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8-K - FORM 8-K FOR APRIL 21, 2014 - PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INCform8kforapril212014.htm
EXHIBIT (99)(a)
       
       
NEWS RELEASE
   
       
   
April 21, 2014
 
Contact:
Lance A. Sellers
   
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
       
 
A. Joseph Lampron, Jr.
   
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
       
 
828-464-5620, Fax 828-465-6780
   
       
For Immediate Release
   
 
PEOPLES BANCORP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS RESULTS
 
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEBK), the parent company of Peoples Bank, reported first quarter earnings results with highlights as follows:

Highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $2.6 million or $0.46 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $1.8 million or $0.31 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Net earnings available to common shareholders were $2.6 million or $0.46 basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $1.6 million or $0.29 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Earnings before securities gains and income taxes were $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $2.0 million for the same period one year ago.
·  
Non-performing assets declined to $14.9 million or 1.4% of total assets at March 31, 2014, compared to $24.3 million or 2.4% of total assets at March 31, 2013.
·  
Core deposits were $694.2 million, or 85.6% of total deposits at March 31, 2014, compared to $656.0 million, or 83.7% of total deposits at March 31, 2013.
 
Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in first quarter earnings to a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in net interest income, which were partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income and an increase in non-interest expense.
 
Net interest income was $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $7.6 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense due to a reduction in the cost of funds combined with an increase in interest income due to an increase in the yield on investment securities and an increase in the average outstanding balance of investment securities.  Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased to $8.8 million during the first quarter of 2014, compared to $6.6 million for the same period one year ago.  The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was a credit of $349,000, as compared to an expense of $1.1 million for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $8.1 million reduction in non-accrual loans from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014 and a reduction in net charge-offs of $890,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest income was $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $3.4 million for the same period one year ago.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a $280,000 decrease in mortgage banking income and a $237,000 decrease in gains on sale of securities for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest expense was $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $7.7 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase is attributable to a $86,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $209,000 increase in occupancy expense and a $90,000 increase in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
 
5

 
 
Total assets amounted to $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2014 and 2013.  Available for sale securities amounted to $300.8 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $293.9 million as of March 31, 2013.  Total loans amounted to $618.0 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $610.0 million as of March 31, 2013.
 
Non-performing assets declined to $14.9 million or 1.4% of total assets at March 31, 2014, compared to $24.3 million or 2.4% of total assets at March 31, 2013, primarily due to a $8.1 million decrease in non-accrual loans and a $1.3 million decrease in other real estate owned.  Non-performing loans include $5.3 million in acquisition, development and construction (“AD&C”) loans, $6.0 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $324,000 in other loans at March 31, 2014, as compared to $9.6 million in AD&C loans, $9.4 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $729,000 in other loans at March 31, 2013.  The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2014 was $13.0 million or 2.1% of total loans, compared to $14.4 million or 2.4% of total loans at March 31, 2013.  According to Mr. Sellers, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate; however, there is no assurance that additional adjustments to the allowance will not be required because of changes in economic conditions, regulatory requirements or other factors.
 
Deposits amounted to $810.5 million as of March 31, 2014, compared to $783.8 million at March 31, 2013.  Core deposits, which include non-interest bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposit of denominations less than $100,000, increased $38.2 million to $694.2 million at March 31, 2014, as compared to $656.0 million at March 31, 2013.  Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $116.2 million at March 31, 2014, as compared to $127.8 million at March 31, 2013.  This decrease is attributable to a $7.8 million decrease in wholesale certificates of deposit combined with a decrease in retail certificates of deposit as intended as part of the Bank’s pricing strategy to allow maturing high cost certificates of deposit to roll-off.
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $43.3 million at March 31, 2014, as compared to $37.4 million at March 31, 2013.
 
Shareholders’ equity was $88.4 million, or 8.5% of total assets, as of March 31, 2014, compared to $98.3 million, or 9.7% of total assets, as of March 31, 2013.  This decrease reflects the Company’s repurchase and redemption of its Series A preferred stock combined with a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from a decrease in the unrealized gain on investment securities.
 
Peoples Bank operates 21 offices entirely in North Carolina, with offices in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union, Iredell and Wake Counties.  The Company’s common stock is publicly traded and is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PEBK.”
 
Statements made in this press release, other than those concerning historical information, should be considered forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management and on the information available to management at the time that this release was prepared.  These statements can be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions.  Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by Peoples Bank, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectibility of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations and (7) other risks and factors identified in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  including but not limited to those described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
 

 
6

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
March 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013
         
(Dollars in thousands)
           
             
             
             
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
March 31, 2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Audited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS:
           
Cash and due from banks
$ 50,906   $ 49,902   $ 19,754  
Interest bearing deposits
  28,006     26,871     52,624  
Cash and cash equivalents
  78,912     76,773     72,378  
                   
Investment securities available for sale
  300,756     297,890     293,925  
Other investments
  4,706     4,990     5,215  
Total securities
  305,462     302,880     299,140  
                   
Mortgage loans held for sale
  635     497     3,834  
                   
Loans
  618,040     620,960     609,965  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
  (12,978 )   (13,501 )   (14,412 )
Net loans
  605,062     607,459     595,553  
                   
Premises and equipment, net
  16,419     16,358     16,616  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  13,809     13,706     13,379  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
  18,465     17,011     17,380  
Total assets
$ 1,038,764   $ 1,034,684   $ 1,018,280  
                   
                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                 
Deposits:
                 
Non-interest bearing demand
$ 195,465   $ 195,265   $ 168,156  
NOW, MMDA & savings
  399,847     386,893     378,755  
Time, $100,000 or more
  116,200     115,268     127,772  
Other time
  99,023     101,935     109,149  
Total deposits
  810,535     799,361     783,832  
                   
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  43,319     45,396     37,388  
FHLB borrowings
  65,000     65,000     70,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619     20,619     20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
  10,880     20,589     8,163  
Total liabilities
  950,353     950,965     920,002  
                   
Shareholders' equity:
                 
Series A preferred stock, $1,000 stated value; authorized
                 
5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
12,524 shares at 3/31/13
  -       -       12,524  
Common stock, no par value; authorized
                 
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
5,613,495 shares at 3/31/14 and 12/31/13
  48,133     48,133     48,133  
Retained earnings
  39,109     36,758     32,911  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  1,169     (1,172 )   4,710  
Total shareholders' equity
  88,411     83,719     98,278  
                   
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 1,038,764   $ 1,034,684   $ 1,018,280  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
     
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
       
       
       
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME:
     
Interest and fees on loans
$ 7,401   $ 7,640
Interest on due from banks
  12     12
Interest on investment securities:
         
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
  847     378
State and political subdivisions
  1,177     984
Other
  108     89
Total interest income
  9,545     9,103
           
INTEREST EXPENSE:
         
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  126     218
Time deposits
  334     467
FHLB borrowings
  545     661
Junior subordinated debentures
  96     100
Other
  10     17
Total interest expense
  1,111     1,463
           
NET INTEREST INCOME
  8,434     7,640
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  (349 )   1,053
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
         
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  8,783     6,587
           
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
         
Service charges
  1,129     1,039
Other service charges and fees
  419     373
Gain on sale of securities
  26     263
Mortgage banking income
  104     384
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  198     139
Miscellaneous
  965     1,229
Total non-interest income
  2,841     3,427
           
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
         
Salaries and employee benefits
  4,276     4,190
Occupancy
  1,521     1,312
Other
  2,326     2,236
Total non-interest expense
  8,123     7,738
           
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
  3,501     2,276
INCOME TAXES
  923     518
           
NET EARNINGS
  2,578     1,758
           
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
  -       157
           
NET EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO
         
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
$ 2,578   $ 1,601
           
PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS
         
Basic net earnings
$ 0.46   $ 0.29
Diluted net earnings
$ 0.46   $ 0.29
Cash dividends
$ 0.04   $ 0.03
Book value
$ 15.75   $ 15.28
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
       
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
     
(Dollars in thousands)
       
         
         
         
 
Three months ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
       
Available for sale securities
$ 299,017   $ 286,527  
Loans
  617,461     621,077  
Earning assets
  942,723     936,820  
Assets
  1,019,275     1,004,257  
Deposits
  798,297     738,222  
Shareholders' equity
  87,712     99,381  
             
             
SELECTED KEY DATA:
           
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
  3.88%     3.52%  
Return on average assets
  1.03%     0.71%  
Return on average shareholders' equity
  11.92%     7.17%  
Shareholders' equity to total assets (period end)
  8.51%     9.65%  
             
             
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
           
Balance, beginning of period
$ 13,501   $ 14,423  
Provision for loan losses
  (349 )   1,057  
Charge-offs
  (575 )   (1,181 )
Recoveries
  401     113  
Balance, end of period
$ 12,978   $ 14,412  
             
             
ASSET QUALITY:
           
Non-accrual loans
$ 11,568   $ 19,667  
90 days past due and still accruing
  60     50  
Other real estate owned
  3,282     4,588  
Repossessed assets
  -       12  
Total non-performing assets
$ 14,910   $ 24,317  
Non-performing assets to total assets
  1.44%     2.39%  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets
  87.04%     59.27%  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
  2.10%     2.36%  
 
 
LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
Percentage of Loans
 
By Risk Grade
 
03/31/2014
 
03/31/2013
Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)
2.32%   2.86%
Risk Grade 2 (high quality)
19.32%   17.32%
Risk Grade 3 (good quality)
48.80%   48.29%
Risk Grade 4 (management attention)
18.55%   19.00%
Risk Grade 5 (watch)
5.72%   5.41%
Risk Grade 6 (substandard)
5.00%   6.80%
Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)
0.00%   0.00%
Risk Grade 8 (loss)
0.00%   0.00%
       
At March 31, 2014, including non-accrual loans, there were six relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade (which totaled $15.9 million) and four relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade (which totaled $10.2 million).
(END)