Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K FOR JAN 26, 2015 - PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INCform8kforjan262015.htm
EXHIBIT (99)(a)
       
       
NEWS RELEASE
   
       
   
January 26, 2015
 
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 FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL EARNINGS RESULTS
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEBK), the parent company of Peoples Bank, reported fourth quarter and annual earnings results with highlights as follows:

Fourth quarter highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $1.8 million or $0.32 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.4 million or $0.25 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 $1.8 million or $0.32 basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.2 million or $0.21 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Core earnings*, as calculated in the Core Earnings Analysis table below, were $2.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
·  
Average outstanding principal balance of loans increased $31.5 million to $648.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to $616.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Year to date highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $9.4 million or $1.67 basic net earnings per share and $1.66 diluted net earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $6.7 million or $1.19 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the year ended December 31, 2013.
·  
Net earnings available to common shareholders were $9.4 million or $1.67 basic net earnings per common share and $1.66 diluted net earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $6.0 million or $1.08 basic net earnings per common share and $1.07 diluted net earnings per common share, for the year ended December 31, 2013.
·  
Core earnings*, as calculated in the Core Earnings Analysis table below, were $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
·  
Non-performing assets declined to $12.7 million or 1.2% of total assets at December 31, 2014, compared to $16.4 million or 1.6% of total assets at December 31, 2013.
·  
Total loans increased $30.9 million to $651.9 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $621.0 million at December 31, 2013.
·  
Core deposits were $708.1 million, or 86.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2014, compared to $683.9 million, or 85.6% of total deposits at December 31, 2013.
 
Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in fourth 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 $8.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $8.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.  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 combined with 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 $9.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013.  The provision for loan losses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was a credit of $672,000, as compared to an expense of $419,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $3.1 million reduction in non-accrual loans from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014.
 
 
 
5

 
 
Non-interest income was $3.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  This increase is primarily attributable to a $187,000 increase in miscellaneous non-interest income resulting primarily from a $76,000 increase in SBIC income, a $60,000 reduction in losses and write-downs on other real estate owned properties and a $54,000 increase in debit card income for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
Non-interest expense was $10.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  This increase in non-interest expense included: (1) a $510,000 increase in salaries and benefits expense resulting primarily from an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees, salary increases and separation expense for selected employees taking early retirement, (2) a $224,000 increase in occupancy expense primarily due to a $106,000 increase in building maintenance expense and a $149,000 increase in depreciation expense and (3) a $973,000 increase in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses primarily due to a $493,000 increase in amortization expense associated with North Carolina income tax credits and a $339,000 increase in prepayment penalties on FHLB borrowings during the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013.
 
Year-to-date net earnings as of December 31, 2014 were $9.4 million, or $1.67 basic net earnings per share and $1.66 diluted net earnings per share, as compared to $6.7 million, or $1.19 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the year ended December 31, 2013.  After adjusting for dividends and accretion on preferred stock, net earnings available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $9.4 million, or $1.67 basic net earnings per common share and $1.66 diluted net earnings per common share, as compared to $6.0 million, or $1.08 basic net earnings per common share and $1.07 diluted net earnings per common share, for the year ended December 31, 2013.  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 December 31, 2014 increased 8.9% to $34.1 million compared to $31.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  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 combined with 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 21.2% to $34.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 was a credit of $699,000, as compared to an expense of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $1.8 million decrease in net charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 and a $3.1 million reduction in non-accrual loans from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014.
 
Non-interest income was $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a $348,000 decrease in gains on the sale of securities, a $424,000 decrease in mortgage banking income and a $59,000 decrease in miscellaneous non-interest income, which were partially offset by a $303,000 increase in service charges and fees for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
Non-interest expense was $35.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $32.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  This increase in non-interest expense included: (1) a $395,000 increase in salaries and benefits expense resulting primarily from an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees, salary increases and an increase in incentive expense, (2) a $712,000 increase in occupancy expense primarily due to a $205,000 increase in building maintenance expense and a $529,000 increase in depreciation expense and (3) a $1.4 million increase in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses primarily due to a $710,000 increase in amortization expense associated with North Carolina income tax credits and a $339,000 increase in prepayment penalties on FHLB borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.

 
 
6

 
 
Total assets were $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.  Available for sale securities were $281.1 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $297.9 million as of December 31, 2013.  Total loans were $651.9 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $621.0 million as of December 31, 2013.
 
