The Savannah Bancorp Reports First Quarter EPS Decrease of 2.5 Percent and Announces Quarterly Dividend


SAVANNAH, Ga., April 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:SAVB) reported net income of $2,311,000 in the first quarter 2007, down $40,000, or 1.7 percent, from $2,351,000 in the first quarter 2006. Net income per diluted share was 39 cents in the first quarter 2007 compared to 40 cents per share in the first quarter 2006, a decrease of 2.5 percent. The slight earnings decrease is primarily attributable to a higher provision for credit losses and a lower net interest margin resulting primarily from higher deposit costs. Return on average equity was 13.90 percent, return on average assets was 1.12 percent and the efficiency ratio was 55.78 percent in the first quarter 2007. Prior period per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 5-for-4 stock split in December 2006.

Total assets increased 11 percent to $848 million at March 31, 2007, up from $764 million a year earlier. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $730 million compared to $641 million one year earlier, an increase of 14 percent. Deposits totaled $712 million and $630 million at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, an increase of 13 percent.

During the first quarter, a banking office site was selected in Bluffton, SC for Harbourside Community Bank and the lease for a build-to-suit facility was signed. Bluffton is one of the high growth coastal areas adjacent to Hilton Head Island. John Helmken, President and CEO of The Savannah Bancorp commented, "The Bluffton market is an essential part of our strategy for Harbourside. We have a branch manager and directors on board who are very much a part of the Bluffton community. We are also excited about our new Bryan Bank branch office which is currently in the design phase. This new office will allow us to capture an even greater share of the fast growing Bryan County market."

"Although we are in a challenging interest rate environment and very competitive banking markets with short-term challenges, we are located in great markets with many experienced bankers who provide the foundation for long-term success. In addition to loan growth, we are increasing our focus on noninterest revenues and core deposit growth through evaluation of existing strategies, review of lines of business and introduction of new products. We are also working diligently to add additional players to the team who will significantly improve our growth capabilities in our existing markets," added Helmken.

Nonperforming assets were $2,012,000 or 0.28 percent of total loans plus other real estate at March 31, 2007 compared to $2,093,000 or 0.33 percent of total loans at March 31, 2006. First quarter net credit losses were $234,000 for 2007 compared to $0 in the first quarter 2006. The first quarter net charge-offs included one charge-off for $200,000 on a second mortgage loan indirectly related to the borrower's losses incurred in Hurricane Katrina. The first quarter provision for credit losses included an extra $200,000 for the first quarter net charge-offs.

Net interest income increased 3.3 percent in the first quarter 2007 over the first quarter 2006. First quarter net interest margin declined to 4.17 percent in 2007 from 4.59 percent in 2006. Noninterest income declined $19,000, or 1.8 percent due to slightly lower mortgage related income and lower service charges on deposit accounts. Noninterest expense increased $252,000 or 5.1 percent in the first quarter 2007 compared to the first quarter 2006. Higher personnel, occupancy, equipment and information technology cost were partially offset by lower other operating expenses. Other operating expenses decreased by $191,000, resulting from approximately $198,000 in nonrecurring pre-opening expenses in the first quarter 2006.

Today, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share, payable on May 20, 2007 to shareholders of record as of April 27, 2007. This is the 47th consecutive quarterly dividend.

The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company with three banking subsidiaries, The Savannah Bank, N.A., Bryan Bank & Trust and Harbourside Community Bank. The Company has six banking locations in Savannah, GA, one in Richmond Hill, GA and one on Hilton Head Island, SC. Comprehensive historical and current financial information on the Company is available on its corporate website at www.savb.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding future expectations or events. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations.



