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8-K - FORM 8K FBC - FIRST BUSEY CORP /NV/form8k_fbc.htm

April 24, 2012
 

 
First Busey Announces 2012 First Quarter Results
 
Champaign, IL – (Nasdaq: BUSE)
 
Message from our President & CEO
 
First Busey Corporation’s net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $7.6 million and net income available to common stockholders was $6.7 million, or $0.08 per fully-diluted common share, as compared to net income of $5.7 million and net income available to common stockholders of $4.5 million, or $0.05 per fully-diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2011.  In comparison, the Company reported net income for the first quarter of 2011 of $9.1 million and net income available to common stockholders of $7.3 million, or $0.09 per fully-diluted common share.

Our year-over-year results were impacted positively by our exit from the TARP program in August 2011, which reduced the cost of preferred stock dividends by $0.3 million. Also contributing to our lower preferred stock dividends was the March 2011 conversion of our Series B preferred stock, which had $0.5 million of associated preferred dividend costs in the first quarter of 2011. These reductions in preferred stock dividends favorably impacted net income available to common stockholders in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011. In conjunction with our exit from the TARP program, we issued preferred stock to the U.S. Department of Treasury through the Small Business Lending Fund, which we believe aligns with our objective to further enhance our business lending efforts, especially to qualifying small businesses.

At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Busey Bank continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered “well-capitalized” under the regulatory guidance. Additionally, Tangible Common Equity (TCE) increased to $310.4 million at March 31, 2012 from $306.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $292.3 million at March 31, 2011.  TCE represented 8.85% of tangible assets at March 31, 2012 compared to 9.09% at December 31, 2011 and 8.38% at March 31, 2011.

On April 27, 2012, we will pay a cash dividend of $0.04 per common share to stockholders of record as of April 20, 2012.  The Company has consistently paid dividends to its common shareholders every quarter since its stock began trading on the NASDAQ exchange in 1998.

Asset Quality:  With great effort and focus, we continue to drive positive trends across a range of credit indicators. We expect continued gradual improvement in our overall asset quality during 2012; however, this continues to be dependent upon market-specific economic conditions.  The key metrics are as follows:

·  
Non-performing loans decreased to $34.1 million at March 31, 2012 from $38.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $60.9 million at March 31, 2011.

o  
Illinois non-performing loans decreased to $20.9 million at March 31, 2012 from $23.0 million at December 31, 2011 and $30.1 million at March 31, 2011.
o  
Florida non-performing loans decreased to $8.5 million at March 31, 2012 from $10.8 million at December 31, 2011 and $23.4 million at March 31, 2011.
o  
Indiana non-performing loans of $4.7 million at March 31, 2012 remained relatively consistent with the amount recorded at December 31, 2011, but decreased from $7.4 million at March 31, 2011.

·  
Loans 30-89 days past due increased to $15.9 million at March 31, 2012 from $4.7 million at December 31, 2011, but decreased from $18.4 million at March 31, 2011. The primary reason for the increase from year-end 2011 relates to two large commercial credits. We are actively pursuing collection on these credits.
·  
Other non-performing assets increased to $8.7 million at March 31, 2012 from $8.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $7.2 million at March 31, 2011.
·  
The ratio of non-performing assets to total loans plus other non-performing assets at March 31, 2012 decreased to 2.13% from 2.28% at December 31, 2011 and 3.04% at March 31, 2011.
·  
The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio increased to 157.75% at March 31, 2012 from 151.91% at December 31, 2011 and 122.89% at March 31, 2011.
·  
The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio decreased to 2.68% at March 31, 2012 compared to 2.85% at December 31, 2011 and 3.35% at March 31, 2011.
·  
Net charge-offs of $9.7 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012 were lower than the $10.4 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011, but were greater than the $6.2 million recorded in the first quarter of 2011.
·  
Provision expense of $5.0 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012 was consistent with the amount recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2011.
 
    Operating Performance:  We made great strides to strengthen our balance sheet in 2011, and, as we move into 2012, the Company is dedicated to continuing efforts which are
    actively underway to support organic growth.  Our net income increased to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, but
    declined from $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.
 
