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8-K - FORM 8-K - Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc.d861556d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

LOGO

MONARCH FINANCIAL REPORTS HIGHER INCOME, STRONG LOAN GROWTH, AND DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND

Chesapeake, VA, January 30, 2015 - Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNRK), the bank holding company for Monarch Bank, reported improved fourth quarter and annual financial performance. The Board of Directors also announced a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.08 per common share, payable on February 27, 2015, to shareholders of record on February 10, 2015.

Annual 2014 highlights are:

 

    Net income of $11,211,850, for Return on Equity of 10.95%

 

    Diluted earnings per share of $1.05

 

    Cash dividends of $0.31 paid per share, up 29% from 2013

 

    Loans held for investment grew $59.9 million, up 8.4%

 

    Non-performing assets at 0.28% of total assets

 

    Net Interest Margin was 4.25%

 

    $1.6 billion in mortgage loans closed, with 80% home purchases

Fourth quarter 2014 highlights are:

 

    Quarterly net income of $2,683,163, up 24%

 

    Return on equity of 10.03%

 

    Diluted earnings per share of $0.25

 

    Loans held for investment grew $58.9 million

 

    $446 million in mortgage loans closed with 69% home purchase

“We are pleased with our quarterly and annual financial performance, with very strong organic loan growth finally taking hold in the fourth quarter. Unlike many of our peers we have grown loans with our bankers, in our markets, and have not purchased loans to drive this growth. Mortgage production was in line with the previous year with our best year ever for purchase mortgage loan closings. We improved our performance in all three lines of business to include banking, mortgage, and wealth management,” stated Brad E. Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer. “Non-performing assets remained low, our margin improved due to asset mix and pricing discipline, and our capital grew stronger with our retention of earnings. The market has responded to our performance with price appreciation in our common stock that, when combined with the increase in our common stock dividends, produced a 14% total shareholder return for 2014.”


For 2014 net income was $11,211,850 compared to $11,091,007 for the same period in 2013, a 1% increase. The 2014 return on average equity (ROE) was 10.95%, and the return on average assets (ROA) was 1.13%. Annual diluted earnings per share were $1.05 compared to $1.08 in 2013, as our higher earnings were more than offset by the number of additional outstanding shares.

Net income was $2,683,163 for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $2,156,566 for the same period in 2013, a 24% increase. The quarterly annualized return on average equity (ROE) was 10.03%, and the annualized quarterly return on average assets (ROA) was 1.04 %, both metrics up from the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.25, up 25% from the previous year.

Total assets at December 31, 2014 were $1.07 billion, up 5% from the prior year. In 2014 loans held for investment grew 8% to $773 million and mortgage loans held for sale grew 48% to $148 million. The vast majority of the net loan growth occurred in the fourth quarter. Total deposits grew 3% to $919 million, with demand deposits growing $40 million or 15% for the year. Demand deposits now represent 33% of total deposits, an achievement driven by our dedicated cash management and banking office teams. While the current rate environment does not appropriately reward banks for a transaction-focused funding strategy, this strategy should deliver net interest margin protection when rates eventually rise.

“We are pleased to deliver over 8% quarterly and year over year loan growth. We are equally proud that we produced each and every loan and have not been tempted by participation loans or other loan purchase programs we see in the marketplace.” stated E. Neal Crawford Jr., President of Monarch Bank. “We continue to hire talented bankers and expect to continue expanding the banking team into 2015. Our Richmond and Peninsula expansion is driving quality loan growth and deposit growth while our cash management and private banking teams continue to focus on growing core deposits.”

Non-performing assets were 0.28% as of December 31, 2014 compared to 0.25% one year prior, and non-performing loans to loans held for investment were 0.37% compared to 0.31% one year prior. Non-performing assets were $3.0 million, comprised of $175 thousand 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest, $2.7 million in non-accrual loans and $144,000 in one parcel of other real estate owned that is already under contract for sale. The allowance for loan losses represents 1.16% of total loans held for investment and 311% of non-performing loans.

