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8-K - 8-K - First Bancorp, Inc /ME/a8-kearnings16q1.htm

Exhibit 99.1



The First Bancorp Reports Record Quarterly Results

DAMARISCOTTA, ME, April 20, 2016 – The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), the parent company of First National Bank, today announced operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Net income was $4.5 million, up $328,000 or 7.9% from the first quarter of 2015 and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $0.42 were up $0.03 or 7.7% from the same period in 2015.
“This was the best quarter in the Company’s history,” Tony C. McKim, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer observed, “with net income $315,000 above the record set in the third quarter of 2015. It was also the third quarter in the past five quarters which set a new net income record. The combination of higher net interest income driven by loan growth and lower operating costs is the key driver of our strong performance in 2016. We maintained the quarterly dividend at 22 cents per share and we continue to pay out more than half of our net income to our shareholders in the form of cash dividends.
“Total assets are up $9.9 million year to date and $115.9 million from a year ago,” noted President McKim. “Total loans increased $16.3 million or 1.6% year to date, and year over year, total loans are up $65.8 million or 7.0%. The loan portfolio topped the $1.0 billion mark at quarter end, the first time we have been above this record volume. Loan demand remains healthy, with the majority of loan growth being seen in commercial loans and with modest growth in other loan categories. The investment portfolio is down $10.1 million from year end as a result of securities sales in the first quarter. On the funding side of the balance sheet, low-cost deposits are up $94.7 million or 20.3% year over year but down $17.1 million since year end - in line with our normal seasonal fluctuation.
“Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis for the first three months of 2016 was up $1.0 million from the same period in 2015,” President McKim continued, “with $805,000 of this increase attributable to growth in earning assets, specifically in the loan portfolio, and $186,000 is attributable to an improved net interest margin which is 3.13% in 2016 versus 3.10% in 2015. Non-interest income for the first three months of 2016 was down $694,000 or 19.0% from the first three months of 2015 due to a lower level of gains from sale of securities. The good news, however, is that

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non-interest expense for the first three months of 2016 was $65,000 or 0.9% below the same period in 2015, led by lower employee costs and occupancy expense.
“Our credit quality metrics continue to improve in 2016,” President McKim said. “Non-performing assets stood at 0.53% of total assets as of March 31, 2016 - the lowest level since the second quarter of 2008. This is well below the 0.91% we saw in non-performing assets a year ago, and down from 0.57% at year end. Past-due loans were 0.82% of total loans at March 31, 2016, a significant drop from 1.27% a year ago. We provisioned $375,000 for loan losses in the first three months of 2016, a $125,000 decrease from the $500,000 we provisioned in the first three months of 2015. The allowance for loan losses stood at 1.02% of total loans as of March 31, 2016, up from 1.00% at December 31, 2015 and down from 1.09% a year ago.”
“All of these positive factors can be seen in our operating ratios,” observed F. Stephen Ward, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our return on average assets was 1.15% for the first three months of 2016, slightly below the 1.16% return for the first three months of 2015, and our return on average tangible common equity was 12.80% compared to 12.63% for the same periods, respectively. At 51.45% for the first three months of 2016 compared to 56.79% for the first three months of 2015, our efficiency ratio remains well below the Bank’s UBPR peer group average which stood at 65.23% as of December 31, 2015.
“The First Bancorp’s price per share was $19.51 at March 31, 2016, down $0.96 from December 31, 2015 and with dividends reinvested our total return for the first three months of 2016 was -3.69%,” Mr. Ward noted. We outperformed the banking industry, however, with total returns in the first quarter of -4.72% for the KBW Regional Bank Index and -5.98% for the Nasdaq Bank Index.”
“The Board of Directors kept the dividend at 22 cents per share in the first quarter of 2016,” President McKim commented. “Based on the March 31, 2016 closing price of $19.51 per share, our annualized dividend yield is a very healthy 4.51%. The dividend continues to be one of the major reasons people invest in our stock and strong operating results enable us to maintain our generous dividend payout, or increase it as we did in the second quarter of 2015. At the same time, we are retaining sufficient earnings to remain well capitalized and support future asset growth.
“The economy of coastal Maine definitely continues to improve,” President McKim concluded, “and we are seeing this in stronger loan demand and improved credit quality.  It is important to remember, however, that we live and work in a global economy and we must remain mindful of the potential impact that economic weaknesses in other parts of the world can have on the state of Maine. After coming off a record year in 2015, I am pleased with the very strong operating results we posted in

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the first quarter of 2016. What I am most proud of, though, is the tremendous team of people we have built and how each and every employee contributes to our ongoing success.”

