    The fluctuation in net income resulted from a year-over-year increase in other non-interest income, offset by a decline in net interest income and increased salary and wages and
    employee benefits. While our expenses increased as we continued to build out the infrastructure to support our growth strategy, the impact on earnings was mitigated by short
    term gains from private equity funds.  Thus, we were able to maintain a steady earnings flow for our shareholders during the quarter.
 
    Our business outreach across our footprint has increased substantially, and we are encouraged by the volumes building in our loan pipeline.  We expect these efforts to drive
    new loan growth in upcoming quarters.  Furthermore, our core deposits increased to $2.7 billion at March 31, 2012, from $2.5 billion at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011.  In
    addition, as of March 31, 2012, our services per household has increased approximately 19%, to nearly five services per household as compared to March 31, 2011.
 
    These factors and other key metrics are as follows:

· 
 
Total revenue, net of interest expense and security gains, for the first quarter of 2012 was $43.6 million, compared to $41.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 and $43.9 million for the first quarter of 2011.
·  
 
Net interest income declined to $25.7 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $26.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $28.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. The decline in net interest income for these periods was primarily related to a decline in loans, which was partially offset by reduced funding costs.  The Company is focused on growing loans in 2012 as discussed in greater detail below.
·  
Net interest margin decreased to 3.31% for the first quarter of 2012, as compared to 3.44% for the fourth quarter of 2011, and 3.55% for the first quarter of 2011.
·  
Trust fees increased to $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2011.  The increase was led by modest organic growth, which increased assets under management and activity, improved security market valuations and heightened activity in services to agriculture-based businesses.
·   
Gains on sales of residential mortgage loans decreased to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2011. Fluctuations in sales are primarily a function of changes in market rates for mortgage loans which influence refinance activity.
·  
Other non-interest income increased to $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2011.  This significant increase primarily resulted from income earned on the Company’s private equity funds, for which the Company recorded a net gain of $2.1 million.  The majority of this gain relates to income earned from a local, community-focused organization. The Company does not expect other non-interest income to be as high in future quarters.
·  
Busey Wealth Management’s net income increased to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2012 from $0.7 million in both the fourth and first quarters of 2011.
· 
FirsTech’s net income of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2012 slightly increased from $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, but declined from $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2011.
·  
Salaries and wages and employee benefits increased to $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. This increase represents the implementation of plans to invest in talent to drive future business expansion as discussed in prior-period earnings releases. The primary investment is, and will continue to be, concentrated in our commercial banking segment to support profitable asset growth through value-added services to commercial clients in our existing and surrounding footprint. Busey Wealth Management is beginning a similar strategy to support a diversified revenue stream and expanded client service capabilities.
·  
Total non-interest expense was impacted favorably year-over-year by a decline in regulatory expense of $1.2 million as a result of a change in the FDIC’s rate assessment methodology. In addition, OREO expense declined $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, and declined $0.2 million compared to the first quarter of 2011.
·  
The efficiency ratio improved to 59.79% for the first quarter of 2012 from 64.83% for the fourth quarter of 2011, but increased from 55.87% for the first quarter of 2011.

Overview and Strategy: In recent periods we have been focused on reinforcing elements of strength and have produced solid capital, liquidity, and credit metrics while still maintaining leading market share in the principal communities we serve.

As we shift from traditional banking models to more robust, dynamic relationship building, we have naturally transitioned away from certain less profitable styles of business.  We recognize that our industry as a whole is facing challenges to quality asset growth, which has intensified competition and will require us to apply new competencies and make additional investments in order to earn the business of our clients and communities.

We put plans in place to meet these challenges through the adoption of cutting edge sales tools, products, and fresh talent that would add to the service suite of our existing professional team. We are realistic that this investment will take time to produce results and have embraced the discipline it will require to put forth the hard work to get it done and do it well.

As a financial services provider, we aspire to be a good partner and steady resource in the economic recovery of our communities.  As small business has historically led the way out of recession, our focus has been to retrench and rebuild our service offerings in this area so that we can help provide the impetus for local business as they create new jobs, and in doing so, expand our job footprint for our communities as well.

With a clear objective to support continued progress, and a track record for doing what we say we are going to do, we dedicate ourselves to growth – growth which is built upon financial strength and aimed at long-term profitability – as a priority for the continued success of our Pillars: our customers, associates, communities and shareholders.

We thank our associates for their efforts, our customers for their business and you, our stockholders, for your continued support of Busey.

 
\s\ Van A. Dukeman
 
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
    First Busey Corporation


 
 
 
 



SELECTED  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
         
 
 
                                         Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
December 31,
September 30,
March 31,
     
2012
2011
2011
2011
EARNINGS & PER SHARE DATA
         
 
Net income
 
 $                    7,643
$                 5,746
$               7,570
 $                    9,110
 
Income available to common stockholders1
 
                       6,735
4,512
6,521
                       7,334
 
Revenue2
 
                         43,578
41,318
42,445
                         43,888
 
Fully-diluted income per share
 
                             0.08
0.05
0.08
                             0.09
 
Cash dividends paid per share
 
                             0.04
0.04
0.04
                             0.04
             
 
Net income by operating segment
         
 
   Busey Bank
 
 $                    6,030
$                 5,520
$               7,068
 $                    8,820
 
   Busey Wealth Management
 
                              863
678
749
                              694
 
   FirsTech
 
                              265
184
381
                              450
             
AVERAGE BALANCES
         
 
Assets
 
 $             3,465,407
 $          3,394,410
 $        3,420,878
 $             3,590,108
 
Earning assets
 
3,183,248
3,108,069
3,138,274
                    3,294,097
 
Deposits
 
2,815,795
2,768,045
2,769,255
                    2,898,517
 
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
2,526,097
2,483,787
2,505,838
                    2,654,425
 
Stockholders' equity - common
 
337,665
334,179
331,387
                       289,475
 
Tangible stockholders' equity - common
 
301,274
296,924
293,243
                       249,563
             
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
         
 
Return on average assets3
 
0.78%
0.53%
0.76%
0.83%
 
Return on average common equity3
 
8.02%
5.36%
7.81%
10.27%
 
Return on average tangible common equity3
 
8.99%
6.03%
8.82%
11.92%
 
Net interest margin3
 
3.31%
3.44%
3.57%
3.55%
 
Efficiency ratio4
 
59.79%
64.83%
57.87%
55.87%
 
Non-interest revenue as a % of total revenues2
 
41.03%
35.92%
34.68%
35.41%
             
ASSET QUALITY
         
 
Gross loans
 
 $             2,006,157
 $           2,051,344
 $         2,099,314
 $             2,232,849
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
                         53,835
              58,506
              63,915
                         74,849
 
Net charge-offs
 
                           9,671
          10,409
          10,414
                           6,189
 
Allowance for loan losses to loans
 
2.68%
2.85%
3.04%
3.35%
 
Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans
157.75%
151.91%
148.73%
122.89%
 
Non-performing loans
         
 
     Non-accrual loans
 
33,763
             38,340
             41,987
                         56,829
 
     Loans 90+ days past due
 
363
               173
               986
                           4,078
 
  Geographically
         
 
     Downstate Illinois/ Indiana
 
25,675
 27,748
 29,733
                         37,527
 
     Florida
 
8,451
10,765
13,240
                         23,380
 
Loans 30-89 days past due
 
15,930
4,712
8,247
                         18,419
 
Other non-performing assets
 
8,719
  8,452
  11,577
                           7,193
             
1
Net income available to common stockholders, net of preferred dividend and TARP discount accretion
   
2
Total revenue, net of interest expense and  security gains
         
3
Quarterly ratios annualized and calculated on net income available to common stockholders
   
4
Net of security gains and intangible charges
         

 
 
 
 

