MERRILLVILLE – Centier Bank has reported growth in earnings and an increase in capital in 2010. Earnings for the year were $10.2 million with a return of assets of 0.51 percent and a return on equity of 6.71 percent.

            Centier also increased its capital from $167.1 million to $186.6 million. First Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Centier Bank, announced a $10 per share cash dividend.

            Total assets were $2 billion and the loan portfolio was $1.62 billion. Consumer loans increased $18 million and business loans increase $23 million to $1.1 billion.

            “The last couple of years have been difficult for the U.S. economy and the banking industry, said Mike Schrage, president and CEO. “Our focus has been working with families and businesses to get back on their feet so that they can return to life and business and usual.”

            This year, Center will open a new Hammond office at Hohman and Douglas and expand its Indianapolis Loan Production office.