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The First Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
March 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
14,533

$
14,299

$
13,855

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
6,372

4,013

336

Securities available for sale
216,725

223,039

156,317

Securities to be held to maturity
236,611

240,023

262,455

Restricted equity securities, at cost
13,875

14,257

13,912

Loans held for sale
224

349


Loans
1,004,942

988,638

939,169

Less allowance for loan losses
10,219

9,916

10,196

Net loans
994,723

978,722

928,973

Accrued interest receivable
6,271

4,912

5,724

Premises and equipment
21,392

21,816

22,270

Other real estate owned
1,592

1,532

2,899

Goodwill
29,805

29,805

29,805

Other assets
32,558

32,043

22,286

Total assets
$
1,574,681

$
1,564,810

$
1,458,832

Liabilities
 
 
 
Demand deposits
$
116,756

$
130,566

$
100,939

NOW deposits
240,112

242,638

199,099

Money market deposits
74,643

92,994

101,292

Savings deposits
205,218

206,009

167,338

Certificates of deposit
197,006

158,529

137,166

Certificates $100,000 to $250,000
226,644

175,077

210,657

Certificates $250,000 and over
49,062

37,376

50,334

Total deposits
1,109,441

1,043,189

966,825

Borrowed funds
276,531

337,457

312,576

Other liabilities
17,165

16,666

15,915

Total Liabilities
1,403,137

1,397,312

1,295,316

Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
Common stock
108

108

107

Additional paid-in capital
60,064

59,862

59,286

Retained earnings
108,677

106,673

101,736

Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
2,974

1,123

2,579

Net unrealized loss on transferred securities
(123
)
(112
)
(67
)
Net unrealized loss on postretirement benefit costs
(156
)
(156
)
(125
)
Total shareholders' equity
171,544

167,498

163,516

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity
$
1,574,681

$
1,564,810

$
1,458,832

Common Stock
 
 
 
Number of shares authorized
18,000,000

18,000,000

18,000,000

Number of shares issued and outstanding
10,775,307

10,753,855

10,734,419

Book value per common share
$
15.92

$
15.58

$
15.23

Tangible book value per common share
$
13.13

$
12.78

$
12.43



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The First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
2016
2015
Interest income
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
9,734

$
8,855

Interest on deposits with other banks
3

5

Interest and dividends on investments
3,539

3,505

     Total interest income
13,276

12,365

Interest expense
 
 
Interest on deposits
1,353

1,443

Interest on borrowed funds
1,194

1,220

     Total interest expense
2,547

2,663

Net interest income
10,729

9,702

Provision for loan losses
375

500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
10,354

9,202

Non-interest income
 
 
Investment management and fiduciary income
563

541

Service charges on deposit accounts
574

579

Net securities gains
536

1,395

Mortgage origination and servicing income
129

197

Other operating income
1,162

946

     Total non-interest income
2,964

3,658

Non-interest expense
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
3,598

3,720

Occupancy expense
578

645

Furniture and equipment expense
796

770

FDIC insurance premiums
214

230

Amortization of identified intangibles
11

25

Other operating expense
2,003

1,875

     Total non-interest expense
7,200

7,265

Income before income taxes
6,118

5,595

Applicable income taxes
1,615

1,420

Net Income
$
4,503

$
4,175

Basic earnings per share
$
0.42

$
0.39

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.42

$
0.39



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The First Bancorp
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
 
 
As of and for the three months ended March 31,
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts
2016
2015
 
 
 
