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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - QNB CORPf8k042412_qnb.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
  PO Box 9005
Quakertown PA 18951-9005
215.538.5600
1.800.491.9070
www.QNB.com
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


QNB CORP. FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME INCREASES 11.8% AND REPRESENTS A RECORD QUARTER

QUAKERTOWN, PA (April 24, 2012) QNB Corp. (the “Company” or “QNB”) (OTC Bulletin Board: QNBC), the parent company of QNB Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income for the first quarter of 2012 of $2,471,000, or $0.77 per share on a diluted basis. This represents an 11.8% increase compared to net income of $2,211,000, or $0.70 per share on a diluted basis, for the same period in 2011 and a 29.2% increase from fourth quarter 2011 results.

The results for the first quarter of 2012 represent a record quarter for QNB and reflect an increase in non-interest income of $626,000 and a lower provision for credit losses of $350,000. These positive variances were partially offset by a $151,000 reduction in net interest income and a $431,000 increase in non-interest expense.

Net income expressed as an annualized rate of return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity was 1.15% and 14.71%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared with 1.11% and 14.72%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

“We are very pleased to follow our two consecutive years of record earnings, 2011 and 2010, with record earnings performance for the first quarter of 2012.”, stated Thomas J. Bisko, Chief Executive Officer. “While the economy continues to provide challenges with respect to loan growth, credit quality has shown improvement and core deposit growth remains strong. As a result of this performance and our “well capitalized” position we were able to announce a 4.0% increase in our dividend to shareholders during the first quarter of 2012. Our financial performance for the quarter coupled with the dividend increase compare favorably to our peers.”
 
 
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
 
Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 totaled $6,806,000, a slight decrease of $151,000, or 2.2%, over the same period in 2011. When comparing the two quarters, strong growth in deposits and the investment of these deposits into the securities portfolio was offset by a reduction in the net interest margin resulting in lower net interest income. Average earning assets grew by $57,001,000, or 7.3%, when comparing the first quarter of 2012 to the same period in 2011, with average investment securities increasing $49,423,000, or 17.0%. On the funding side, average deposits increased $57,071,000, or 8.2%, with average transaction accounts increasing $71,088,000, or 17.9%. The growth in transaction accounts was broad based across all product lines and all customer types with the largest increases centered in QNB's Online eSavings product and the deposits of several local school districts and municipalities. Offsetting a portion of this growth was a decline in average time deposits of $14,017,000 when comparing the first quarter 2012 with the same period in 2011.

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2012 was 3.53% compared to 3.89% for the first quarter of 2011 and 3.53% for the fourth quarter of 2011. The historically low interest rate environment of the past few years when combined with the growth in earning assets occurring in the investment portfolio, which generally earn a lower yield than loans, contributed to a decline in the net interest margin. During the beginning of this interest rate cycle, funding costs declined at a faster pace and to a greater degree than rates on earning assets resulting in an increasing net interest margin. However, since the second quarter of 2011 this trend has reversed as funding costs have approached bottom while yields on earning assets continue to reprice lower resulting in a lower net interest margin.
 
 
 

 
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The average rate earned on earning assets declined 59 basis points from 5.00% for the first quarter of 2011 to 4.41% for the first quarter of 2012. When comparing the change in the yield on earning assets between the two first quarter periods, loans and investment securities declined from 5.85% and 3.75%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2011 to 5.37% and 3.20%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2012, a decline of 48 basis points and 55 basis points, respectively.

In comparison, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined 27 basis points from 1.27% to 1.00% over the same time periods. The interest rate paid on interest-bearing deposits declined by 26 basis points to 0.91% for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. Time deposits was the greatest contributor with the average rate paid on time deposits declining 32 basis points from 1.73% for the first quarter of 2011 to 1.41% for the first quarter of 2012. The rates paid on the various transaction account types; interest-bearing demand, municipal, money market and savings declined between 12 basis points and 18 basis points when comparing the two quarters. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities should decline in the second quarter of 2012 as $15,000,000 of long-term debt at a rate of 4.75% matured in April and was repaid.
 
