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8-K - FORM 8-K - Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Incgcbs_8k-042512.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES REPORTS STRONG FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS,
ANNOUNCES CASH DIVIDEND AND PLANS FOR NEW BRANCH OFFICE IN EVANS, GA

April 25, 2012
Augusta, Georgia

Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc. (GECR.OB), parent company of First Bank of Georgia, today reported quarterly net income of $1,284,000 ($0.36 per diluted common share) for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $1,391,000 ($0.39 per diluted common share) for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This represents a 9.96% return on average equity  and a 1.05% return on average assets (both annualized). Book value totaled $14.28 per common share at March 31, 2012, up from $13.05 at March 31, 2011.

Remer Y. Brinson III, President and CEO of the Company, stated “We are pleased to report strong net income for the first quarter of 2012. Our core deposits grew nicely in the first quarter; however, we continue to see very weak loan demand. Asset quality remains a primary focus in this weakened economy and we continue to maintain a healthy allowance for loan losses of 2.47% of loans (excluding loans held for sale) at March 31, 2012.”
 
“Total assets remained relatively level at $497.5 million since the 2011 year-end. Bank loans declined 2.3% to $279.1 million. Mortgage origination volume remained solid at $94.8 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 17.0% over the first quarter of 2011. Mortgage loans held for sale totaled $33.9 million at March 31, 2012. Total deposits grew $2.7 million or 0.7% since 2011 year-end, although core deposits grew $7.6 million or 3.6%,” Brinson continued.
 
Georgia-Carolina Bancshares’ Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share of common stock payable on May 15, 2012, to shareholders of record as of May 8, 2012. “This dividend represents the first cash dividend paid since the formation of Georgia-Carolina Bancshares in 1997,” Brinson stated.

“We are seeing some signs of a stabilizing economy and remain optimistic about the Augusta market. We are currently developing plans for a new branch office in Evans, GA which we anticipate opening in late 2012 or early 2013. This office will be our seventh overall and our third office in Columbia County. Columbia County is one of the fastest growing counties in Georgia as evidenced by its 38% population growth from 2000 to 2010, and this new branch will allow us to continue to serve existing customers as well as obtain new customer relationships. This office will be located at 4349 Washington Road in the Kroger shopping center.” Brinson continued.

Georgia-Carolina Bancshares’ common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “GECR”.  First Bank of Georgia conducts banking operations through offices in Richmond County (Augusta), Columbia County, and McDuffie County (Thomson), Georgia and operates mortgage origination offices in Augusta and Savannah, Georgia.

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, and are made on the basis of management’s plans and current analyses of the Company, its business and the industry as a whole.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic and market conditions, competition, interest rate sensitivity and exposure to regulatory and legislative changes, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate.  Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized.  The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the Company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
 
 
 

 
 
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
ASSETS
           
             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 53,160     $ 34,902  
Securities available-for-sale
    104,903       100,283  
Loans
    279,070       285,614  
Allowance for loan losses
    (6,898 )     (6,804 )
Loans, held for sale
    33,929       45,227  
Bank premises and fixed assets
    8,946       8,979  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,816       1,732  
Other real estate owned, net of allowance
    6,557       6,990  
Deferred tax asset, net
    1,959       1,640  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    2,070       2,070  
Bank-owned life insurance
    9,692       9,609  
Other assets
    2,300       3,010  
                 
Total assets
  $ 497,504     $ 493,252  
  
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Deposits
               
Non-interest bearing
  $ 54,639     $ 52,735  
Interest-bearing:
               
NOW accounts
    50,203       44,646  
Savings
    63,813       63,210  
Money market accounts
    52,553       52,981  
Other time deposits
    61,532       63,168  
Time deposits of $100,000, and over
    131,391       134,655  
Total deposits
    414,131       411,395  
                 
Repurchase agreements
    2,999       3,565  
Long term Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
    25,000       25,000  
Other borrowings
    166       -  
Other liabilities
    3,332       2,847  
                 
Total liabilities
    445,628       442,807  
                 
Shareholders' equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.001; 1,000,000 shares authorized;
               
none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, par value $.001; 9,000,000 shares authorized;
               
3,633,866 and 3,592,140 shares issued and outstanding
    4       4  
Additional paid-in-capital
    16,504       16,301  
Retained Earnings
    34,271       32,988  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,097       1,152  
Total shareholders' equity
    51,876       50,445  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 497,504     $ 493,252  
 
 
 

 
 
GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
Interest income
 
2012
   
2011
 
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 4,611     $ 5,069  
Interest on taxable securities
    514       520  
Interest on nontaxable securities
    111       103  
Interest on Federal funds sold and other interest
    20       25  
Total interest income
    5,256       5,717  
                 
Interest expense
               
Interest on time deposits of $100,000 or more
    470       739  
Interest on other deposits
    377       659  
Interest on funds purchased and other borrowings
    225       276  
Total interest expense
    1,072       1,674  
                 
Net interest income
    4,184       4,043  
                 
Provision for loan losses
    305       99  
                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    3,879       3,944  
                 
                 
Noninterest income
               
Service charges on deposits
    356       385  
Gain on sale of mortgage loans
    2,108       2,091  
Other income
    457       384  
                 
Total noninterest income
    2,921       2,860  
                 
Noninterest expense
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    2,942       2,969  
Occupancy expenses
    397       394  
Other real estate expenses
    212       131  
Other expenses
    1,415       1,252  
Total noninterest expense
    4,966       4,746  
                 
Income before income taxes
    1,834       2,058  
                 
Income tax expense
    550       667  
                 
Net income
  $ 1,284     $ 1,391  
                 
                 
Net income per share of common stock
               
Basic
  $ 0.36     $ 0.39  
Diluted
  $ 0.36     $ 0.39  
Dividends per share of common stock
  $ -     $ -