Essa Bancorp, Inc. reported consolidated unaudited earnings results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2012. The company reported net income of $2.9 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2012 compared with net income of $886,000 or $0.08 per diluted share for the corresponding 2011 period. Net interest income increased $4.0 million, or 59.8%, to $10.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012, from $6.7 million for the comparable period in the prior year fiscal quarter, primarily reflecting $2.9 million growth in interest income, and a decrease in interest expense from other borrowings of $1.2 million.

Income before income taxes was $4.240 million against $1.070 million a year ago.