (16,797 )   (17,416 ) Net loans   907,606     912,609   Bank premises and equipment, net 9,302 9,173 Other real estate owned 772 772 Bank owned life insurance 19,928 19,757 Goodwill, net 21,582 21,582 Intangible assets, net 288 321 Accrued interest receivable 3,611 3,635 Other assets   14,199     17,677   Total Assets $ 1,256,449   $ 1,236,627     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Demand and other noninterest-bearing $ 153,758 $ 158,476 Savings, money market and interest-bearing demand 460,282 436,271 Certificates of deposit   454,971     440,178   Total deposits   1,069,011     1,034,925   Short-term borrowings 637 10,611 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 46,974 54,321 Junior subordinated debentures 16,238 16,238 Accrued interest payable 591 596 Accrued taxes, expenses and other liabilities   5,468     4,597   Total Liabilities   1,138,919     1,121,288   Shareholders' Equity Fixed rate cumulative preferred stock, Series B, no par value, $1,000 liquidation value, no shares were issued at March 31, 2015 and no shares were issued at December 31, 2014. - - Common stock, par value $1 per share, authorized 15,000,000 shares,

issued shares 10,005,009 at March 31, 2015 and 10,002,139 at December 31, 2014.

10,005 10,002 Additional paid-in capital 51,621 51,441 Retained earnings 62,125 60,568 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 140 (495 ) Treasury shares at cost, 347,349 shares at March 31, 2015 and 336,745 at December 31, 2014   (6,361 )   (6,177 ) Total Shareholders' Equity   117,530     115,339   Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 1,256,449   $ 1,236,627       Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)    

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

March 31, March 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts) Interest Income Loans $ 8,924 $ 8,928 Securities: U.S. Government agencies and corporations 939 1,028 State and political subdivisions 216 303 Other debt and equity securities 67 117 Federal funds sold and short-term investments   3   17   Total interest income 10,149 10,393 Interest Expense Deposits 1,022 1,082 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 141 155 Short-term borrowings - 26 Junior subordinated debenture   169   169   Total interest expense   1,332   1,432   Net Interest Income 8,817 8,961 Provision for Loan Losses   -   900   Net interest income after provision for loan losses 8,817 8,061 Noninterest Income Investment and trust services 422 400 Deposit service charges 768 770 Other service charges and fees 666 753 Income from bank owned life insurance 171 169 Other income   98   151   Total fees and other income 2,125 2,243 Securities gains, net 192 - Gains on sale of loans 660 703 Loss on sale of other assets, net   -   (34 ) Total noninterest income 2,977 2,912 Noninterest Expense Salaries and employee benefits 4,647 4,595 Furniture and equipment 1,286 1,148 Net occupancy 609 613 Professional fees 444 494 Marketing and public relations 385 400 Supplies, postage and freight 261 214 Telecommunications 157 151 Ohio Financial tax 210 224 Intangible asset amortization 33 33 FDIC assessments 223 272 Other real estate owned 7 24 Loan and collection expense 315 298 Other expense   612   393   Total noninterest expense   9,189   8,859   Income before income tax expense 2,605 2,114 Income tax expense   758   508   Net Income $ 1,847 $ 1,606   Dividends and accretion on preferred stock   -   35   Net Income Available to Common Shareholders $ 1,847 $ 1,571     Net Income Per Common Share Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.16 Diluted 0.19 0.16 Dividends declared 0.03 0.01 Average Common Shares Outstanding Basic 9,639,880

