Sierra Bancorp’s net income rose 19 percent in 2015

Sierra Bancorp, the Porterville-based parent of Bank of the Sierra, raised its net income to $18 million last year, an increase of 19 percent.

For the fourth quarter the bank posted a net income of $5.3 million. Total assets were $1.79 billion, an increase of 10 percent in 2015.

Bank officials attributed the bank’s higher profits to higher interest-earning assets and an increase in non-recurring interest income.

“We’re excited about our prospects for 2016 and anticipate that this will be another year of action, cultivating customer relationships and generating quality loan and deposit growth,” said Kevin McPhaill, president and chief executive officer.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Sierra Bancorp’s net income rose 19 percent in 2015."