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8-K - FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS RELEASE - First Bancorp, Inc /ME/thefirstbancorp8k2012q1.htm


 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 

 
 
The First Bancorp Reports First Quarter Results
 
 

 
 
DAMARISCOTTA, ME, April 18 – The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), today announced unaudited results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Net income was $2.9 million, down $230,000 or 7.3% from net income posted for the three months ended March 31, 2011, and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $0.28 were down $0.01 or 3.4% from the comparable period in 2011. Compared to the previous quarter, net income was down $109,000 or 3.6% and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis were down $0.01 or 3.4%.
 
 
“Two factors continue to affect The First Bancorp’s performance: the continued weak global economy and extremely low interest rates,” observed Daniel R. Daigneault, the Company’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “Economic weakness has resulted in higher credit losses while low interest rates have created margin compression and lower net interest income. Despite these factors, our quarterly results over the past two years have been very consistent, with net income varying less than 9% between the lowest and highest quarter. Similar results can be seen in many other metrics, including non-performing assets, which have ranged from 1.87% to 2.32% over the past two years and dropped in the first quarter to 2.01% of total assets.
 
 
“Compared to the same period in 2011, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis declined $546,000 or 4.9%,” President Daigneault noted, “Compared to the previous quarter, however, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis was down only $203,000 or 1.9%. Compression can be seen in our net interest margin, which dropped from 3.40% for the first three months of 2011 to 3.22% for the present quarter. This is the result of the low interest rate environment, with a higher volume of assets continuing to reprice downward without the opportunity to reprice at comparable volume of liabilities.
 
 
“Non-interest income in the first quarter was $109,000 or 4.8% lower than in the first quarter of 2011,” President Daigneault continued. “This was attributable to a decline in mortgage origination income related to a $239,000 impairment charge for mortgage-servicing rights as a result of low interest rates and higher levels of mortgage refinancing. Non-interest expense was $310,000 or 4.8% lower than in the same period in 2011, with lower premiums for FDIC Insurance and lower costs related to collections and other real estate owned.
 
 
“The weak economy continues to impact employment and housing prices, which in turn impact credit quality for the Bank,” President Daigneault said. “Net loan chargeoffs for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, were $2.1 million or 0.99% of average loans on an annualized basis. This was up $734,000 from net chargeoffs of $1.4 million or 0.64% of average loans for the first three months of 2011. We provisioned $2.1 million for loan losses in the first quarter of 2012, equal to the amount provisioned in the first quarter of 2011. Although the allowance for loan losses decreased $46,000 between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, year-to-date the allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding declined by only one basis point to 1.49%. Total past-due loans were 3.05% of total loans as of March 31, 2012, slightly below 3.07% of total loans as of December 31, 2011, and just above 3.00% of total loans as of March 31, 2011.”
 
 
“Total assets increased $50.9 million or 3.7% during the first quarter,” observed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, F. Stephen Ward. “The loan portfolio increased $5.9 million or 0.7% while the investment portfolio increased $45.2 million or 10.7%. It was also an excellent quarter for low-cost deposits, which dropped only $3.8 million or 1.2%. This is consistent with the trend seen in the past two years with a much lower level of seasonal outflow than in prior years: our seasonal outflow of low cost deposits was $9.4 million or 3.8% in 2008 and $13.5 million or 5.2% in 2009.
 
 
“Our core operating ratios were also consistent with the quarterly results posted over the past two years,” said Mr. Ward, “Our return on average assets was 0.84% for the quarter – in our two-year range of 0.84% to 0.94% – while our return on average tangible common equity was 9.68% in the first quarter, in our two-year range of 9.68% to 12.60%. Our efficiency ratio is a critical component in our overall performance, and at 50.40% for the first quarter, compares well to our two-year range of 45.86% to 53.06%.
 
 
“The First Bancorp’s stock closed the quarter at $14.83 per share, down 2.75% or $0.42 per share from the March 31, 2011 close of $15.25 per share,” Mr. Ward observed. “When the $0.78 per share annual dividend is added, our trailing-twelve-month total return with dividends reinvested was 2.68%. For the same period, the Russell 2000 and Nasdaq Bank Indices (which we are included in), had total returns with dividends reinvested of -0.18% and 2.71%, respectively. The broad market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, had a trailing-twelve-month total return with dividends reinvested of 8.54%.
 