             The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                  First Quarter Financial Highlights
                        March 31, 2007 and 2006
                ($ in thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   %
 Balance Sheet Data at March 31               2007        2006  Change
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total assets                             $848,292    $764,087     11
 Interest-earning assets                   807,111     729,403     11
 Loans                                     730,387     641,376     14
 Allowance for credit losses                 9,220       8,228     12
 Non-accruing loans                            400       1,945    (79)
 Loans past due 90 days - accruing             990         148     NM
 Other real estate owned                       622          --     NM
 Deposits                                  712,170     629,981     13
 Interest-bearing liabilities              674,522     601,630     12
 Shareholders' equity                       68,441      59,646     15
 Allowance for credit losses to
  total loans                                 1.26%       1.28%  (1.6)
 Nonperforming assets to total loans
  and OREO                                    0.28%       0.33%   (15)
 Loan to deposit ratio                         103%        102%   1.0
 Equity to assets                             8.07%       7.81%   3.3
 Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets      11.23%      11.26%  (0.3)
 Total capital to risk-weighted assets       12.48%      12.51%  (0.2)
 Outstanding shares(a)                       5,790       5,759    0.5
 Book value per share(a)                  $  11.82    $  10.36     14
 Market value per share(a)                $  27.00    $  28.06   (3.8)

 Performance Ratios for the First Quarter
 ----------------------------------------
 Net income                               $  2,311    $  2,351   (1.7)
 Return on average assets                     1.12%       1.29%   (13)
 Return on average equity                    13.90%      16.14%   (14)
 Net interest margin                          4.17%       4.59%  (9.2)
 Efficiency ratio                            55.78%      54.47%   2.4

 Per share data:(a)
 Net income - basic                       $    .40    $    .41    2.4
 Net income - diluted                     $    .39    $    .40    2.5
 Dividends                                $   .120    $   .112    7.1

 Average shares:(a)
 Basic                                       5,783       5,759    0.4
 Diluted                                     5,890       5,886    0.1

 (a) Share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the
     effect of a 5-for-4 stock split in December 2006.


              The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        March 31, 2007 and 2006
                ($ in thousands, except per share data)

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       March 31,
                                                     2007         2006
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Assets
 Cash and due from banks                        $  16,890    $  15,343
 Federal funds sold                                20,176       20,245
 Interest-bearing deposits in banks                 2,786        3,539
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash and cash equivalents                      39,852       39,127
 Securities available for sale, at fair value
  (amortized cost of $57,918 in 2007 and
   $50,121 in 2006)                                57,785       49,442
 Loans held for sale                                1,835       16,067
 Loans, net of allowance for credit losses
  of $9,220 in 2007 and $8,228 in 2006            721,167      633,148
 Premises and equipment, net                        6,274        5,750
 Other real estate owned                              622           --
 Bank-owned life insurance                          5,813        5,603
 Other assets                                      14,944       14,950
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total assets                              $ 848,292    $ 764,087
 =====================================================================

 Liabilities
 Deposits:
    Noninterest-bearing                         $  98,663    $  96,645
    Interest-bearing demand                       112,490       90,293
    Savings                                        18,917       19,794
    Money market                                  170,039      130,132
    Time deposits                                 312,061      293,117
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total deposits                              712,170      629,981
 Short-term borrowings                             37,480       37,589
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances - long-term       13,225       20,395
 Subordinated debt to nonconsolidated
  subsidiaries                                     10,310       10,310
 Other liabilities                                  6,666        6,166
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total liabilities                           779,851      704,441
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Shareholders' equity
   Common stock, par value $1 per share:
    authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued
    5,790,376 and 4,607,475 shares
    in 2007 and 2006, respectively                  5,790        4,607
   Preferred stock, par value $1 per share:
    authorized 10,000,000 shares, none issued          --           --
   Additional paid-in capital                      35,732       36,341
   Retained earnings                               27,308       19,977
   Treasury stock, 318 and 267 shares
      in 2007 and 2006, respectively                   (4)          (4)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net         (385)      (1,275)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total shareholders' equity                   68,441       59,646
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity                     $ 848,292    $ 764,087
 =====================================================================



             The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                  Consolidated Statements of Income
 For the Three Months and Five Quarters Ending March 31, 2007 and 2006
               ($ in thousands, except per share data)

