Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8K FBC - FIRST BUSEY CORP /NV/form8k_fbc.htm

July 24, 2012
 

 
First Busey Announces 2012 Second Quarter Earnings
 
Champaign, IL – (Nasdaq: BUSE)
 
Message from our President & CEO
 
First Busey Corporation’s net income for the second quarter of 2012 was $4.9 million and net income available to common stockholders was $4.0 million, or $0.05 per fully-diluted common share, as compared to net income of $7.4 million and net income available to common stockholders of $6.2 million, or $0.07 per fully-diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2011. In comparison, the Company reported net income for the first quarter of 2012 of $7.6 million and net income available to common stockholders of $6.7 million, or $0.08 per fully-diluted common share.

The Company’s 2012 year-to-date net income through June 30 was $12.5 million and net income available to common stockholders was $10.7 million, or $0.12 per fully diluted share, compared to net income of $16.6 million, and net income available to common stockholders of $13.5 million, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, for the comparable period of 2011.

Changes in net income between comparative periods were influenced by seasonal changes in agriculture-based products, large gains on the Company’s private equity funds in the first quarter of 2012, one-time expenses, and increased investments in 2012 to support future balance sheet strength, profitability and growth. In addition, our 2012 results were impacted positively by our exit from the TARP program in August 2011, which reduced the year-to-date cost of preferred stock dividends by $0.7 million and the second quarter cost by $0.4 million. Also contributing to our lower year-to-date cost of preferred stock dividends was the March 2011 conversion of our Series B preferred stock, which had $0.5 million of associated preferred dividend costs in the first quarter of 2011. These reductions in preferred stock dividends favorably impacted net income available to common stockholders in 2012.

Our previously announced loan growth initiative began showing positive results late in the second quarter and gross loan balances ended the quarter at $2.02 billion, which reflected an increase of $15.8 million over the prior quarter-end.  Growth occurred in targeted portfolios with positive changes in mix.  Commercial & Industrial loans grew $21.4 million while Commercial Real Estate and Construction loans declined $12.6 million in the aggregate. Loans related to residential real estate also rose $7.2 million, including $5.6 million in loans held for sale.  Loans with the strongest risk grades exhibited positive growth, while loans with weaker grades declined during the quarter1.
 
    Our non-interest bearing deposits of $555.6 million at June 30, 2012 grew from $503.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $447.7 million at June 30, 2011. Furthermore, our core
    deposits of $2.7 billion at June 30, 2012 increased from $2.5 billion at December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011. In addition, as of June 30, 2012, our services per household increased to
    five services per household, which is approximately 5% greater than June 30, 2011. We believe this growth is indicative of the success of our B5 relationship sales model, which
    includes improved cross-sales to our customer base.
 
At the end of the second quarter of 2012, Busey Bank continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered “well-capitalized” under the regulatory guidance. Additionally, Tangible Common Equity (TCE) increased to $313.0 million at June 30, 2012 from $310.4 million at March 31, 2012 and $298.6 million at June 30, 2011. TCE represented 8.96% of tangible assets at June 30, 2012 compared to 8.85% at March 31, 2012 and 8.68% at June 30, 2011.

On July 27, 2012, we will pay a cash dividend of $0.04 per common share to stockholders of record as of July 20, 2012.  The Company has an uninterrupted history of paying quarterly dividends to its common stockholders since 1998, when it first began trading on the NASDAQ exchange.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1A detailed description of the loan grading policy can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 
 
 
 
 
Asset Quality:  While much internal focus is currently being directed toward organic growth, our commitment to credit quality remains strong, as evidenced by another quarter of positive trends across a range of credit indicators. We expect to maintain gradual improvement in our overall asset quality during 2012; however, this continues to be dependent upon market-specific economic conditions.  The key metrics are as follows:

·  
Non-performing loans decreased to $33.8 million at June 30, 2012 from $34.1 million at March 31, 2012 and $38.5 million at December 31, 2011.

o  
Illinois/Indiana non-performing loans decreased to $25.3 million at June 30, 2012 from $25.6 million at March 31, 2012 and $27.7 million at December 31, 2011.
o  
Florida non-performing loans of $8.5 million at June 30, 2012 remained consistent with the amount recorded at March 31, 2012, but decreased from $10.8 million at December 31, 2011.