 
Asset Quality, Provision for Loan Loss and Allowance for Loan Loss

QNB closely monitors the quality of its loan portfolio and as a result of a reduction in non-performing loans, lower amounts of loan charge-offs and a reduction in outstanding balances, QNB was able to reduce its provision for loan losses while increasing the balance of the allowance for loan losses and coverage of the allowance for loan losses to total loans and nonperforming loans.

QNB recorded a provision for loan losses of $300,000 in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $650,000 in the first quarter of 2011 and $950,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011. Net loan charge-offs were $85,000, or 0.07% annualized of total average loans, for the first quarter of 2012, compared with $413,000, or 0.35% annualized of total average loans, for the first quarter of 2011 and $576,000, or 0.48% annualized of total average loans, for the fourth quarter of 2011.

QNB's allowance for loan losses of $9,456,000 represents 1.97% of total loans at March 31, 2012 compared to an allowance for loan losses of $9,241,000, or 1.88% of total loans, at December 31, 2011 and $9,192,000, or 1.92% of total loans, at March 31, 2011.

Asset quality continues to slowly improve. Total non-performing assets were $23,234,000 at March 31, 2012 compared with $24,145,000 as of December 31, 2011 and $14,721,000 as of March 31, 2011. Included in this classification are non-performing loans, other real estate owned (OREO) and repossessed assets, and non-performing pooled trust preferred securities. Total non-performing loans, which represent loans on non-accrual status, loans past due more than 90 days and still accruing interest and restructured loans were $19,903,000, or 4.15% of total loans, at March 31, 2012 compared with $21,390,000, or 4.36% of total loans, at December 31, 2011 and $13,012,000, or 2.72% of total loans, at March 31, 2011. The increase in non-performing assets during 2011 was primarily the result of several large commercial loan relationships that showed signs of financial difficulty and collateral values that were below the carrying value of the loan. These loans were placed on non-accrual status because it is possible that all principal and interest payments will not be received as expected. Loans on non-accrual status were $17,064,000 at March 31, 2012 compared with $18,597,000 at December 31, 2011 and $10,589,000 at March 31, 2011. In cases where there is a collateral shortfall on non-accrual loans, specific impairment reserves have been established based on updated collateral values even if the borrower continues to pay in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Of the total amount of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2012, $10,242,000, or 60% of the loans classified as non-accrual, are current or past due less than 30 days at March 31, 2012.
 
 
 

 
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QNB had OREO and other repossessed assets of $1,277,000 as of March 31, 2012 compared with $826,000 at December 31, 2011 and $0 at March 31, 2011. Non-performing pooled trust preferred securities are carried at fair value which was $2,054,000, $1,929,000, and $1,709,000 at March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. The increase in the balance of non-performing pooled trust preferred securities reflects an improvement in the fair value of these securities and not the purchase of additional securities.
 
 
Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income was $1,566,000 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $626,000 compared with the same period in 2011. Net gains on the sale of investment securities and residential mortgage loans account for $620,000 of this total increase. QNB recorded $389,000 of net gains on the sale of investment securities during the first quarter of 2012 compared to net losses of $43,000 recognized in the first quarter of 2011. Included in the first quarter of 2012 securities gains were $386,000 recorded on the sale of equity securities. With the outstanding performance of the U.S. equity markets in the first quarter of 2012, QNB elected to sell some equity holdings and recognize gains. In the first quarter of 2011, QNB recorded gains of $126,000 on the sale of equity securities and net losses of $169,000 on the sale of lower yielding mortgage-backed and Agency securities.

As a result of historically low mortgage rates the amount of residential mortgage refinancing activity has increased significantly as has the amount of gains recorded on the sale of these mortgages. QNB recorded gains of $227,000 on the sale of mortgages during the first quarter of 2012 compared with $39,000 in the first quarter of 2011.
 
 
Non-Interest Expense
 
Total non-interest expense was $4,851,000 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $431,000, or 9.8% compared to $4,420,000 for the first quarter of 2011. Salaries and benefits expense contributed the largest portion of the total increase in non-interest expense increasing $239,000, or 10.0%. A seven person increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees, including the addition of a Chief Information and Technology Officer during the third quarter of 2011, along with promotional and merit increases contributed to the $175,000 increase in salary expense. Payroll related taxes increased $26,000, medical and dental benefit premiums and claims increased $21,000 and retirement plan expense increased $18,000 when comparing the two quarters.

Net occupancy and furniture and fixtures expense increased $54,000, or 7.7%, with the majority of the increase in depreciation expense, common area maintenance adjustments on a couple of leased properties and equipment maintenance costs.

Also contributing to the increase in non-interest expense was a $91,000, or 36.6%, increase in third party services and a $67,000 increase in expenses related to the maintenance of other real estate owned. The increase in third party services relates primarily to ongoing costs associated with the new online and mobile banking system introduced in the third quarter of 2011 and the outsourcing of email services to a third party provider during the second quarter of 2011. Marketing expense increased $26,000, or 14.9%, as a result of an increase in public relations and donations costs.

 
 

 
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Partially offsetting these higher costs were reductions in FDIC insurance expense of $82,000, or 31.4%. The decrease in FDIC premium expense was a result of a reduction in the rate charged and a change in the method of calculating the basis of the premium effective as of April 1, 2011.


About the Company

QNB Corp. is the holding company for QNB Bank, which is headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. QNB Bank currently operates nine branches in Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh Counties and offers commercial and retail banking services in the communities it serves. In addition, the Company provides retail brokerage services through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and title insurance as a member of Laurel Abstract Company LLC. More information about QNB Corp and QNB Bank is available at www.qnb.com.


Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Actual results and trends could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors. Such factors include the possibility that increased demand or prices for the Company’s financial services and products may not occur, changing economic and competitive conditions, technological developments, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Item lA. Risk Factors," set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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QNB Corp.
Consolidated Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
                               
(Dollars in thousands)
                             
                               
Balance Sheet (Period End)
 
3/31/12
   
12/31/11
   
9/30/11
   
6/30/11
   
3/31/11
 
Assets
  $ 882,940     $ 868,804     $ 875,211     $ 839,280     $ 819,445  
Investment securities (AFS & HTM)
    351,782       349,418       352,251       327,936       296,312  
Loans receivable
    479,474       489,936       472,978       475,710       478,394  
Allowance for loan losses
    (9,456 )     (9,241 )     (8,867 )     (8,850 )     (9,192 )
Net loans
    470,018       480,695       464,111       466,860       469,202  
Deposits
    764,768       750,712       757,140       719,681       707,406  
Demand, non-interest bearing
    67,464       66,850       63,674       65,542       61,881  
Interest-bearing demand, money market and savings
    412,015       398,838       401,233       360,150       353,844  
Time
    285,289       285,024       292,233       293,989       291,681  
Short-term borrowings
    22,349       24,021       25,806       30,553       26,033  
Long-term debt
    20,295       20,299       20,301       20,303       20,306  
Shareholders' equity
    72,542       70,841       69,445       66,194       62,683  
                                         
Asset Quality Data (Period End)
                                       
Non-accrual loans
  $ 17,064     $ 18,597     $ 19,219     $ 9,455     $ 10,589  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
    171       380       87       10       36  
Restructured loans
    2,668       2,413       2,650       2,417       2,387  
Non-performing loans
    19,903       21,390       21,956       11,882       13,012  
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets
    1,277       826       884       -       -  
Non-accrual pooled trust preferred securities
    2,054       1,929       1,878       1,962       1,709  
Non-performing assets
  $ 23,234     $ 24,145     $ 24,718     $ 13,844     $ 14,721  
                                         
