Second quarter earnings rose by 21 percent at Flushing Financial Corp. despite lower interest income.

The Lake Success-based corporate parent of the 17-branch Flushing Bank said net income for the quarter was $11.7 million or 39 cents a share, up from $9.6 million or 32 cents a share a year earlier.

But Flushing also said net interest margin, a measure of the difference between the interest a bank earns on its assets, such as loans and the interest it pays out to depositors, fell 3 basis points from the previous quarter, to 3.22 percent, due to the low interest rate environment and pre-payment of older, higher-yield loans. But the bank also said the cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell by 11 basis points year over year, to 1.23 percent, because of reduced rates it pays on most deposits and a reduction in the cost of borrowed funds.

The provision for loan losses improved to a negative $1.1 million for the second quarter from a provision of $3.5 million a year earlier.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME