Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K FOR OCT 20, 2014 - PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INCform8kforoct202014.htm
EXHIBIT (99)(a)
       
       
NEWS RELEASE
       
   
October 20, 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 THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS RESULTS
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEBK), the parent company of Peoples Bank, reported third quarter and year to date earnings results with highlights as follows:

Third quarter highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $2.4 million or $0.43 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $1.9 million or $0.34 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 $2.4 million or $0.43 basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $1.8 million or $0.31 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Total loans increased $17.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to a $9.0 million increase during the same period one year ago.

Year to date highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $7.6 million or $1.35 basic net earnings per share and $1.34 diluted net earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $5.3 million or $0.95 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 $7.6 million or $1.35 basic net earnings per common share and $1.34 diluted net earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $4.8 million or $0.86 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Earnings before securities gains and income taxes were $9.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $6.5 million for the same period one year ago.
·  
Non-performing assets declined to $12.6 million or 1.2% of total assets at September 30, 2014, compared to $19.1 million or 1.8% of total assets at September 30, 2013.
·  
Total loans increased $33.5 million to $650.6 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $617.1 million at September 30, 2013.
·  
Core deposits were $707.2 million, or 86.6% of total deposits at September 30, 2014, compared to $678.0 million, or 84.9% of total deposits at September 30, 2013.
 
Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in third quarter earnings to an increase in net interest income, a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in non-interest income, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense.
 
Net interest income was $8.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $7.9 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest income resulting from an increase in the yield on investment securities and an increase in the average outstanding principal balance of loans and was offset by a decrease in interest expense resulting primarily from a reduction in the cost of funds.  Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased to $8.3 million during the third quarter of 2014, compared to $7.6 million for the same period one year ago.  The provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $256,000, as compared to $337,000 for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $3.5 million reduction in non-accrual loans from September 30, 2013 to September 30, 2014.
 
 
5

 
 
Non-interest income was $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $3.1 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase is primarily attributable to a $240,000 increase in gains on the sale of securities, which was partially offset by a $168,000 decrease in miscellaneous non-interest income resulting primarily from a $110,000 reduction in vendor commissions for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest expense was $8.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $7.9 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase in non-interest expense included: (1) a $118,000 increase in salaries and benefits expense primarily due to an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees , (2) a $132,000 increase in occupancy expense primarily due to a $73,000 increase in furniture and equipment depreciation expense and (3) a $402,000 increase in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses primarily due to a $218,000 amortization expense associated with North Carolina income tax credits purchased during the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Year-to-date net earnings as of September 30, 2014 were $7.6 million, or $1.35 basic net earnings per share and $1.34 diluted net earnings per share, as compared to $5.3 million, or $0.95 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the same period one year ago.  After adjusting for dividends and accretion on preferred stock, net earnings available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $7.6 million, or $1.35 basic net earnings per common share and $1.34 diluted net earnings per common share, as compared to $4.8 million, or $0.86 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.  The increase in year-to-date earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income and a decrease in the provision for loan losses, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense and a decrease in non-interest income, as discussed below.
 
Year-to-date net interest income as of September 30, 2014 increased 10.2% to $25.4 million compared to $23.1 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest income resulting from an increase in the yield on investment securities and an increase in the average outstanding principal balance of loans and was offset by a decrease in interest expense resulting primarily from a reduction in the cost of funds.  Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased 21.7% to $25.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $20.9 million for the same period one year ago.  The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a credit of $27,000, as compared to an expense of $2.2 million for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $1.6 million decrease in net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period one year ago and a $3.5 million reduction in non-accrual loans from September 30, 2013 to September 30, 2014.
 
Non-interest income was $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $9.8 million for the same period one year ago.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a $348,000 decrease in gains on the sale of securities, a $452,000 decrease in mortgage banking income and a $246,000 decrease in miscellaneous non-interest income, which were partially offset by a $314,000 increase in service charges and fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest expense was $24.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $23.6 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase in non-interest expense included: (1) a $170,000 increase in salaries and benefits expense primarily due to an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees , (2) a $488,000 increase in occupancy expense primarily due to a $329,000 increase in furniture and equipment depreciation expense and (3) a $467,000 increase in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses primarily due to a $218,000 amortization expense associated with North Carolina income tax credits purchased, a $67,000 increase in consulting fees and a $61,000 increase in advertising expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
 
6

 
 
Total assets were $1.1 billion as of September 30, 2014, compared to $1.0 billion as of September 30, 2013.  Available for sale securities were $279.8 million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $301.8 million as of September 30, 2013.  Total loans were $650.6 million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $617.1 million as of September 30, 2013.
 