                                                (Unaudited)
                                        For the Three Months Ended
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             March 31,            %
                                         2007        2006        Chg
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest and dividend income
 Loans, including fees                $ 14,351    $ 11,721        22
 Loans held for sale                        34         209       (84)
 Investment securities                     620         510        22
 Deposits with banks                        83          47        77
 Federal funds sold                        172         127        35
 ---------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest and dividend
         income                         15,260      12,614        21
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Interest expense
 Deposits                                6,092       3,894        56
 Other borrowings                          625         368        70
 FHLB advances                             164         247       (34)
 Subordinated Debt                         203         188       8.0
 ---------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest expense              7,084       4,697        51
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Net interest income                     8,176       7,917       3.3
 Provision for credit losses               500         415        20
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Net interest income after the
   provision for credit losses           7,676       7,502       2.3
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Noninterest income
 Service charges on deposits               347         376      (7.7)
 Mortgage related income, net              210         231      (9.1)
 Trust fees                                176         158        11
 Other operating income                    319         306       4.2
 ---------------------------------------------------------
     Total noninterest income            1,052       1,071      (1.8)
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Noninterest expense
 Salaries and employee benefits          2,964       2,691        10
 Occupancy and equipment                   758         651        16
 Information technology                    425         362        17
 Other operating expense                 1,000       1,191       (16)
 ---------------------------------------------------------
     Total noninterest expense           5,147       4,895       5.1
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Income before income taxes              3,581       3,678      (2.6)
 Income tax expense                      1,270       1,327      (4.3)
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 Net income                           $  2,311    $  2,351      (1.7)
 =========================================================
 Net income per share:
 Basic                                $    .40    $    .41      (2.4)
 =========================================================
 Diluted                              $    .39    $    .40      (2.5)
 =========================================================
 Average basic shares (000s)             5,783       5,759       0.4
 Average diluted shares (000s)           5,890       5,886       0.1
 Performance Ratios
 Return on average equity                13.90%      16.14%      (14)
 Return on average assets                 1.12%       1.29%      (13)
 Net interest margin                      4.17%       4.59%     (9.2)
 Efficiency ratio                        55.78%      54.47%      2.4
 Average equity                         67,434      59,058        14
 Average assets                        834,033     736,674        13
 Average interest-earning assets       799,678     703,438        14


                                  (Unaudited)
                  2007                    2006
 ----------------------   ------------------------------------- Q1-07/
                  First    Fourth     Third    Second     First  Q1-06
                Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter  % Chg
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest and
  dividend income
 Loans,
  including
  fees          $14,351   $14,063   $13,209   $12,548   $11,721     22
 Loans held
  for sale           34        52        64       233       209    (84)
 Investment
  securities        620       599       572       559       510     22
 Deposits
  with banks         83       127        65        54        47     77
 Federal funds
  sold              172       116       166       148       127     35
 --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total interest
    and dividend
    income       15,260    14,957    14,076    13,542    12,614     21
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest expense
 Deposits         6,092     5,754     5,251     4,443     3,894     56
 Other borrowings   625       561       326       546       368     70
 FHLB advances      164       168       166       197       247    (34)
 Subordinated Debt  203       214       214       200       188    8.0
 --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total interest
    expense       7,084     6,697     5,957     5,386     4,697     51
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Net interest
  income          8,176     8,260     8,119     8,156     7,917    3.3
 Provision for
  credit losses     500       450       360       360       415     20
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Net interest
  income after
  the provision
  for credit
  losses          7,676     7,810     7,759     7,796     7,502    2.3
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Noninterest income
 Service charges
  on deposits       347       389       384       377       376   (7.7)
 Mortgage related
  income, net       210       200       203       252       231   (9.1)
 Trust fees         176       170       164       166       158     11
 Other operating
  income            319       331       305       291       306    4.2
 --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total non-
    interest
    income        1,052     1,090     1,056     1,086     1,071   (1.8)
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Noninterest expense
 Salaries and
  employee
  benefits        2,964     2,659     2,717     2,785     2,691     10
 Occupancy and
  equipment         758       768       755       746       651     16
 Information
  technology        425       417       372       374       362     17
 Other operating
  expense         1,000     1,293     1,101     1,071     1,191    (16)
 --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total non-
    interest
    expense       5,147     5,137     4,945     4,976     4,895    5.1
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Income before
  income taxes    3,581     3,763     3,870     3,906     3,678   (2.6)
 Income tax
  expense         1,270     1,240     1,280     1,368     1,327   (4.3)
 --------------------------------------------------------------
 Net income     $ 2,311   $ 2,523   $ 2,590   $ 2,538   $ 2,351   (1.7)
 ==============================================================
 Net income per
  share:
 Basic          $   .40   $   .44   $   .45   $   .44   $   .41   (2.4)
 ==============================================================
 Diluted        $   .39   $   .43   $   .44   $   .43   $   .40   (2.5)
 ==============================================================
 Average basic
  shares (000s)   5,783     5,779     5,761     5,759     5,759    0.4
 Average diluted
  shares (000s)   5,890     5,884     5,886     5,894     5,886    0.1

