Chittenden Corporation Reports 10% Higher Earnings Per Share, and Announces New Share Repurchase Plan

BURLINGTON, Vt., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chittenden Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul A. Perrault, today announced earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 of $21.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to $19.5 million or $0.41 per diluted share from the same period a year ago. For the first six months of 2006, earnings were $41.2 million or $0.87 per diluted share, compared to $38.5 million or $0.82 per diluted share for the same period of a year ago. Chittenden also announced its quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, which will be paid on August 11, 2006, to shareholders of record on July 28, 2006.

SECOND QUARTER 2006 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS * Earnings per share were 10% higher than the same period in 2005 driven by higher revenues and lower income taxes. * Total loans increased 8% from June 30, 2005 with strong growth in several commercial categories. * Noninterest income increased 8% from the same period in 2005 with solid growth from wealth management and business services. * Noninterest expenses were well controlled and the efficiency ratio improved by 3.0% to 56.87%.

In making the announcement, Perrault said, "Despite intense competition, our banks continue to make progress, as our approach to local banking with broad capabilities continues to be attractive to our markets. I am particularly proud of how our bankers are bringing true value to our customers." In addition, Perrault announced that the Company had completed the buyback of one million shares of common stock, which was authorized by the Board of Directors on October 19, 2005.

Perrault also announced that the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan on July 19, 2006 for one million shares of the Corporation's common stock. The repurchase of the common stock may be done in negotiated transactions or open market purchases over the next two years.

ASSETS

Total loans increased $320 million from the second quarter of 2005 to $4.6 billion at June 30, 2006. The increases were attributable to solid growth in the commercial, construction and residential real estate portfolios. The growth in commercial and commercial real estate was particularly strong in Vermont and New Hampshire. Municipal loans experienced their historical seasonal trend, declining 48% from March 31, 2006, as June 30th coincides with the end of the fiscal year for most municipalities.

LIABILITIES

Total deposits increased $173 million from June 30, 2005 and decreased $66 million from March 31, 2006. On a linked quarter basis the Company experienced its normal seasonal declines in municipal deposits, which was partially offset by higher demand deposits and CDs from our commercial customers. Borrowings at June 30, 2006 were $424 million, compared with $354 million at June 30, 2005. The increase was primarily due to higher customer and wholesale repurchase agreements, which were utilized to fund loan growth.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis for the three months ended June 30, 2006 was $62.8 million, which was up $2.3 million from the same period a year ago. The Company's net interest margin for the second quarter was 4.22%, an increase of 2 basis points from the first quarter of 2006 and a decrease of 7 basis points from the same period a year ago. The increase in net interest margin from the first quarter of 2006 was attributable to higher interest recoveries on former non-performing loans. The decline from the same period a year ago was due to higher funding costs, which were primarily driven by the Federal Reserve increasing short-term interest rates as well as strong competition for deposits.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2006 increased $1.4 million or 8% from the same period a year ago. The increase from 2005 was driven by higher investment management and trust fees, service charges on deposits, mortgage servicing, and other noninterest income. Investment management and trust fees increased $319,000 primarily due to higher brokerage and annuity sales at Chittenden Securities, LLC. Service charges on deposits increased due to higher overdraft and cash management fees. The increase in mortgage servicing income was attributable to lower MSR amortization and increased impairment recoveries driven by higher long-term interest rates. Other noninterest income increased $379,000 due to higher gains on the sale of assets.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expenses for the second quarter of 2006 were $47.6 million, an increase of $1.4 million from the same period in 2005. The increase from the prior year was attributable to a one-time gain of $1.5 million which reduced employee benefit expense in 2005. This gain resulted from the Company's decision to change the delivery mechanism for its employees' pension benefits. The Company's efficiency ratio improved by 3% from the similar quarter in 2005 to 56.87% for the second quarter of 2006.

INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate was 32.7% for the second quarter and 33.4% year to date compared with 34.3% and 34.5% respectively for the same periods in 2005. The lower effective income tax rates were primarily attributable to higher levels of tax-exempt municipal loan interest and tax credits from qualified low-income housing projects.

CREDIT QUALITY

The provision for credit losses was $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2006 compared to $1.4 million for the same quarter of 2005. Higher net charge-offs and continued loan growth primarily drove the increase in the provision for credit losses from the comparable period in 2005. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total loans at June 30, 2006 were 54 basis points, which was flat with the second quarter of 2005. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 2 basis points for the second quarter of 2006, up from 1 basis point for the same quarter a year ago. The increase in net charge-offs primarily relates to one commercial finance loan that was placed on non-accrual status in the first quarter of 2006. As a percentage of total loans, the allowance for credit losses was 1.38%, flat with year-end, and down from 1.43% at June 30, 2005.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Kirk W. Walters, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chittenden Corporation, will host a conference call on July 20, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss these earnings results. The Company may answer one or more questions concerning business and financial developments, trends and other business. Some of the responses to these questions may contain information that has not been previously disclosed. Interested parties may access the conference call by calling 866-578-5801, passcode 95332695. International dial-in number is 617-213-8058. Participants are asked to call in a few minutes prior to the call to allow time for registration. Internet access to the call is also available (listen only) by clicking "webcasts" under the Investor Resources section of the Company's website at http://www.chittendencorp.com/. A replay of the call will be available through July 27, 2006 by calling 888-286-8010 (International dial number is 617-801-6888), passcode 98460587. A replay of the call will also be available on the Company's website at the address above for an extended period of time.

Chittenden is a bank holding company headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. Through its subsidiary banks(1), the Company offers a broad range of financial products and services to customers throughout Northern New England and Massachusetts, including deposit accounts and services; commercial and consumer loans; insurance; and investment and trust services to businesses, individuals, and the public sector. Chittenden Corporation's news releases, including earnings announcements, are available on the Company's website.

This press release contains statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Chittenden intends for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans and expectations, which are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance or future expectations.

These differences may be the result of various factors, including changes in general, national or regional economic conditions, changes in loan default and charge-off rates, reductions in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments, changes in interest rates, changes in levels of income and expense in noninterest income and expense related activities, competition and other risk factors.

For further information on these risk factors and uncertainties, please see Chittenden's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Chittenden's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Chittenden undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other changes.