Summary of Operations
 
 
Interest Income
$
13,276

$
12,365

Interest Expense
2,547

2,663

Net Interest Income
10,729

9,702

Provision for Loan Losses
375

500

Non-Interest Income
2,964

3,658

Non-Interest Expense
7,200

7,265

Net Income
4,503

4,175

Per Common Share Data
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
0.42

$
0.39

Diluted Earnings per Share
0.42

0.39

Cash Dividends Declared
0.220

0.210

Book Value per Common Share
15.92

15.23

Tangible Book Value per Common Share
13.13

12.43

Market Value
19.51

17.45

Financial Ratios
 
 
Return on Average Equity (a)
10.56
%
10.32
%
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (a)
12.80
%
12.63
%
Return on Average Assets (a)
1.15
%
1.16
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
10.92
%
11.26
%
Average Tangible Equity to Average Assets
9.00
%
9.19
%
Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent (a)
3.13
%
3.10
%
Dividend Payout Ratio
52.38
%
53.85
%
Allowance for Loan Losses/Total Loans
1.02
%
1.09
%
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans
0.67
%
1.10
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
0.53
%
0.91
%
Efficiency Ratio
51.45
%
56.79
%
At Period End
 
 
Total Assets
$
1,574,681

$
1,458,832

Total Loans
1,004,942

939,169

Total Investment Securities
467,211

432,684

Total Deposits
1,109,441

966,825

Total Shareholders' Equity
171,544

163,516

(a) Annualized using a 366-day basis for 2016 and a 365-day basis for 2015.





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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain information in this release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management uses these “non-GAAP” measures in its analysis of the Company's performance and believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. The Company believes that a meaningful analysis of its financial performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying that performance. Management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
In several places net interest income is calculated on a fully tax-equivalent basis. Specifically included in interest income was tax-exempt interest income from certain investment securities and loans. An amount equal to the tax benefit derived from this tax-exempt income has been added back to the interest income total which, as adjusted, increased net interest income accordingly. Management believes the disclosure of tax-equivalent net interest income information improves the clarity of financial analysis, and is particularly useful to investors in understanding and evaluating the changes and trends in the Company's results of operations. Other financial institutions commonly present net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis. This adjustment is considered helpful in the comparison of one financial institution's net interest income to that of another institution, as each will have a different proportion of tax-exempt interest from its earning assets. Moreover, net interest income is a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, other financial institutions generally use tax-equivalent net interest income to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution. The Company follows these practices.
The following table provides a reconciliation of tax-equivalent financial information to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. A 35.0% tax rate was used in both 2016 and 2015.

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For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
March 31, 2016
March 31, 2015
Net interest income as presented
$
10,729

$
9,702

Effect of tax-exempt income
748

784

Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
11,477

$
10,486

The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP information which is most commonly used by financial institutions. The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is noninterest expenses divided by net interest income plus noninterest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes securities losses and other-than-temporary impairment charges from noninterest expenses, excludes securities gains from noninterest income, and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. The following table provides a reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP efficiency ratio:
 
For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
March 31, 2016
March 31, 2015
Non-interest expense, as presented
$
7,200

$
7,265

Net interest income, as presented
10,729

9,702

Effect of tax-exempt income
748

784

Non-interest income, as presented
2,964

3,658

Effect of non-interest tax-exempt income
89

45

Net securities gains
(536
)
(1,395
)
Adjusted net interest income plus non-interest income
$
13,994

$
12,794

Non-GAAP efficiency ratio
51.45
%
56.79
%
GAAP efficiency ratio
52.58
%
54.38
%

The Company presents certain information based upon average tangible common equity instead of total average shareholders' equity. The difference between these two measures is the Company's preferred stock and intangible assets, specifically goodwill from prior acquisitions. Management, banking regulators and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and the tangible book value per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase accounting method in accounting for mergers and acquisitions. The following table provides a reconciliation of average tangible common equity to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles:

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For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
March 31, 2016
March 31, 2015
Average shareholders' equity as presented
$
171,554

$
164,142

  Less intangible assets
(30,103
)
(30,151
)
Tangible average shareholders' equity
$
141,451

$
133,991


Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially, as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additional Information
For more information, please contact F. Stephen Ward, The First Bancorp's Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer, at 207.563.3272.





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