9,615,128

Diluted 9,738,594

9,652,263

            LNB Bancorp, Inc. Supplemental Financial Information (Unaudited - Dollars in thousands except Share and Per Share Data)   Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, END OF PERIOD BALANCES     2015     2014     2014     2014     2014 Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 64,920 $ 24,142 $ 36,167 $ 47,795 $ 68,241 Securities 203,848 217,572 218,847 219,422 217,510 Restricted stock 5,741 5,741 5,741 5,741 5,741 Loans held for sale 4,652 3,646 1,497 2,856 1,811 Portfolio loans 924,403 930,025 922,514 907,365 910,189 Allowance for loan losses   16,797   17,416   17,432   17,430   17,497 Net loans 907,606 912,609 905,082 889,935 892,692 Other assets   69,682   72,917   73,765   71,093   69,398 Total assets $ 1,256,449 $ 1,236,627 $ 1,241,099 $ 1,236,842 $ 1,255,393 Total deposits 1,069,011 1,034,925 1,056,784 1,048,938 1,076,851 Other borrowings 63,849 81,170 65,779 66,413 66,723 Other liabilities   6,059   5,193   5,471   11,003   4,705 Total liabilities 1,138,919 1,121,288 1,128,034 1,126,354 1,148,279 Total shareholders' equity   117,530   115,339   113,065   110,488   107,114 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,256,449 $ 1,236,627 $ 1,241,099 $ 1,236,842 $ 1,255,393   AVERAGE BALANCES Assets: Total assets $ 1,240,485 $ 1,233,457 $ 1,228,769 $ 1,236,203 $ 1,234,380 Earning assets* 1,157,066 1,160,953 1,151,577 1,154,063 1,150,500 Securities 206,665 219,861 217,791 223,198 217,754 Portfolio loans 925,565 924,216 915,773 907,851 906,843 Liabilities and shareholders' equity: Total deposits $ 1,052,598 $ 1,047,688 $ 1,044,021 $ 1,056,143 $ 1,055,979 Interest bearing deposits 881,380 876,897 883,713 905,837 910,339 Interest bearing liabilities 948,111 943,339 951,143 972,784 978,073 Total shareholders' equity 116,017 114,135 111,394 108,624 106,681   INCOME STATEMENT Total Interest Income $ 10,149 $ 10,648 $ 10,350 $ 10,612 $ 10,393 Total Interest Expense   1,332   1,370   1,374   1,376   1,432 Net interest income 8,817 9,278 8,976 9,236 8,961 Provision for loan losses - 600 720 893 900 Other income 2,125 2,435 2,289 2,322 2,243 Net gain on sale of assets 852 956 1,072 929 669 Noninterest expense   9,189   9,907   8,818   8,798   8,859 Income before income taxes 2,605 2,162 2,799 2,796 2,114 Income tax expense   758   660   713   773   508 Net income 1,847 1,502 2,086 2,023 1,606 Preferred stock dividend and accretion   -   -   -   -   35 Net income available to common shareholders $ 1,847 $ 1,502 $ 2,086 $ 2,023 $ 1,571 Common cash dividend declared and paid $ 290 $ 290 $ 97 $ 97 $ 97   Net interest income-FTE (1) $ 8,923 $ 9,436 $ 9,135 $ 9,396 $ 9,117 Total Operating Revenue (4) $ 11,900 $ 12,827 $ 12,496 $ 12,647 $ 12,029     Three Months Ended March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,       2015       2014       2014       2014       2014   PER SHARE DATA Basic net income per common share $ 0.19 $ 0.16 $ 0.22 $ 0.21 $ 0.16 Diluted net income per common share 0.19 0.15 0.22 0.21 0.16 Cash dividends per common share 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.01 Book value per common shares outstanding 12.17 11.93 11.70 11.43 11.08 Tangible book value per common shares outstanding** 9.91 9.67 9.43 9.16 8.81 Period-end common share market value 17.84 18.03 14.29 12.18 11.42 Market as a % of tangible book 180.11 % 186.51 % 151.57 % 132.97 % 129.69 % Basic average common shares outstanding 9,639,880 9,626,842 9,626,536

9,626,420

9,615,128

Diluted average common shares outstanding 9,738,594

9,692,065

9,659,254

9,643,892

9,652,263

Common shares outstanding 9,657,660 9,665,394 9,665,394 9,664,972 9,664,972   KEY RATIOS Return on average assets (2)

0.60

%

0.48 % 0.67 % 0.66 % 0.53 % Return on average common equity (2)

6.46

%

5.22 % 7.43 % 7.47 % 6.11 % Efficiency ratio 77.22 % 77.24 % 70.57 % 69.57 % 73.65 % Noninterest expense to average assets (2)

3.00

%

3.19 % 2.85 % 2.85 % 2.91 % Average equity to average assets 9.35 % 9.25 % 9.07 % 8.79 % 8.64 % Net interest margin (FTE) (1)

3.13

%

3.22 % 3.15 % 3.27 % 3.21 % Common stock dividend payout ratio 15.82 % 19.36 % 4.63 % 4.79 % 6.18 % Common stock market capitalization $ 172,293 $ 174,267 $ 138,118 $ 117,719 $ 110,374     ASSET QUALITY Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for loan losses, beginning of period $ 17,416 $ 17,432 $ 17,430 $ 17,497 $ 17,505 Provision for loan losses - 600 720 893 900 Charge-offs 693 937 856 1,033 998 Recoveries   74     321     138     73     90   Net charge-offs   619     616     718     960     908   Allowance for loan losses, end of period $ 16,797   $ 17,416   $ 17,432   $ 17,430   $ 17,497     Nonperforming Assets Nonperforming loans $ 16,988 $ 16,578 $ 18,193 $ 19,907 $ 20,918 Other real estate owned   772     772     745     1,016     979   Total nonperforming assets $ 17,760   $ 17,350   $ 18,938   $ 20,923   $ 21,897     Ratios Total nonperforming loans to total loans 1.84 % 1.78 % 1.97 % 2.19 % 2.30 % Total nonperforming assets to total assets 1.41 % 1.40 % 1.53 % 1.69 % 1.74 % Net charge-offs to average loans (2)

0.27

%

0.26 % 0.31 % 0.42 % 0.41 % Provision for loan losses to average loans (2)

0.00

%

0.26 % 0.31 % 0.39 % 0.40 % Allowance for loan losses to portfolio loans 1.82 % 1.87 % 1.89 % 1.92 % 1.92 % Allowance to nonperforming loans 98.88 % 105.05 % 95.82 % 87.56 % 83.65 % Allowance to nonperforming assets 94.58 % 100.38 % 92.05 % 83.31 % 79.91 %   CAPITAL & LIQUIDITY Period-end tangible common equity to assets** 7.75 % 7.69 % 7.47 % 7.29 % 6.90 % Average equity to assets 9.35 % 9.25 % 9.07 % 8.79 % 8.64 % Average equity to loans 12.53 % 12.35 % 12.16 % 11.96 % 11.76 % Average loans to deposits 87.93 % 88.21 % 87.72 % 85.96 % 85.88 % Tier 1 leverage ratio (3) 9.19 % 9.10 % 9.01 % 8.77 % 8.61 % Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (3) 10.86 % 11.26 % 11.09 % 11.17 % 10.90 % Total risk-based capital ratio (3) 12.11 % 12.51 % 12.34 % 12.42 % 12.15 %

 

(1) FTE -- fully tax equivalent at 34% tax rate

(2) Annualized

(3) The March 31, 2015 Tier I leverage ratio was prepared under Basel III capital requirements, which were effective January 1, 2015. Prior year ratios were prepared under Basel I requirements.

(4) Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis ("FTE") plus noninterest income from operations * Earning Assets includes Loans Held for Sale * * Non-GAAP measures.

**Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Statements included in this press release include non-GAAP financial measures. The Corporation uses these non-GAAP financial measures, including the period-end tangible common equity to assets ratio, in its analysis of the Corporation's performance. Period-end tangible common equity excludes preferred stock as well as goodwill and other intangible assets, net, from total shareholders' equity. Management believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide additional useful information that allows readers to evaluate the ongoing performance of the Corporation. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance or financial condition as promulgated under GAAP, and investors should consider Corporation’s performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

LNB Bancorp, Inc.Peter R. Catanese, 440-244-7126Senior Vice President