(1) Chittenden's subsidiaries are Chittenden Trust Company, The Bank of Western Massachusetts, Flagship Bank and Trust Company, Maine Bank & Trust Company, and Ocean National Bank. Chittenden Trust Company also operates under the names Chittenden Bank, CHZ Services Group, Mortgage Service Center, and it owns Chittenden Insurance Group, LLC, and Chittenden Securities, LLC. CHITTENDEN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In Thousands) Assets: 6/30/06 3/31/06 12/31/05 6/30/05 Cash and Cash Equivalents $172,567 $142,887 $180,707 $176,425 Securities Available For Sale 1,288,390 1,344,016 1,383,909 1,363,180 FRB / FHLB Stock 18,577 19,352 19,352 19,352 Loans Held For Sale 18,882 19,319 19,737 22,611 Loans: Commercial & Industrial (C&I) 851,692 836,986 848,420 831,537 Municipal 90,206 172,443 160,357 79,070 Multi-Family 205,443 195,809 196,590 185,920 Commercial Real Estate 1,884,716 1,827,096 1,778,202 1,736,665 Construction 218,123 212,824 192,165 124,648 Residential Real Estate 750,031 731,798 737,462 733,472 Home Equity Credit Lines 319,606 316,355 316,465 307,866 Consumer 254,839 254,719 257,829 255,239 Total Loans 4,574,656 4,548,030 4,487,490 4,254,417 Less: Allowance for Loan Losses (62,070) (61,464) (60,822) (60,805) Net Loans 4,512,586 4,486,566 4,426,668 4,193,612 Accrued Interest Receivable 31,138 32,772 32,621 29,689 Other Assets 102,079 93,673 93,377 87,492 Premises and Equipment, net 69,503 68,568 69,731 71,632 Mortgage Servicing Rights 14,529 13,966 13,741 12,073 Identified Intangibles 16,326 16,991 17,655 18,983 Goodwill 216,038 216,038 216,038 216,136 Total Assets $6,460,615 $6,454,148 $6,473,536 $6,211,185 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities: Deposits: Demand $965,794 $929,718 $973,752 $934,234 Savings 474,883 489,944 489,734 502,525 NOW 895,817 906,934 861,000 908,148 CMAs/ Money Market 1,441,573 1,584,777 1,749,878 1,418,634 Certificates of Deposit less than $100,000 878,181 853,645 814,289 811,389 Certificates of Deposit $100,000 and Over 661,322 618,319 625,682 569,505 Total Deposits 5,317,570 5,383,337 5,514,335 5,144,435 Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase 138,773 53,238 56,315 56,775 Other Borrowings 285,497 288,482 171,008 296,903 Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities 63,299 59,295 60,488 64,466 Total Liabilities 5,805,139 5,784,352 5,802,146 5,562,579 Stockholders' Equity: Common Stock 50,235 50,235 50,220 50,210 Surplus 273,723 272,696 276,278 273,533 Retained Earnings 442,456 430,811 419,057 392,312 Treasury Stock, at cost (85,678) (64,189) (60,801) (67,657) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (30,924) (25,216) (18,968) (4,978) Directors' Deferred Compensation to be Settled in Stock 5,664 5,459 5,604 5,197 Unearned Portion of Employee Restricted Stock - - - (11) Total Stockholders' Equity 655,476 669,796 671,390 648,606 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $6,460,615 $6,454,148 $6,473,536 $6,211,185 Prior year amounts reflect the modified retrospective application of SFAS 123-R "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." CHITTENDEN CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In Thousands, except for per share amounts) For the Three Months For the Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Interest Income: Loans $78,547 $62,786 $151,812 $120,937 Investments 14,120 14,829 28,814 29,890 Total Interest Income 92,667 77,615 180,626 150,827 Interest Expense: Deposits 25,715 14,193 48,780 25,461 Borrowings 4,900 3,342 8,798 6,301 Total Interest Expense 30,615 17,535 57,578 31,762 Net Interest Income 62,052 60,080 123,048 119,065 Provision for Credit Losses 1,750 1,400 3,283 2,475 Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses 60,302 58,680 119,765 116,590 Noninterest Income: Investment Management and Trust 5,322 5,003 10,475 9,974 Service Charges on Deposits 4,358 4,093 8,287 8,134 Mortgage Servicing 657 209 1,320 564 Gains on Sales of Loans, Net 1,903 2,003 3,273 4,134 Credit Card Income, Net 1,269 1,131 2,461 2,106 Insurance Commissions, Net 1,429 1,526 3,475 3,890 Other 3,590 3,211 6,824 5,933 Total Noninterest Income 18,528 17,176 36,115 34,735 Noninterest Expense: Salaries 23,789 23,911 46,706 45,587 Employee Benefits 5,598 4,238 11,350 10,717 Net Occupancy 5,780 6,024 11,930 12,350 Data Processing 982 810 1,953 1,585 Amortization of Intangibles 664 664 1,329 1,438 Other 10,823 10,583 20,768 20,765 Total Noninterest Expense 47,636 46,230 94,036 92,442 Income Before Income Taxes 31,194 29,626 61,844 58,883 Income Tax Expense 10,185 10,166 20,637 20,341 Net Income $21,009 $19,460 $41,207 $38,542 Basic Earnings Per Share $0.45 $0.42 $0.88 $0.83 Diluted Earnings Per Share 0.45 0.41 0.87 0.82 Dividends Per Share 0.20 0.18 0.38 0.36 Prior year amounts reflect the modified