 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
Assets
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 385,124     $ 315,053     $ 412,152  
Investment securities
    940,747       831,749       664,930  
Net loans, including loans held for sale
    1,952,322       1,992,838       2,157,999  
Premises and equipment
    69,410       69,398       72,518  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    35,877       36,704       39,358  
Other assets
    153,510       156,380       171,008  
Total assets
  $ 3,536,990     $ 3,402,122     $ 3,517,965  
                         
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
                       
Non-interest bearing deposits
  $ 522,356     $ 503,118     $ 484,480  
Interest-bearing deposits
    2,357,871       2,260,336       2,369,516  
Total deposits
  $ 2,880,227     $ 2,763,454     $ 2,853,996  
                         
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    144,709       127,867       120,734  
Long-term debt
    19,417       19,417       36,409  
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts
    55,000       55,000       55,000  
Other liabilities
    24,971       27,117       27,895  
Total liabilities
  $ 3,124,324     $ 2,992,855     $ 3,094,034  
Total stockholders' equity
  $ 412,666     $ 409,267     $ 423,931  
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity
  $ 3,536,990     $ 3,402,122     $ 3,517,965  
                         
Per Share Data
                       
Book value per common share
  $ 3.92     $ 3.89     $ 3.74  
Tangible book value per common share1
  $ 3.51     $ 3.46     $ 3.29  
Ending number of common shares outstanding
    86,626       86,617       86,597  
                         

 
1 Total common equity less goodwill and other intangibles divided by shares outstanding as of period end
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
           
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
           
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 25,526     $ 30,508  
Interest on investment securities
    4,570       4,398  
Total interest income
  $ 30,096     $ 34,906  
                 
Interest on deposits
    3,748       5,259  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    87       121  
Interest on long-term debt
    226       496  
Interest on junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts
    337       683  
Total interest expense
  $ 4,398     $ 6,559  
                 
Net interest income
  $ 25,698     $ 28,347  
Provision for loan losses
    5,000       5,000  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  $ 20,698     $ 23,347  
                 
Trust fees
    5,195       4,548  
Commissions and brokers' fees
    506       441  
Fees for customer services
    4,192       4,329  
Remittance processing
    2,167       2,381  
Gain on sales of loans
    2,413       2,632  
Net security gains (losses)
    -       (2 )
Other
    3,407       1,210  
Total non-interest income
  $ 17,880     $ 15,539  
                 
Salaries and wages
    12,111       9,560  
Employee benefits
    2,896       2,759  
Net occupancy expense
    2,205       2,415  
Furniture and equipment expense
    1,272       1,324  
Data processing expense
    2,159       2,110  
Amortization expense
    827       884  
Regulatory expense
    626       1,847  
OREO expense
    5       212  
Other operating expenses
    5,101       4,554  
Total non-interest expense
  $ 27,202     $ 25,665  
                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 11,376     $ 13,221  
Income taxes
    3,733       4,111  
Net income
  $ 7,643     $ 9,110  
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
  $ 908     $ 1,776  
Income available for common stockholders
  $ 6,735     $ 7,334  
                 
Per Share Data
               
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.09  
Fully-diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.09  
Diluted average common shares outstanding
    86,630       81,356  

 

 
 
 

 
 
Corporate Profile
 

First Busey Corporation is a $3.5 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois and has thirty-one full service and four limited service banking centers serving downstate Illinois, a full service banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and seven full service banking centers serving southwest Florida.  Busey Bank had total assets of $3.5 billion as of March 31, 2012.

Busey Wealth Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey Corporation. Through Busey Trust Company, Busey Wealth Management provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations.  As of March 31, 2012, Busey Wealth Management managed approximately $4.0 billion in assets.

Through Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation owns a retail payment processing subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc., which processes over 22 million transactions per year through online bill payments, lockbox processing and walk-in payments through its 3,100 agent locations in 38 states.

Busey Bank also provides electronic delivery of financial services through its website, www.busey.com.

Contact:
David B. White, CFO
217-365-4047




Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company.  Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions.  Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks; (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of acquisitions; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices.  These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.