CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Trust Bank (OTC:NCFT) (BULLETIN BOARD: NCFT) reported September 30, 2005 results today. The bank reported net income of $807 thousand or $0.32 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, compared to net income of $604 thousand, or $0.29 per share, for the third quarter of 2004. This represents a 34% increase in net income over the same quarter last year and a 10% increase in earnings per share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, totaled $2.2 million or $.97 per share, compared to net income of $1.7 million or $0.82 per share, for the same period in 2004, an increase of 29% and 18% respectively. Average shares outstanding increased by 416,347 shares over the prior period, primarily the result of the Bank's secondary stock offering in May, 2005. Assets at September 30, 2005 grew to $292 million, an increase of $58 million or 25% over the $234 million reported at September 30, 2004. Loans totaled $206 million at September 30, an increase of 20% over September 30, 2004. The bank maintains a substantial reserve for loan losses, currently 1.60% of gross loans outstanding. "We are very pleased with our financial performance in 2005. Our growth in earnings continues to be strong and our asset quality remains outstanding," said Jim Bolt, President and CEO. First Trust is a commercial bank whose target market is small to medium sized businesses and professionals. The bank operates three banking offices at 100 Queens Road and 2245 Rexford Road, Charlotte, NC and 108 Gateway Boulevard, Mooresville, NC; and a loan production office at 916 Copperfield Boulevard in Concord, NC. For additional information, please contact Jean Galloway or Jim Bolt at 704-377-3936 (fax 704-377-8869) or by e-mail at http://www.firsttrustnc.com/. DATASOURCE: First Trust Bank CONTACT: Jean Galloway, or Jim Bolt of First Trust Bank, +1-704-377-3936, or fax, +1-704-377-8869, or http://www.firsttrustnc.com/ Web site: http://www.firsttrustnc.com/

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