BANGOR — Edwin N. Clift, president and chief executive officer of Merrill Merchants Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary Merrill Merchants Bank, has announced earnings effective Sept. 30 of $947,000. The results represent a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.

Total assets of the company are now at $175 million, up from $156 million last year. Growth of 10 percent in its loan portfolio and 15 percent in its deposit base have contributed to a return on average assets of 0.82 percent, with a return on average equity of 12.85 percent.

Merrill Merchants has seven branches in the Bangor area.