First Keystone Corporation, parent company of First Keystone Community Bank, with a branch located in Brodheadsville, reported net income of $2,596,000 and $6,849,000, respectively, for the three- and nine-month periods ended Sept. 30.

Earnings per share were 45 cents and $1.19 and dividends totaled 27 cents and 81 cents per share, respectively, for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30. Year-to-date net income increased by $588,000 as compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest income due to positive loan growth and a decrease in income tax expense.

Total interest income increased year over year by $2,106,000 or 8.8 percent chiefly due to positive loan growth and loans re-pricing increasing interest on loans by $2,173,000 or 13.0 percent, offset by an increase in interest paid on deposits of $852,000 or 28.8 percent, principally stemming from the rising deposit interest rate environment effected by the recent short-term federal funds rate hikes.