Average equity to average assets rose to 10.39% at year-end 2014, an increase from 9.73% one year prior. Cash dividends of $0.08 per share were paid in the fourth quarter of 2014, and a total of $0.31 per share was paid during the year, an increase of 29% over 2013. Total risk-based capital to risk weighted assets at Monarch Bank equaled 13.79%, significantly higher than the required level to meet the

 

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highest rating of “Well Capitalized” by federal banking regulators. We also already meet the new Basel III capital standards for a well-capitalized bank. Monarch was again awarded the highest 5-Star “Superior” rating by Bauer Financial, an independent third-party bank rating agency that rates banks on safety and soundness.

Net interest income, our number one driver of profitability, was flat for the year driven by the large volume of mortgage loans held for sale in the first six months of 2013 compared to the balances carried in 2014. These balances are driven by mortgage loan closings. Excluding the mortgage loans held for sale volatility, the net interest income from core banking operations increased 5.9% or $1.9 million. Our net interest margin for 2014 was 4.25%, up from 4.10% due to asset mix, loan and deposit pricing, mortgage loans held for sale pricing, fee income capture, and the additional income from loans previously on non-accrual status. Loan growth that occurred late in the year had minimal impact on net interest income even though it should contribute to net interest income on a going forward basis.

Non-interest income decreased $2.8 million in 2014 over the previous year driven by lower mortgage revenues, which was more than offset by a reduction of $3.6 million in commissions and incentives. Net overhead, or the difference between non-interest income and non-interest expenses, increased only $372 thousand or 1.7% due to increased spending for facilities, technology, technology risk management, compliance and marketing. Salaries and benefits were held flat for the year, a significant accomplishment with our increased benefits costs. Investment revenues related to Monarch Bank Private Wealth totaled $1.6 million for the year compared to $1.1 million the previous year, a noteworthy increase. The Company is recognized by Raymond James Financial Services as a top performing bank investment program, with $235 million in assets under management accumulated since the formation of Monarch Bank Private Wealth in the third quarter of 2012.

Mortgage revenue remains the number one driver of non-interest income. $446 million in mortgage loans were closed during the fourth quarter of 2014 (69% purchase) compared to $350 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 (80% purchase). Monarch closed $1.6 billion in mortgage loans during 2014 compared to $2.0 billion in 2012. While volumes year over year declined approximately 20%, revenues from mortgage lending declined only 5% due to a strong focus on loan product mix, secondary market pricing, and fee income.

“Our focus on the purchase market paid off in 2014 when we had the best year of purchase mortgage business in our history. We closed $1.3 billion in home purchase loans and $0.3 billion in refinances, and altogether closed over 6,000 loans during the year.” stated William T. Morrison, CEO of Monarch Mortgage. “The year 2015 is beginning with an attractive rate environment and a much stronger pipeline of activity, and we expect it to be a great year for our mortgage operations.”

 

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Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. is the one-bank holding company for Monarch Bank. Monarch Bank is a community bank with ten banking offices in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Williamsburg, Virginia. Monarch Bank also has loan production offices in Newport News and Richmond, Virginia. OBX Bank, a division of Monarch Bank, operates offices in Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, North Carolina. Monarch Mortgage and our affiliated mortgage companies have over thirty offices with locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and South Carolina. Our subsidiaries/ divisions include Monarch Bank, OBX Bank, Monarch Mortgage (secondary mortgage origination), OBX Bank Mortgage (secondary mortgage origination), Coastal Home Mortgage, LLC (secondary mortgage origination), Monarch Bank Private Wealth (investment, trust, planning and private banking), Monarch Investments (investment and insurance solutions), Real Estate Security Agency, LLC (title agency) and Monarch Capital, LLC (commercial mortgage brokerage). The shares of common stock of Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “MNRK”.

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of federal securities laws that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Company and are factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: changes in interest rates; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; significant changes in the economic scenario: significant changes in regulatory requirements; and significant changes in securities markets. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

 

Contact: Brad E. Schwartz – (757) 389-5111, www.monarchbank.com

##

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(In thousands)

Unaudited

 

 

     December 31,
2014
    September 30,
2014
    June 30,
2014
    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

ASSETS:

          

Cash and due from banks

   $ 14,503      $ 21,083      $ 19,661      $ 18,510      $ 18,971   

Interest bearing bank balances

     49,761        58,207        37,166        37,033        31,955   

Federal funds sold

     1,135        3,938        29,761        84,232        53,985   

Investment securities, at fair value

     23,725        25,137        23,773        23,197        48,822   

Mortgage loans held for sale

     147,690        138,590        156,584        92,839        99,718   

Loans held for investment, net of unearned income

     772,590        713,667        700,159        715,088        712,671   

Less: allowance for loan losses

     (8,949     (8,977     (9,070     (9,213     (9,061
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loans

     763,641        704,690        691,089        705,875        703,610   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bank premises and equipment, net

     30,247        30,368        31,407        29,902        28,882   

Restricted equity securities, at cost

     3,633        3,179        3,169        3,156        3,683   

Bank owned life insurance

     9,687        9,587        7,526        7,467        7,409   

Goodwill

     775        775        775        775        775   

Intangible assets, net

     —          —          15        60        104   

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     21,940        23,688        22,973        19,673        18,786   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,066,737      $ 1,019,242      $ 1,023,899      $ 1,022,719      $ 1,016,700   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

          

Demand deposits—non-interest bearing

   $ 235,301      $ 252,286      $ 240,348      $ 221,357      $ 206,891   

Demand deposits—interest bearing

     66,682        53,093        51,563        55,949        55,528   

Money market deposits

     369,221        365,041        377,096        367,590        374,462   

Savings deposits

     20,003        25,211        24,539        24,327        22,137   

Time deposits

     228,207        189,142        197,747        224,947        234,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     919,414        884,773        891,293        894,170        893,118   

FHLB borrowings

     1,075        1,100        1,125        1,150        1,175   

Federal funds

     10,000        —          —          —          —     

Trust preferred subordinated debt

     10,000        10,000        10,000        10,000        10,000   

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

     18,710        18,145        18,650        17,422        14,661   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     959,199        914,018        921,068        922,742        918,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

          

Common stock

     51,864        51,735        51,624        51,584        51,432   

Capital in excess of par value

     8,336        7,966        7,675        7,357        7,069   

Retained earnings

     47,354        45,523        43,566        41,232        39,437   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (102     (135     (159     (314     (419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. stockholders’ equity

     107,452        105,089        102,706        99,859        97,519   

Noncontrolling interest

     86        135        125        118        227   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     107,538        105,224        102,831        99,977        97,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,066,737      $ 1,019,242      $ 1,023,899      $ 1,022,719      $ 1,016,700   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding at period end

     10,652,475        10,646,873        10,624,668        10,619,444        10,502,323   

Nonvested shares of common stock included in commons shares outstanding

     279,750        299,910        299,910        302,710        215,960   

Book value per common share at period end (1)

   $ 10.10      $ 9.87      $ 9.67      $ 9.40      $ 9.29   

Tangible book value per common share at period end (2)

   $ 10.02      $ 9.80      $ 9.59      $ 9.33      $ 9.20   

Closing market price

   $ 13.75      $ 12.56      $ 11.72      $ 12.26      $ 12.31   

Total risk based capital - Consolidated company

     13.79     14.16     14.29     14.27     13.91

Total risk based capital - Bank

     13.81     14.18     14.31     14.30     13.95

 

(1) Book value per common share is defined as stockholders’ equity divided by common shares outstanding.
(2) Tangible book value per common share is defined as stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangibles divided by commons shares outstanding

 

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Consolidated Statements of Income

Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Unaudited

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,

   

Year Ended

December 31,

 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

INTEREST INCOME:

        

Interest on federal funds sold

   $ 4,980      $ 42,283      $ 84,850      $ 115,963   

Interest on other bank accounts

     92,156        28,626        244,702        58,027   

Dividends on equity securities

     33,545        67,540        106,955        277,700   

Interest on investment securities

     100,957        60,311        359,604        230,496   

Interest on mortgage loans held for sale

     1,376,920        1,090,070        4,866,818        7,021,186   

Interest and fees on loans held for investment

     9,752,472        9,388,407        37,327,978        36,645,065   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest income

     11,361,030        10,677,237        42,990,907        44,348,437   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE:

        

Interest on deposits

     722,537        905,970        3,185,965        3,936,203   

Interest on trust preferred subordinated debt

     46,337        122,850        416,233        491,910   

Interest on other borrowings

     16,615        15,002        58,966        358,345   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     785,489        1,043,822        3,661,164        4,786,458   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

     10,575,541        9,633,415        39,329,743        39,561,979   

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     10,575,541        9,633,415        39,329,743        39,561,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST INCOME:

        

Mortgage banking income

     16,210,774        13,276,836        62,440,013        65,672,402   

Service charges and fees

     489,974        502,373        2,058,262        1,941,926   

Title income

     216,895        124,774        669,785        789,253   

Investment and insurance income

     382,774        336,002        1,592,398        1,053,429   

Other income

     72,366        111,924        318,783        425,261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest income

     17,372,783        14,351,909        67,079,241        69,882,271   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     8,798,996        8,772,157        34,134,998        34,112,834   

Commissions and incentives

     6,926,507        5,248,131        24,754,633        28,344,347   

Occupancy and equipment

     2,412,086        2,220,634        9,548,543        8,449,912   

Loan expense

     1,676,134        1,526,317        6,652,007        7,891,835   

Marketing expense

     990,383        807,717        3,111,535        2,873,259   

Data processing

     715,057        459,681        2,272,785        1,696,535   

Telephone

     296,396        314,984        1,226,389        1,184,894   

Other expenses

     1,789,789        1,212,731        6,778,966        6,357,202   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-interest expense

     23,605,348        20,562,352        88,479,856        90,910,818   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE TAXES

     4,342,976        3,422,972        17,929,128        18,533,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax provision

     (1,616,093     (1,179,017     (6,490,273     (6,386,040
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

     2,726,883        2,243,955        11,438,855        12,147,392   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (43,720     (87,389     (227,005     (1,056,385
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MONARCH FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.

   $ 2,683,163      $ 2,156,566      $ 11,211,850      $ 11,091,007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:

        

Basic

   $ 0.25      $ 0.21      $ 1.06      $ 1.09   

Diluted

   $ 0.25      $ 0.20      $ 1.05      $ 1.08   

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

     10,648,184        10,486,056        10,619,443        10,167,156   

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

     10,689,219        10,535,313        10,658,600        10,299,471   

Return on average assets

     1.04     0.86     1.13     1.07

Return on average stockholders’ equity

     10.03     8.88     10.95     11.97

 

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Financial Highlights

Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

     For the Quarter Ended  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)    December 31,
2014
    September 30,
2014
    June 30,
2014
    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

EARNINGS

          

Interest income

   $ 11,361      $ 10,639      $ 10,557      $ 10,434      $ 10,677   

Interest expense

     (786     (928     (977     (971     (1,044
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     10,575        9,711        9,580        9,463        9,633   

Provision for loan losses

     —          —          —          —          —     

Noninterest income - mortgage banking income

     16,211        16,658        17,369        12,202        13,277   

Noninterest income - other

     1,162        1,241        1,130        1,106        1,075   

Noninterest expense

     (23,605     (23,121     (23,007     (18,747     (20,562
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax net income

     4,343        4,489        5,072        4,024        3,423   

Minority interest in net income

     (44     (46     (121     (16     (87

Income taxes

     (1,616     (1,635     (1,767     (1,471     (1,179
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,683      $ 2,808      $ 3,184      $ 2,537      $ 2,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

PER COMMON SHARE

          

Earnings per share - basic

   $ 0.25      $ 0.26      $ 0.30      $ 0.24      $ 0.21   

Earnings per share - diluted

     0.25        0.26        0.30        0.24        0.20   

Common stock - per share dividends

     0.08        0.08        0.08        0.07        0.07   

Average Basic Shares Outstanding

     10,648,184        10,635,275        10,620,869        10,600,766        10,486,056   

Average Diluted Shares Outstanding

     10,689,219        10,670,507        10,660,217        10,641,782        10,535,313   

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

          

Beginning balance

   $ 8,977      $ 9,070      $ 9,213      $ 9,061      $ 11,228   

Provision for loan losses

     —          —          —          —          —     

Charge-offs

     (174     (181     (184     (12     (2,252

Recoveries

     146        88        41        164        85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (28     (93     (143     152        (2,167
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 8,949      $ 8,977      $ 9,070      $ 9,213      $ 9,061   

COMPOSITION OF RISK ASSETS

          

Nonperforming loans:

          

90 days past due

   $ 175      $ 243      $ 499      $ 759      $ 472   

Nonaccrual loans

     2,705        2,180        3,028        1,718        1,740   

OREO

     144        767        144        302        302   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonperforming assets

     3,024        3,190        3,671        2,779        2,514   

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

          

Nonperforming assets to total assets

     0.28     0.31     0.36     0.27     0.25

Nonperforming loans to total loans

     0.37        0.34        0.50        0.35        0.31   

Allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment

     1.16        1.26        1.30        1.29        1.27   

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

     310.73        370.49        257.16        371.94        409.63   

Annualized net charge-offs to average loans held for investment

     0.02        0.05        0.08        –0.09        1.25   

FINANCIAL RATIOS

          

Return on average assets

     1.04     1.11     1.29     1.06     0.86

Return on average stockholders’ equity

     10.03        10.72        12.63        10.46        8.88   

Net interest margin (FTE)

     4.42        4.18        4.18        4.25        4.13   

Non-interest revenue/Total revenue

     60.5        62.7        63.7        56.1        57.3   

Efficiency - Consolidated

     84.5        83.7        81.8        82.1        85.5   

Efficiency - Bank only

     61.2        61.7        63.9        59.9        60.4   

Average equity to average assets

     10.39        10.40        10.18        10.13        9.73   

PERIOD END BALANCES (Amounts in thousands)

          

Total mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 147,690      $ 138,590      $ 156,584      $ 92,839      $ 99,718   

Total loans held for investment

     772,590        713,667        700,159        715,088        712,671   

Interest-earning assets

     1,003,332        945,697        949,872        956,160        952,981   

Assets

     1,066,737        1,019,242        1,023,899        1,022,719        1,016,700   

Total deposits

     919,414        884,773        891,293        894,170        893,118   

Other borrowings

     21,075        11,100        11,125        11,150        11,175   

Stockholders’ equity

     107,451        105,089        102,706        99,859        97,519   

AVERAGE BALANCES (Amounts in thousands)

          

Total mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 131,471      $ 138,382      $ 116,851      $ 70,856      $ 104,104   

Total loans held for investment

     725,093        701,137        698,851        704,917        695,074   

Interest-earning assets

     958,904        930,420        927,552        910,929        935,059   

Assets

     1,021,591        999,358        993,003        970,815        990,734   

Total deposits

     883,478        867,980        867,217        848,969        869,113   

Other borrowings

     14,575        11,124        11,150        11,174        11,199   

Stockholders’ equity

     106,088        103,908        101,092        98,374        96,415   

MORTGAGE PRODUCTION (Amounts in thousands)

          

Dollar volume of mortgage loans closed

   $ 445,846      $ 440,784      $ 446,863      $ 271,233      $ 349,695   

Percentage of refinance based on dollar volume

     30.9     16.0     15.0     19.1     20.3

 

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