Non-performing assets declined to $12.6 million or 1.2% of total assets at September 30, 2014, compared to $19.1 million or 1.8% of total assets at September 30, 2013.  The decline in non-performing assets is due to a $3.5 million decrease in non-accrual loans, a $2.1 million decrease in loans 90 days past due and still accruing and a $911,000 decrease in other real estate owned.  Non-performing loans include $3.9 million in acquisition, development and construction (“AD&C”) loans, $6.4 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $483,000 in other loans at September 30, 2014, as compared to $7.0 million in AD&C loans, $9.2 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $153,000 in other loans at September 30, 2013.  The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2014 was $12.3 million or 1.9% of total loans, compared to $13.9 million or 2.3% of total loans at September 30, 2013.  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 $816.8 million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $798.3 million at September 30, 2013.  Core deposits, which include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposit of denominations less than $100,000, increased $29.2 million to $707.2 million at September 30, 2014, as compared to $678.0 million at September 30, 2013.  Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $109.5 million at September 30, 2014, as compared to $120.2 million at September 30, 2013.  This decrease is attributable to a $5.1 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 $47.0 million at September 30, 2014, as compared to $48.2 million at September 30, 2013.
 
Shareholders’ equity was $96.2 million, or 9.1% of total assets, as of September 30, 2014, compared to $95.7 million, or 9.2% of total assets, as of September 30, 2013.  The Company’s repurchase and redemption of its Series A preferred stock was offset by an increase in retained earnings and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from an increase in the unrealized gain on investment securities.
 
Peoples Bank operates 21 banking offices entirely in North Carolina, with offices in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union, Iredell and Wake Counties.  The Bank also operates loan production offices in Lincoln 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 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.
 

 
7

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     
September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013
     
(Dollars in thousands)
     
             
             
             
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Audited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS:
           
Cash and due from banks
$ 34,887   $ 49,902   $ 53,977  
Interest-bearing deposits
  50,636     26,871     26,973  
Cash and cash equivalents
  85,523     76,773     80,950  
                   
Investment securities available for sale
  279,787     297,890     301,788  
Other investments
  4,706     4,990     5,215  
Total securities
  284,493     302,880     307,003  
                   
Mortgage loans held for sale
  887     497     2,201  
                   
Loans
  650,550     620,960     617,061  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
  (12,343 )   (13,501 )   (13,854 )
Net loans
  638,207     607,459     603,207  
                   
Premises and equipment, net
  17,482     16,358     16,543  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  14,020     13,706     13,597  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
  13,323     17,011     19,240  
Total assets
$ 1,053,935   $ 1,034,684   $ 1,042,741  
                   
                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                 
Deposits:
                 
Noninterest-bearing demand
$ 211,832   $ 195,265   $ 188,860  
NOW, MMDA & savings
  403,240     386,893     384,429  
Time, $100,000 or more
  109,489     115,268     120,153  
Other time
  92,234     101,935     104,849  
Total deposits
  816,795     799,361     798,291  
                   
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  47,020     45,396     48,174  
FHLB borrowings
  65,000     65,000     70,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619     20,619     20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
  8,294     20,589     9,985  
Total liabilities
  957,728     950,965     947,069  
                   
Shareholders' equity:
                 
Series A preferred stock, $1,000 stated value; authorized
                 
5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
12,524 shares at 9/30/13
  -        -        12,524  
Common stock, no par value; authorized
                 
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
5,617,125 shares at 9/30/14 and
                 
5,613,495 shares at 12/31/13
  48,170     48,133     48,133  
Retained earnings
  43,648     36,758     35,810  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  4,389     (1,172 )   (795 )
Total shareholders' equity
  96,207     83,719     95,672  
                   
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 1,053,935   $ 1,034,684   $ 1,042,741  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
INTEREST INCOME:
               
Interest and fees on loans
$ 7,664   $ 7,592   $ 22,556   $ 22,671  
Interest on due from banks
  18     22     42     62  
Interest on investment securities:
                       