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 9,456     $ 9,241     $ 8,867     $ 8,850     $ 9,192  
                                         
Non-performing loans / Loans
    4.15 %     4.36 %     4.64 %     2.49 %     2.72 %
Non-performing assets / Assets
    2.63 %     2.78 %     2.82 %     1.65 %     1.80 %
Allowance for loan losses / Loans
    1.97 %     1.88 %     1.87 %     1.86 %     1.92 %

 
 

 
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QNB Corp.
Consolidated Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
                               
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the three months ended,
 
For the period:
 
3/31/12
   
12/31/11
   
9/30/11
   
6/30/11
   
3/31/11
 
                               
Interest income
  $ 8,633     $ 8,849     $ 9,085     $ 9,188     $ 9,095  
Interest expense
    1,827       1,911       2,005       2,037       2,138  
Net interest income
    6,806       6,938       7,080       7,151       6,957  
Provision for loan losses
    300       950       650       450       650  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,506       5,988       6,430       6,701       6,307  
Non-interest income:
                                       
Fees for services to customers
    339       351       363       347       327  
ATM and debit card
    364       356       359       366       328  
Net gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale
    389       (30 )     (32 )     54       (43 )
Other
    474       457       392       303       328  
Total non-interest income
    1,566       1,134       1,082       1,070       940  
Non-interest expense:
                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,626       2,543       2,522       2,408       2,387  
Net occupancy and furniture and equipment
    754       759       705       690       700  
FDIC insurance premiums
    180       202       41       276       262  
Other
    1,291       1,274       1,246       1,210       1,071  
Total non-interest expense
    4,851       4,778       4,514       4,584       4,420  
Income before income taxes
    3,221       2,344       2,998       3,187       2,827  
Provision for income taxes
    750       432       676       752       616  
Net income
  $ 2,471     $ 1,912     $ 2,322     $ 2,435     $ 2,211  
                                         
Share and Per Share Data:
                                       
Net income - basic
  $ 0.78     $ 0.60     $ 0.74     $ 0.77     $ 0.71  
Net income - diluted
  $ 0.77     $ 0.60     $ 0.73     $ 0.77     $ 0.70  
Book value
  $ 22.74     $ 22.32     $ 21.95     $ 20.98     $ 19.94  
Cash dividends
  $ 0.26     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.25  
Average common shares outstanding - basic
    3,180,903       3,164,710       3,154,529       3,144,935       3,134,449  
Average common shares outstanding - diluted
    3,192,634       3,178,302       3,168,931       3,161,761       3,145,239  
                                         
Selected Ratios:
                                       
Return on average assets
    1.15 %     0.87 %     1.07 %     1.18 %     1.11 %
Return on average shareholders' equity
    14.71 %     11.50 %     14.31 %     15.62 %     14.72 %
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    3.53 %     3.53 %     3.63 %     3.84 %     3.89 %
Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent)
    54.48 %     55.44 %     51.97 %     52.50 %     52.57 %
Average shareholders' equity to total average assets
    7.81 %     7.58 %     7.49 %     7.56 %     7.55 %
Net loan charge-offs
  $ 85     $ 576     $ 633     $ 792     $ 413  
Net loan charge-offs (annualized) / Average loans
    0.07 %     0.48 %     0.53 %     0.67 %     0.35 %
                                         
Balance Sheet (Average)
                                       
Assets
  $ 865,892     $ 870,133     $ 859,434     $ 826,901     $ 806,289  
Investment securities (AFS & HTM)
    339,946       345,698       332,479       305,196       290,523  
Loans receivable
    482,284       479,076       475,549       477,151       476,699  
Deposits
    753,948       756,472       744,619       714,628       696,877  
Shareholders' equity
    67,590       65,974       64,388       62,531       60,896  
 
 
 
 Contacts:
Thomas J. Bisko, CEO
215-538-5600 x-5612 
tbisko@qnb.com
Bret H. Krevolin, CFO
215-538-5600 x-5716
bkrevolin@qnb.com