 
“As of March 31, 2012, the Bank’s leverage capital ratio was 8.35%, and the estimated tier one and tier two risk-based capital ratios were 14.13% and 15.38%, respectively,” President Daigneault said. “These are all well above the FDIC minimum requirements of 5.00%, 6.00% and 10.00%, respectively, to be considered ‘well-capitalized’.  With strong capital ratios, we were able to maintain our dividend payout at $0.195 per share per quarter or $0.78 per share per year. Our shareholders consistently tell us that our dividend yield is one of the primary reasons they own our shares. We paid out 69.6% of earnings in the first quarter compared to 67.2% for the same period in 2011, and our dividend yield was 5.26% at March 31, 2012, based on the closing price of $14.83 per share.
 
 
“All in all, I am pleased with the consistent results we have posted for the past eight quarters,” President Daigneault concluded. “While Maine’s unemployment rate – at 7.1% – remains well below the national unemployment rate at 8.2 %, real estate prices, especially along the Maine coast, remain weak. These are the two major factors that will continue to impact our performance going forward and the ones we will be watching most closely.”
 
 
The First Bancorp, headquartered in Damariscotta, Maine, is the holding company for The First, N.A. Founded in 1864, The First is an independent community bank serving Mid-Coast and Down East Maine with 14 offices in Lincoln, Knox, Hancock and Washington Counties. The Bank provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking products and services. First Advisors, a division of The First, provides investment advisory, private banking and trust services from three offices in Lincoln and Hancock Counties.
 

 
 

 


The First Bancorp
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
                   
In thousands of dollars
 
3/31/2012
   
12/31/2011
   
3/31/2011
 
Assets
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 12,123     $ 14,115     $ 13,700  
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
    1,532       -       100  
Securities available for sale
    317,111       286,202       325,451  
Securities to be held to maturity
    137,606       122,661       109,936  
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost
    14,823       15,443       15,443  
Loans held for sale
    184       -       450  
Loans
    870,892       864,988       894,684  
Less allowance for loan losses
    12,954       13,000       14,000  
Net loans
    857,938       851,988       880,684  
Accrued interest receivable
    5,690       4,835       6,236  
Premises and equipment
    18,722       18,842       18,685  
Other real estate owned
    4,214       4,094       4,575  
Goodwill
    27,684       27,684       27,684  
Other assets
    26,165       27,003       28,094  
Total assets
  $ 1,423,792     $ 1,372,867     $ 1,431,038  
Liabilities
                       
Demand deposits
  $ 69,520     $ 75,750     $ 67,502  
NOW deposits
    120,844       122,775       120,045  
Money market deposits
    75,752       79,015       73,766  
Savings deposits
    118,946       114,617       108,359  
Certificates of deposit
    248,582       216,836       308,127  
Certificates $100,000 to $250,000
    349,643       309,841       337,018  
Certificates $250,000 and over
    32,548       22,499       35,440  
Total deposits
    1,015,835       941,333       1,050,257  
Borrowed funds
    240,151       265,663       217,534  
Other liabilities
    16,213       15,013       11,703  
Total Liabilities
    1,272,199       1,222,009       1,279,494  
Shareholders' equity
                       
Preferred stock
    12,328       12,303       24,729  
Common stock
    98       98       98  
Additional paid-in capital
    46,011       45,829       45,551  
Retained earnings
    86,150       85,314       82,623  
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale
    7,088       7,401       (1,389 )
Net unrealized loss on postretirement benefit costs
    (82 )     (87 )     (68 )
Total shareholders' equity
    151,593       150,858       151,544  
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity
  $ 1,423,792     $ 1,372,867     $ 1,431,038  
Common Stock
                       
Number of shares authorized
    18,000,000       18,000,000       18,000,000  
Number of shares issued and outstanding
    9,839,760       9,812,180       9,786,964  
Book value per common share
  $ 14.15     $ 14.12     $ 12.96  
Tangible book value per common share
  $ 11.34     $ 11.30     $ 10.13  

 
 

 


The First Bancorp
 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
 
             
   
For the three months ended
 
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
 
3/31/2012
   
3/31/2011
 
Interest income
           
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 9,392     $ 10,173  
Interest on deposits with other banks
    -       2  
Interest and dividends on investments
    3,714       4,079  
     Total interest income
    13,106       14,254  
Interest expense
               
Interest on deposits
    2,193       2,563  
Interest on borrowed funds
    1,107       1,186  
     Total interest expense
    3,300       3,749  
Net interest income
    9,806       10,505  
Provision for loan losses
    2,100       2,100  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    7,706       8,405  
Non-interest income
               