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
  646     307     2,298     970  
State and political subdivisions
  1,168     1,179     3,514     3,233  
Other
  87     88     294     264  
Total interest income
  9,583     9,188     28,704     27,200  
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  124     160     375     578  
Time deposits
  287     396     924     1,285  
FHLB borrowings
  556     618     1,650     1,914  
Junior subordinated debentures
  98     100     291     299  
Other
  11     11     33     43  
Total interest expense
  1,076     1,285     3,273     4,119  
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
  8,507     7,903     25,431     23,081  
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  256     337     (27 )   2,164  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
                       
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  8,251     7,566     25,458     20,917  
                         
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Service charges
  1,303     1,189     3,655     3,333  
Other service charges and fees
  213     258     892     900  
Gain on sale of securities
  240     -     266     614  
Mortgage banking income
  256     301     548     1,000  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  161     161     521     478  
Miscellaneous
  1,034     1,202     3,276     3,522  
Total non-interest income
  3,207     3,111     9,158     9,847  
                         
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
  4,301     4,183     12,784     12,614  
Occupancy
  1,489     1,357     4,476     3,988  
Other
  2,751     2,349     7,471     7,004  
Total non-interest expense
  8,541     7,889     24,731     23,606  
                         
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
  2,917     2,788     9,885     7,158  
INCOME TAXES
  475     870     2,313     1,848  
                         
NET EARNINGS
  2,442     1,918     7,572     5,310  
                         
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
  -        156     -        470  
                         
NET EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO
                       
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
$ 2,442   $ 1,762   $ 7,572   $ 4,840  
                         
PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS
                       
Basic net earnings
$ 0.43   $ 0.31   $ 1.35   $ 0.86  
Diluted net earnings
$ 0.43   $ 0.31   $ 1.34   $ 0.86  
Cash dividends
$ 0.04   $ 0.03   $ 0.12   $ 0.09  
Book value
$ 17.13   $ 14.81   $ 17.13   $ 14.81  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
               
Available for sale securities
$ 283,358   $ 296,936   $ 292,463   $ 291,524  
Loans
  638,192     612,716     625,185     613,727  
Earning assets
  954,899     951,128     945,334     947,001  
Assets
  1,046,679     1,028,123     1,030,414     1,017,895  
Deposits
  812,438     791,991     802,904     783,403  
Shareholders' equity
  96,020     94,902     94,530     99,906  
                         
                         
SELECTED KEY DATA:
                       
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
  3.78%     3.54%     3.85%     3.48%  
Return on average assets
  0.93%     0.74%     0.98%     0.70%  
Return on average shareholders' equity
  10.09%     8.02%     10.71%     7.11%  
Shareholders' equity to total assets (period end)
  9.13%     9.18%     9.13%     9.18%  
                         
                         
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
                       
Balance, beginning of period
$ 12,675   $ 14,029   $ 13,501   $ 14,423  
Provision for loan losses
  256     337     (27 )   2,164  
Charge-offs
  (749 )   (970 )   (1,920 )   (3,483 )
Recoveries
  161     458     789     750  
Balance, end of period
$ 12,343   $ 13,854   $ 12,343   $ 13,854  
                         
                         
ASSET QUALITY:
                       
Non-accrual loans
            $ 10,634   $ 14,144  
90 days past due and still accruing
              120     2,173  
Other real estate owned
              1,840     2,751  
Total non-performing assets
            $ 12,594   $ 19,068  
Non-performing assets to total assets
              1.19%     1.83%  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets
              98.01%     72.65%  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
              1.90%     2.25%  
 
 
LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
Percentage of Loans
 
By Risk Grade
 
9/30/2014
 
9/30/2013
Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)
2.15%
 
2.73%
Risk Grade 2 (high quality)
21.49%
 
18.54%
Risk Grade 3 (good quality)
51.65%
 
49.89%
Risk Grade 4 (management attention)
15.40%
 
18.17%
Risk Grade 5 (watch)
4.57%
 
5.22%
Risk Grade 6 (substandard)
4.43%
 
5.16%
Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)
0.00%
 
0.00%
Risk Grade 8 (loss)
0.00%
 
0.00%
       
At September 30, 2014, including non-accrual loans, there were five relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade (which totaled $11.5 million) and four relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade (which totaled $8.8 million).
(END)