 Performance Ratios
 Return on
  average equity  13.90%    15.33%    16.46%    16.91%    16.14%   (14)
 Return on
  average assets   1.12%     1.24%     1.34%     1.33%     1.29%   (13)
 Net interest
  margin           4.17%     4.26%     4.42%     4.51%     4.59%  (9.2)
 Efficiency
  ratio           55.78%     54.9%     53.9%     53.8%     54.5%   2.4
 Average
  equity         67,434    65,297    62,435    60,195    59,058     14
 Average
  assets        834,033   809,491   767,649   765,080   736,674     13
 Average
  interest-
  earning
  assets        799,678   772,192   732,405   729,101   703,438     14

 (a) Share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the
     effect of a 5-for-4 stock split in December 2006.


              The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
           Average Balance Sheet and Rate/Volume Analysis -
                     First Quarter, 2007 and 2006

                                               Taxable-Equivalent
  Average Balance  Average Rate                   Interest (a)
 ------------------------------                  -------------
      Q1        Q1     Q1     Q1                  Q1       Q1     Vari-
    2007      2006   2007   2006                2007     2006     ance
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   ($ in thousands)      (%)                    ($ in thousands)
                                Assets
                                Interest-bearing
 $  6,195  $  4,367  5.43  4.55  deposits     $   83  $    49  $    34
                                Investments
   51,186    44,616  4.79  4.27  - taxable       605      470      135
                                Investments
    1,940     2,938  7.94 10.90  - non-taxable    38       79      (41)
                                Federal funds
   13,230    11,355  5.27  4.43  sold            172      124       48
                                Loans held for
    1,652    12,668  8.35  6.69  sale             34      209     (175)
  725,475   627,494  8.03  7.58 Loans (b)     14,367   11,721    2,646
 --------  --------                           ------  -------  -------
                                Total interest-
                                 earning
  799,678   703,438  7.76  7.29  assets       15,299   12,652    2,647
                     ----  ----               ------  -------  -------
                                Noninterest-
   34,355    33,236              earning assets
 --------  --------
 $834,033  $736,674             Total assets
 ========  ========

                                Liabilities
                                 and equity
                                Deposits
 $109,131  $ 88,405  2.01  1.06  NOW accounts    542      231      311
                                 Savings
   18,391    19,880  0.99  1.00   accounts        45       49       (4)
                                 Money market
  149,898   128,158  4.26  3.10   accounts     1,576      981      595
                                 CDs, $100M or
  117,174    91,971  5.29  4.13   more         1,527      937      590
   80,100    90,751  4.76  3.51  CDs, broker     940      785      155
                                 Other time
  119,332    94,358  4.97  3.91   deposits     1,462      909      553
 --------  --------                           ------  -------  -------
                                Total interest-
                                 bearing
  594,026   513,523  4.16  3.07  deposits      6,092    3,892    2,200
                                FHLB advances
   13,272    20,441  5.01  4.88  - long term     164      246      (82)
                                Other
   49,352    31,559  5.14  4.72  borrowings      625      367      258
                                Subordinated
   10,310    10,310  7.99  7.40  debt            203      188       15
 --------  --------                           ------  -------  -------
                                Total interest-
                                 bearing
  666,960   575,833  4.31  3.31  Liabilities   7,084    4,693    2,391
                     ----  ----               ------   ------  -------
                                Noninterest-
   93,132    93,400              bearing deposits
    6,507     8,383             Other liabilities
   67,434    59,058             Shareholders' equity
 --------  --------
                                Liabilities
 $834,033  $736,674              and equity
 ========  ========
                                Interest rate
                     3.45  3.98  spread
                     ====  ====
                                Net interest
                     4.17  4.59  margin
                     ====  ====
                                Net interest
                                 income      $ 8,215  $ 7,959  $   256
                                             =======  =======  =======
                                Net earning
 $132,718  $127,605              assets
 ========  ========
 $687,158  $606,923             Average deposits
 ========  ========
                                Average cost
                     3.60  2.60  of deposits
                     ====  ====
                                Average loan to
      106%      103%             deposit ratio
 ========  ========

