Revenue during the quarter grew 7.50 percent to $20.48 million from $19.05 million in the previous year period. Net interest income for the quarter rose 12.73 percent over the prior year period to $16.33 million. Non-interest income for the quarter rose 3.38 percent over the last year period to $5.64 million.

United Community Financial Corp has made provision of $1.49 million for loan losses during the quarter, up 67.19 percent from $0.89 million in the same period last year.

Net interest margin improved 10 basis points to 3.26 percent in the quarter from 3.16 percent in the last year period. Efficiency ratio for the quarter improved to 61.89 percent from 63.74 percent in the previous year period. A decline in efficiency ratio indicates a rise in profitability.

Gary M. Small, president and chief executive officer of the Company, commented, "Excellent fourth quarter performance capped off an outstanding year for Home Savings. For the year we originated over $900 million in loans, delivered strong loan growth in our commercial and consumer business segments, successfully expanded our residential lending business into new markets, added insurance agency and mezzanine finance capabilities, and are well on our way to completing the integration process with Premier Bank and Trust.” Small continued, “All indications lead us to believe 2017 should prove to be an equally exciting year as business pipelines are full and we anticipate expansion of Premier’s asset management, trust and private banking business across the organization."

Deposits stood at $1,514.99 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 5.52 percent compared with $1,435.74 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Noninterest-bearing deposit liabilities were $256.92 million or 16.96 percent of total deposits on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with $227.50 million or 15.85 percent of total deposits on Dec. 31, 2015.

Investments stood at $440.80 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, down 5.89 percent or $27.57 million from year-ago. Shareholders equity was at $249.53 million as on Dec. 31, 2016.

Return on average assets moved up 5 basis points to 0.93 percent in the quarter from 0.88 percent in the last year period. At the same time, return on average equity increased 98 basis points to 8 percent in the quarter from 7.02 percent in the last year period.

Nonperforming assets moved up 5.78 percent or $1.12 million to $20.60 million on Dec. 31, 2016 from $19.47 million on Dec. 31, 2015. Meanwhile, nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.94 percent in the quarter, down from 0.98 percent in the last year period.

Book value per share was $5.36 for the quarter, up 4.28 percent or $0.22 compared to $5.14 for the same period last year.