Non-performing assets declined to $12.7 million or 1.2% of total assets at December 31, 2014, compared to $16.4 million or 1.6% of total assets at December 31, 2013.  The decline in non-performing assets is due to a $3.1 million decrease in non-accrual loans and a $882,000 decrease in loans 90 days past due and still accruing, which were partially offset by a $337,000 increase in other real estate owned.  Non-performing loans include $3.9 million in acquisition, development and construction (“AD&C”) loans, $6.6 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $251,000 in other loans at December 31, 2014, as compared to $6.5 million in AD&C loans, $7.9 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $277,000 in other loans at December 31, 2013.  The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 was $11.1 million or 1.7% of total loans, compared to $13.5 million or 2.2% of total loans at December 31, 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 $814.7 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $799.4 million at December 31, 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 $24.2 million to $708.1 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $683.9 million at December 31, 2013.  Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $106.5 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $115.3 million at December 31, 2013.  This decrease is attributable to a $4.5 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 $48.4 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $45.4 million at December 31, 2013.
 
Shareholders’ equity was $98.7 million, or 9.5% of total assets, as of December 31, 2014, compared to $83.7 million, or 8.1% of total assets, as of December 31, 2013.  This increase is primarily due to an increase in retained earnings and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from an increase in the unrealized gain on investment securities.   In September 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program, whereby up to $2 million was allocated to repurchase the Company's common stock.  The Company has repurchased $82,000, or 4,537 shares, of its common stock under this program as of December 31, 2014.
 
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 Durham Counties.  The Company’s common stock is publicly traded and is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PEBK.”
 
* See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Core Earnings Analysis table below.

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
       
December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
       
(Dollars in thousands)
       
         
         
         
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Audited)
 
ASSETS:
       
Cash and due from banks
$ 51,213   $ 49,902  
Interest-bearing deposits
  17,885     26,871  
Cash and cash equivalents
  69,098     76,773  
             
Investment securities available for sale
  281,099     297,890  
Other investments
  4,031     4,990  
Total securities
  285,130     302,880  
             
Mortgage loans held for sale
  1,375     497  
             
Loans
  651,891     620,960  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
  (11,082 )   (13,501 )
Net loans
  640,809     607,459  
             
Premises and equipment, net
  17,000     16,358  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  14,125     13,706  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
  12,957     17,011  
Total assets
$ 1,040,494   $ 1,034,684  
             
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
           
Deposits:
           
Noninterest-bearing demand
$ 210,758   $ 195,265  
NOW, MMDA & savings
  407,504     386,893  
Time, $100,000 or more
  106,453     115,268  
Other time
  89,985     101,935  
Total deposits
  814,700     799,361  
             
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  48,430     45,396  
FHLB borrowings
  50,000     65,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619     20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
  8,080     20,589  
Total liabilities
  941,829     950,965  
             
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
  -        -     
Common stock, no par value; authorized
           
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
           
5,612,588 shares at 12/31/14 and
           
5,613,495 shares at 12/31/13
  48,088     48,133  
Retained earnings
  45,124     36,758  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  5,453     (1,172 )
Total shareholders' equity
  98,665     83,719  
             
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 1,040,494   $ 1,034,684  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
         
For the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
       
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
         
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Years ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
INTEREST INCOME:
               
Interest and fees on loans
$ 7,749   $ 7,523   $ 30,305   $ 30,194  
Interest on due from banks
  23     23     65     85  
Interest on investment securities:
        -                
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
  697     669     2,995     1,639  
State and political subdivisions
  1,163     1,194     4,677     4,427  
Other
  85     86     378     351  
Total interest income
  9,717     9,495     38,420     36,696  
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  124     154     499     732  
Time deposits
  264     365     1,188     1,650  
FHLB borrowings
  516     604     2,166     2,518  
Junior subordinated debentures
  98     99     389     398  
Other
  12     12     45     55  
Total interest expense
  1,014     1,234     4,287     5,353  
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
  8,703     8,261     34,133     31,343  
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  (672 )   419     (699 )   2,584  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
                       
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  9,375     7,842     34,832     28,759  
                         
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Service charges
  1,307     1,233     4,961     4,566  
Other service charges and fees
  188     272     1,080     1,172  
Gain on sale of securities
  -     -       266     614  
Mortgage banking income
  256     228     804     1,228  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  180     183     701     661  
Miscellaneous
  1,075     888     4,352     4,411  
Total non-interest income
  3,006     2,804     12,164     12,652  
                         
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
  4,747     4,237     17,530     16,851  
Occupancy
  1,775     1,551     6,251     5,539  
Other
  4,419     3,446     11,890     10,451  
Total non-interest expense
  10,941     9,234     35,671     32,841  
                         