Investment management and fiduciary income
    396       424  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    638       640  
Net securities gains
    523       -  
Mortgage origination and servicing income
    (156 )     459  
Other operating income
    767       754  
     Total non-interest income
    2,168       2,277  
Non-interest expense
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    3,084       3,077  
Occupancy expense
    414       449  
Furniture and equipment expense
    573       550  
FDIC insurance premiums
    301       401  
Amortization of identified intangibles
    71       71  
Other operating expense
    1,735       1,940  
     Total non-interest expense
    6,178       6,488  
Income before income taxes
    3,696       4,194  
Applicable income taxes
    783       1,051  
Net Income
  $ 2,913     $ 3,143  
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.29  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.29  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
               
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale,
net of tax benefit of $168 in 2012 and taxes of $363 in 2011
    (313 )     668  
Unrecognized transition obligation for postretirement benefits,
net of taxes of $2 in 2012 and $2 in 2011
    5       5  
     Other comprehensive income
    (308 )     673  
Comprehensive income
  $ 2,605     $ 3,816  
 

 

 
 

 


The First Bancorp
 
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
   
             
   
For the three months ended
 
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts
 
3/31/2012
   
3/31/2011
 
             
Summary of Operations
           
Interest Income
  $ 13,106     $ 14,254  
Interest Expense
    3,300       3,749  
Net Interest Income
    9,806       10,505  
Provision for Loan Losses
    2,100       2,100  
Non-Interest Income
    2,168       2,277  
Non-Interest Expense
    6,178       6,488  
Net Income
    2,913       3,143  
Per Common Share Data
               
Basic Earnings per Share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.29  
Diluted Earnings per Share
    0.28       0.29  
Cash Dividends Declared
    0.195       0.195  
Book Value per Common Share
    14.15       12.96  
Tangible Book Value per Common Share
    11.34       10.13  
Market Value
    14.83       15.25  
Financial Ratios
               
Return on Average Equity (a)
    8.30 %     10.02 %
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (a)
    9.68 %     11.43 %
Return on Average Assets (a)
    0.84 %     0.90 %
Average Equity to Average Assets
    10.95 %     10.76 %
Average Tangible Equity to Average Assets
    8.98 %     8.80 %
Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent (a)
    3.22 %     3.40 %
Dividend Payout Ratio
    69.64 %     67.24 %
Allowance for Loan Losses/Total Loans
    1.49 %     1.56 %
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans
    2.81 %     2.51 %
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
    2.01 %     1.89 %
Efficiency Ratio
    50.40 %     48.28 %
At  Period End
               
Total Assets
  $ 1,423,792     $ 1,431,038  
Total Loans
    870,892       894,684  
Total Investment Securities
    469,540       450,830  
Total Deposits
    1,015,835       1,050,257  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    151,593       151,544  
(a) Annualized using a 366-day basis in 2012 and 365-day basis in 2011
 
 

 

 
 

 

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 adjustments 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 2012 and 2011.
 
   
For the three months ended
 
In thousands of dollars
 
3/31/2012
   
3/31/2011
 
Net interest income as presented
  $ 9,806     $ 10,505  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    763       609  
Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 10,569     $ 11,114  
                 
 
The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP information. 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 of between the GAAP and non-GAAP efficiency ratio:
 
   
For the three months ended
 
In thousands of dollars
 
3/31/2012
   
3/31/2011
 
Non-interest expense, as presented
    6,178       6,488  
Net interest income, as presented
    9,806       10,505  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    763       609  
Non-interest income, as presented
    2,168       2,277  
Effect of non-interest tax-exempt income
    43       47  
Net securities gains
    (523 )     -  
Adjusted net interest income plus non-interest income
  $ 12,257     $ 13,438  
Non-GAAP efficiency ratio
    50.40 %     48.28 %
GAAP efficiency ratio
    51.60 %     50.76 %

 
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:
 
 

 
 

 
   
For the three months ended
 
 In thousands of dollars
 
3/31/2012
   
3/31/2011
 
Average shareholders' equity as presented
  $ 153,544     $ 151,969  
  Less preferred stock
    (12,304 )     (24,705 )
  Less intangible assets
    (27,684 )     (27,684 )
Tangible average shareholders' equity
  $ 113,556     $ 99,580  

 
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 207.563.3195 ext. 5001.