retrospective application of SFAS 123-R "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." CHITTENDEN CORPORATION SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (In thousands, except ratios and per share amounts) 6/30/06 3/31/06 12/31/05 6/30/05 Selected Financial Ratios Return on Average Tangible Equity (1) 19.87% 18.92% 20.47% 19.58% Return on Average Equity 12.75% 12.21% 13.11% 12.24% Return on Average Tangible Assets (1) 1.38% 1.35% 1.43% 1.35% Return on Average Assets 1.30% 1.27% 1.35% 1.27% Net Yield on Earning Assets 4.22% 4.20% 4.30% 4.29% Efficiency Ratio (1) 56.87% 56.61% 54.37% 59.87% Tangible Capital Ratio 6.79% 7.02% 7.01% 6.92% Leverage Ratio 9.04% 9.38% 9.21% 9.10% Tier 1 Capital Ratio 11.29% 11.61% 11.23% 10.73% Total Capital Ratio 12.49% 12.82% 12.40% 11.92% Common Share Data Common Shares Outstanding 45,978 46,748 46,829 46,437 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 46,423 46,804 46,690 46,414 Weighted Average and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding 46,903 47,401 47,291 46,901 Book Value per Share $14.26 $14.33 $14.34 $13.97 Tangible Book Value per Share (1) $9.20 $9.34 $9.35 $8.90 Credit Quality Data Nonperforming Assets (NPAs) $24,727 $24,844 $16,194 $23,150 90 days Past Due and Still Accruing 2,283 3,323 3,038 1,981 Total $27,010 $28,167 $19,232 $25,131 NPAs to Loans Plus OREO 0.54% 0.55% 0.36% 0.54% Allowance for Loan Losses $62,070 $61,464 $60,822 $60,805 Reserve for Unfunded Commitments (2) 1,200 1,200 1,200 - Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) $63,270 $62,664 $62,022 $60,805 ACL to Loans 1.38% 1.38% 1.38% 1.43% ACL to Loans (excluding Municipals) 1.41% 1.43% 1.43% 1.46% ACL to Nonperforming Loans 260.13% 257.81% 392.06% 262.71% Gross Charge-offs $1,872 $1,753 $1,840 $1,313 Gross Recoveries 728 862 1,040 907 Net Charge-offs $1,144 $891 $800 $406 Net Charge-offs to Average Loans 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.01% QTD Average Balance Sheet Data Securities $1,333,444 $1,391,413 $1,378,688 $1,409,045 Loans, Net 4,552,727 4,455,403 4,408,205 4,174,491 Earning Assets 5,948,463 5,915,366 5,895,121 5,644,833 Total Assets 6,462,457 6,430,410 6,418,971 6,151,863 Deposits 5,372,367 5,377,674 5,454,388 5,085,064 Borrowings 367,521 321,073 246,660 367,617 Stockholders' Equity 661,020 671,058 660,353 637,904 Prior year amounts reflect the modified retrospective application of SFAS 123-R "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." 1. Reconciliation of non-GAAP measurements to GAAP 6/30/06 3/31/06 12/30/05 6/30/05 Net Income (GAAP) $21,009 $20,198 $21,813 $19,460 Amortization of core deposit intangible, net of tax 431 432 432 431 Tangible Net Income(A) $21,440 $20,630 $22,245 $19,891 Average Stockholders' Equity (GAAP) $661,020 $671,058 $660,353 $637,904 Average Core Deposit Intangible 16,659 17,323 17,992 19,417 Average Deferred Tax on CDI (4,435) (4,610) (4,785) (5,136) Average Goodwill 216,038 216,038 216,103 216,136 Average Tangible Equity (B) $432,758 $442,307 $431,043 $407,487 Return on Average Tangible Equity (A) / (B) 19.87% 18.92% 20.47% 19.58% Average Assets (GAAP) $6,462,457 $6,430,410 $6,418,971 $6,151,864 Average Core Deposit Intangible 16,659 17,323 17,992 19,417 Average Deferred Tax on CDI (4,435) (4,610) (4,785) (5,136) Average Goodwill 216,038 216,038 216,103 216,136 Average Tangible Assets (C) $6,234,195 $6,201,659 $6,189,661 $5,921,447 Return on Average Tangible Assets (A) / (C) 1.38% 1.35% 1.43% 1.35% Efficiency Ratio: is computed by dividing total noninterest expense (less oreo expense, amortization expense, franchise tax and any nonrecurring items) by the sum of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis and total noninterest income (exclusive of gains and losses from securities, and nonrecurring items). The Company uses this non-GAAP measure, which is used widely in the banking industry, to provide important information regarding its operational efficiency, e.g. ($47,636-$3-$664-$722) / ($62,799+$18,528) = 56.87%. Tangible book value per share: is computed by subtracting goodwill and identified intangibles from equity, and dividing the resultant number by common shares outstanding, e.g. ($655,476-$16,326-$216,038) / 45,978= $9.20. While the Company's management uses non-GAAP measures for operational and investment decisions and believes that these measures are among several useful measures for understanding its operating results and financial condition, these measures should not be construed as a substitute for GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures should be read and used in conjunction with the Company's reported GAAP operating results and financial information. 2. The reserve for unfunded commitments is included in other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.