Exhibit 99.1

Eagle Bancorp Montana Earnings Increase 61% to $658,000 in Third Fiscal Quarter; Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend

HELENA, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2012--Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBMT), (the “Company,” “Eagle”), the holding company of American Federal Savings Bank, today reported its earnings increased 61% to $658,000, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $408,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago. In the quarter ended December 31, 2011 it earned $487,000, or $0.12 per diluted share. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012 Eagle earned $1.6 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the like period a year ago.

The Company also announced its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.07125 per share payable May 25, 2012 to shareholders of record on May 4, 2012.

“With strong capital, improving asset quality and continued profitability, we have invested in our infrastructure to position Eagle for the future,” said Pete Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our initiatives remain focused on strengthening our balance sheet, increasing liquidity and building our capital base. We also want to increase lending whenever we have credit worthy opportunities. At this time we are exploring all growth opportunities, both organic and through acquisition, in our markets and surrounding areas.”

Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Highlights

• Eagle earned $658,000 or $0.17 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to $487,000, or $0.12 per diluted share in the preceding quarter and $408,000, or $0.10 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
• Net interest margin was 3.73% in the third quarter, compared to 3.81% in the preceding quarter and 3.71% in the third quarter a year ago.
• Nonperforming assets were $5.4 million, or 1.62% of total assets at quarter-end, compared to $5.6 million, or 1.69% of total assets three months earlier and $3.7 million, or 1.09% of total assets a year ago.
• Nonperforming loans totaled $3.5 million, or 1.95% of total loans at December 31, 2011 compared to $3.6 million, or 1.95% of total loans three months earlier and $2.3 million, or 1.24% of total loans a year earlier.
• Total deposits increased 4.50% year-over-year to $220.2 million.
• Commercial real estate loans increased 3.44% year-over-year to $65.8 million and now comprise 36.8% of the total loan portfolio. Of the $65.8 million, $21.8 million, or 31%, have a federal agency guarantee.
• Capital ratios remain strong with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 16.86%.
• Declared regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.07125 per share.

Balance Sheet Results

“The total loan portfolio contracted slightly compared to a year ago, due to soft loan demand and loan payoffs,” said Johnson. “However, commercial and industrial loans increased, which is an area that we are placing the most emphasis on growing.” Total loans declined 4.55% to $179.0 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $187.5 million at March 31, 2011. Commercial real estate loans increased 3.4% to $65.8 million compared to $63.6 million a year earlier, while residential mortgage loans decreased 11.5% to $63.2 million compared to $71.4 million a year earlier. Commercial and industrial loans increased 41.1% to $15.0 million and home equity loans decreased 14.6% to $24.3 million compared to a year ago.

“Our deposit base continues to be generated from our home market of greater Western Montana and includes a strong mix of individual and business accounts,” said Johnson. Total deposits increased 4.50% to $220.2 million at the end of March compared to $210.7 million a year ago. Checking and money market accounts represent 44.8% of total deposits, savings accounts represent 18.4% of total deposits, and CDs comprise 36.8% of the total deposit portfolio at March 31, 2012.

Assets totaled $332.2 million at March 31, 2012, compared to $334.6 million a year earlier. Shareholders’ equity was $53.5 million at March 31, 2012, compared to $53.0 million a year ago and the book value increased 6.2% to $13.78 per share at March 31, 2012, compared to $12.97 per share a year ago.

Credit Quality

“Eagle’s credit quality metrics continued to improve, with nonperforming loans, nonperforming asset levels and net charge offs all decreasing during the quarter,” said Clint Morrison, SVP and CFO. “The overall trend in credit quality has stabilized, with minimal problem credits added to the nonaccrual portfolio during the quarter.”

Nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $3.5 million, or 1.95% of total loans at March 31, 2012, compared to $3.6 million, or 1.95% of total loans, three months earlier, and $2.3 million, or 1.24% of total loans, a year ago. Other real estate owned (OREO) and other repossessed assets totaled $1.9 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $2.0 million three months earlier and $1.3 million a year earlier. “We took $165,000 in provisions for valuation losses for OREO during the quarter, compared to no provision for valuation losses in the preceding quarter,” said Morrison. “We are working diligently to sell these properties as quickly as possible but realize that it will take time.”

Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO and other repossessed assets, loans delinquent 90 days or more, and restructured loans, totaled $5.4 million, or 1.62% of total assets, at March 31, 2012, compared to $5.6 million, or 1.69% of total assets in the preceding quarter, and $3.7 million, or 1.09% of total assets, a year ago.

Because of the improving credit metrics, Eagle reduced its first quarter provision for loan losses to$258,000, and recorded net charge-offs of $63,000. The provision for loan losses was $325,000 in the preceding quarter and $276,000 in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of fiscal 2012 the provision for loan losses totaled $841,000 compared to $793,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2011. The allowance for loan losses now stands at $1.70 million, or 0.95% of total loans at March 31, 2012, compared to $1.50 million, or 0.82% of total loans at December 31, 2011, and $1.65 million, or 0.88% of total loans a year ago.

Operating Results

“The net interest margin contracted from the prior quarter due to higher balances in federal funds, which were only earning between 10 and 25 basis points,” said Morrison. “Also notable for the quarter was a significant increase in non-interest bearing checking accounts.” The net interest margin was 3.73% in the third quarter, compared to 3.81% in the preceding quarter and 3.71% in the third quarter a year ago. Funding costs for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased eight basis points compared to the previous quarter and asset yields decreased 15 basis points compared to the previous quarter. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012 the net interest margin improved 12 basis points to 3.73% compared to 3.61% in the first nine months a year ago.

Net interest income before the provision for loan loss was $2.76 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $2.83 million in the preceding quarter and $2.80 million in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of the year, the net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 3.10% to $8.35 million, compared to $8.10 million in the same period a year earlier.

Third quarter noninterest income increased 38.1% to $1.30 million, compared to $944,000 in the third quarter a year ago. In the second quarter of fiscal 2012 noninterest income was $1.08 million. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012 noninterest income was $2.95 million compared to $3.83 million in the first nine months a year ago.

Largely due to increased mortgage refinance activity recently resulting from the low interest rate environment, Eagle’s third quarter net gain on the sale of loans increased to $522,000 compared to $403,000 in the preceding quarter and $333,000 in the third quarter a year ago. However, for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 the net gain on the sale of loans decreased 40.8% to $1.16 million, compared to $1.96 million in the same period a year earlier when mortgage loan activity was at its peak.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2012 noninterest expense was $2.91 million, compared to $2.88 million in the preceding quarter and $2.86 million in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012 noninterest expense was $8.24 million compared to $8.37 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2011. “Consulting fees were down compared to the immediate prior quarter, but we expect this expense to fluctuate as we continue to proactively pursue possible merger and acquisition activities,” added Johnson. Consulting fees were $55,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to $308,000 in the preceding quarter and $36,000 in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012 consulting fees were $450,000 compared to $94,000 in the same period a year earlier.

Eagle’s third quarter return on average equity (ROAE) was 4.88% compared to 3.65% in the preceding quarter and 3.08% in the third quarter a year ago. Return on average assets (ROAA) was 0.80% in the third quarter compared to 0.59% in the preceding quarter and 0.49% in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012, Eagle’s ROAE was 3.92% compared to 4.79% in the first nine months of fiscal 2011. Eagle’s nine month ROAA was 0.63% compared to 0.78% in the first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the last twelve months, Eagle has purchased 204,156 shares of its common stock on the open market under the Repurchase Plan, which was previously announced in April 2011. Under the plan there are no shares remaining to be purchased. Eagle Bancorp Montana’s Board of Directors may authorize a new Repurchase Plan in the future based on market conditions and other corporate considerations.

Capital Management

Eagle Bancorp Montana continues to meet the well capitalized thresholds for regulatory purposes with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 16.86% at March 31, 2012.

About the Company

Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. is the stock holding company of American Federal Savings Bank. American Federal Savings Bank was formed in 1922 and is headquartered in Helena, Montana. It has additional branches in Butte, Bozeman and Townsend. Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. commenced operations on April 5, 2010 following the conversion of Eagle Financial MHC and the sale of Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. stock. Eagle's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "EBMT."

Forward Looking Statements –

This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be identified by the use of such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; competition among depository and other financial institutions; loan demand or residential and commercial real estate values in Montana; inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets; and other economic, governmental, competitive, regulatory and technological factors that may affect our operations. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:
Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc.
Peter J. Johnson, 406-457-4006
President and CEO
or
Clint J. Morrison, 406-457-4007
SVP and CFO