 (a) The taxable equivalent adjustment results from tax exempt income less 
     non-deductible TEFRA interest expense and was $39 and $42 in the 
     first quarter 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 (b) Average nonaccruing loans have been excluded from total average loans 
     and categorized as a noninterest-earning asset.


              The Savannah Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
         Historical Trend Data - Five Years and Five Quarters
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 The following tables show per share information for the most recent
 five years and five quarters. Share and per share information have
 been restated to reflect the effect of the 5-for-4 stock splits in
 December 2004 and December 2006.

 (amounts in thousands except share data)

 For the Most Recent Five Years
 ------------------------------
                          2006      2005      2004      2003      2002
                          ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
 Net income           $ 10,002  $  9,040  $  5,736  $  4,644  $  4,508
 Average shares
 Basic                   5,765     5,396     5,136     5,129     5,125
 Diluted                 5,876     5,531     5,261     5,226     5,200

 Net income per
  share ($)
 Basic                    1.73      1.68      1.12      0.91      0.88
 Diluted                  1.70      1.63      1.09      0.89      0.87
 Dividends per share      0.45      0.43      0.42      0.41      0.39

 Market price per
  common share ($)
 High close              30.40     30.00     22.08     18.56     14.14
 Low close               26.58     21.20     16.11     12.15     11.35
 Year-end close          27.25     28.38     21.64     18.56     12.20

 At December 31 ($)
 Assets                843,514   717,901   617,341   476,865   437,598
 Shareholders' equity   66,574    58,543    40,071    36,771    34,756
 Book value per share    11.52     10.20      7.80      7.17      6.78
 Outstanding shares      5,781     5,739     5,140     5,129     5,126

 Performance ratios (%)
 Return on equity        16.19     19.06     15.04     12.99     13.50
 Return on assets         1.30      1.32      1.03      1.05      1.14
 Net interest margin      4.44      4.25      3.86      3.91      4.10
 Efficiency ratio        54.29     51.91     58.47     59.40     59.17

 For the Most Recent Five Quarters
 ---------------------------------
 (Unaudited)                                     2006
                         2007    -------------------------------------
                         First    Fourth     Third    Second     First
                       Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter
                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
 Net income            $ 2,311   $ 2,523   $ 2,590   $ 2,538   $ 2,351
 Average shares
 Basic                   5,783     5,779     5,761     5,759     5,759
 Diluted                 5,890     5,884     5,886     5,894     5,886

 Net income per
  share ($)
 Basic                   0.400     0.437     0.450     0.441     0.408
 Diluted                 0.390     0.429     0.441     0.432     0.401
 Dividends per share     0.120     0.112     0.112     0.112     0.112

 Market price per
  common share ($)
 High close              28.07     28.14     30.31     30.40     29.58
 Low close               27.00     26.60     26.58     27.26     27.12
 Quarter-end close       27.00     27.25     26.64     30.26     28.06

 At quarter-end ($)
 Assets                848,292   843,514   793,746   772,026   764,087
 Shareholders' equity   68,441    66,574    64,394    61,018    59,646
 Book value per share    11.82     11.52     11.15     10.59     10.36
 Outstanding shares      5,790     5,781     5,771     5,759     5,759

 Performance ratios (%)
 Return on equity        13.90     15.33     16.46     16.91     16.14
 Return on assets         1.12      1.24      1.34      1.33      1.29
 Net interest margin      4.17      4.26      4.42      4.51      4.59
 Efficiency ratio        55.78     54.94     53.90     53.84     54.47

 Additional financial highlights are available at www.savb.com


            

Coordonnées