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
  1,440     1,412     11,325     8,570  
INCOME TAXES
  (376 )   31     1,937     1,879  
                         
NET EARNINGS
  1,816     1,381     9,388     6,691  
                         
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
  -       186     -       656  
                         
NET EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO
                       
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
$ 1,816   $ 1,195   $ 9,388   $ 6,035  
                         
PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS
                       
Basic net earnings
$ 0.32   $ 0.21   $ 1.67   $ 1.08  
Diluted net earnings
$ 0.32   $ 0.21   $ 1.66   $ 1.07  
Cash dividends
$ 0.06   $ 0.03   $ 0.18   $ 0.12  
Book value
$ 17.58   $ 14.91   $ 17.58   $ 14.91  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
       
For the three months and years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
       
(Dollars in thousands)
         
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Years ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
               
Available for sale securities
$ 272,768   $ 300,433   $ 287,371   $ 293,770  
Loans
  648,355     616,920     631,025     614,532  
Earning assets
  962,515     960,687     949,537     950,451  
Assets
  1,054,504     1,040,563     1,036,486     1,023,609  
Deposits
  824,706     800,212     808,399     787,640  
Shareholders' equity
  97,334     97,271     95,759     100,275  
                         
SELECTED KEY DATA:
                       
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
  3.83%     3.66%     3.84%     3.53%  
Return on average assets
  0.68%     0.53%     0.91%     0.65%  
Return on average shareholders' equity
  7.40%     5.63%     9.80%     6.67%  
Shareholders' equity to total assets (period end)
  9.48%     8.09%     9.48%     8.09%  
                         
CORE EARNINGS ANALYSIS:
                       
Income Before Taxes (GAAP)
  1,440     1,412     11,325     8,570  
Adjustments:
                       
Loss on sale and write-down of  other real estate
  238     298     622     581  
Gain on sale of securities
  -       -       (266 )   (614 )
NC tax credit amortization expense
  653     160     870     160  
Prepayment penalties on FHLB borrowings
  869     530     869     530  
Provision for loan losses
  (672     419     (699 )   2,584  
Core earnings before provision for loan losses and income taxes
  2,528     2,819     12,721     11,811  
Provision for loan losses
  (672     419     (699 )   2,584  
Core earnings before taxes
  3,200     2,400     13,420     9,227  
Income tax calculation (1)
  496     392     3,193     2,025  
Core earnings
  2,704     2,008     10,227     7,202  
(1) Income tax calculation reflects the following estimated effective tax rates excluding NC tax credits:
             
Effective tax rates
  15.51%     16.35%     23.79%     21.95%  
* This table includes non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are useful for evaluating our financial condition and performance over periods of time, as well as in managing and evaluating our business and in discussions about our performance. We also believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide users of our financial information with a meaningful measure for assessing our financial condition as well as comparison to financial results for prior periods. These results should not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that other companies may use.
 
                         
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
                       
Balance, beginning of period
$ 12,344   $ 13,854   $ 13,501   $ 14,423  
Provision for loan losses
  (672     419     (699 )   2,584  
Charge-offs
  (718     (888 )   (2,637 )   (4,372 )
Recoveries
  128     116     917     866  
Balance, end of period
$ 11,082   $ 13,501   $ 11,082   $ 13,501  
                         
ASSET QUALITY:
                       
Non-accrual loans
            $ 10,729   $ 13,836  
90 days past due and still accruing
              -       882  
Other real estate owned
              2,016     1,679  
Total non-performing assets
            $ 12,745   $ 16,397  
Non-performing assets to total assets
              1.22%     1.58%  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets
              86.95%     82.34%  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
              1.70%     2.17%  
 
LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
Percentage of Loans
 
By Risk Grade
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2013
Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)
2.18%
 
2.40%
Risk Grade 2 (high quality)
22.30%
 
18.82%
Risk Grade 3 (good quality)
50.76%
 
49.49%
Risk Grade 4 (management attention)
16.54%
 
18.69%
Risk Grade 5 (watch)
4.62%
 
5.05%
Risk Grade 6 (substandard)
3.30%
 
5.25%
Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)
0.00%
 
0.00%
Risk Grade 8 (loss)
0.00%
 
0.00%
       
At December 31, 2014, including non-accrual loans, there were six relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade (which totaled $14.2 million) and two relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade (which totaled $4.7 million). There was one relationship with loans in both the Watch and Substandard risk grades, which totaled $1.3 million for loans in both risk grades combined.
 
(END)