·  
Loans 30-89 days past due decreased to $4.2 million at June 30, 2012 from $15.9 million at March 31, 2012 and $4.7 million at December 31, 2011.  As discussed in our prior period release, the primary reason for the increase in the first quarter of 2012 related to two large commercial credits which have since been sold or reclassified to non-performing.
·  
Other non-performing assets, primarily consisting of other real estate owned, decreased to $7.8 million at June 30, 2012 from $8.7 million at March 31, 2012 and $8.5 million at December 31, 2011.
·  
The ratio of non-performing assets to total loans plus other non-performing assets at June 30, 2012 decreased to 2.05% from 2.13% at March 31, 2012 and 2.28% at December 31, 2011.
·  
The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio decreased to 150.42% at June 30, 2012 from 157.75% at March 31, 2012 and 151.91% at December 31, 2011.
·  
The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio decreased to 2.52% at June 30, 2012 compared to 2.68% at March 31, 2012 and 2.85% at December 31, 2011.
·  
Net charge-offs of $7.5 million recorded in the second quarter of 2012 were lower than the $9.7 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012 and the $10.4 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011.
·  
Provision expense decreased to $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2012 from $5.0 million recorded in both the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011.
 
    Operating Performance:  We made great progress in 2011 to strengthen our balance sheet, and the Company is dedicated to continuing efforts actively underway to support
    organic growth. Our business outreach across our footprint has increased substantially, and we are encouraged by the volumes building in our loan pipeline and the new loan
    growth experienced in the second quarter of 2012.
 
    While our expenses increased as we continued to build out the infrastructure to support our growth strategy, we were able to maintain stable revenue generation through
    diversified sources during the quarter. Total revenue, net of interest expense and security gains, for the second quarter of 2012 was $41.0 million, compared to $43.6 million for the
    first quarter of 2012 and $41.6 million for the second quarter of 2011. Net of private equity fund gains of $2.1 million recorded in the first quarter of 2012, revenue was relatively
    steady on both a linked-quarter and year-over-year basis. Quarterly revenue was further impacted by seasonal changes in agriculture-based trust fees, declining by $1.4 million
    on a linked quarter basis in 2012.
 
    Total revenue for the first six months of 2012 was $84.6 million as compared to $85.5 million for the same period of 2011. Non-interest income revenue sources are helping offset
    declines in net interest income arising from slow asset growth and continuing margin pressure. Revenues from trust, brokerage and commissions, and remittance processing
    activities, which are primarily generated through Busey Wealth Management and FirsTech, represent 43% of non-interest income and approximately one third of total net income
    to the Company, providing a balance to traditional banking activities in a slow growth economy.
 
    Busey Wealth Management’s net income of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2012 increased from $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2012, and was consistent with the amount
    earned in the second quarter of 2011. Busey Wealth Management’s net income for the first six months of 2012 was $1.9 million as compared to $1.7 million for the first six months
    of 2011. FirsTech’s net income of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2012 decreased from $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2012 and $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2011.
    FirsTech’s net income for the first six months of 2012 was $0.5 million as compared to $0.9 million for the same period of 2011.
 
    Other specific areas of operating performance are detailed as follows:

·  
Net interest income declined to $25.3 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $25.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $27.8 million in the second quarter of 2011. Net interest income for the first six months of 2012 was $51.0 million compared to $56.2 million for the same period of 2011. Net interest income declines were driven by decreases in average loan volumes, which have prompted recent initiatives to guide quality asset growth. Additional liquidity generated by our growing deposit base has primarily been deployed into our investment portfolio.
·
Net interest margin decreased to 3.21% for the second quarter of 2012 as compared to 3.31% for the first quarter of 2012 and 3.54% for the second quarter of 2011.  The net interest margin for the first six months of 2012 decreased to 3.26% compared to 3.54% for the same period of 2011.  The Company continues to experience downward pressure on its yield on interest-earning assets resulting from a protracted period of historically low rates and heightened competition for assets, which is being experienced throughout the banking industry.
·  
Driven by strong loan production, an active market for refinancing and positive momentum in the home purchase market, gains on sales of residential mortgage loans increased to $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2011. During the first six months of 2012, gains on sales of mortgage loans increased to $5.7 million from $4.5 million for the first six months of 2011.
·  
Other non-interest income declined to $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, but increased from $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2011. Other non-interest income for the first six months of 2012 increased to $4.8 million from $2.0 million for the comparable period of 2011. As discussed in the prior period release, the Company recorded a net gain of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2012 from income earned on private equity funds. The majority of this gain was non-ordinary; therefore, a decline in non-interest income for the second quarter of 2012 had been expected. Increases in other non-interest income from the second quarter of 2011 were primarily attributable to current quarter gains of $0.2 million in private equity funds and $0.2 million in the cash surrender value of BOLI policies, as well as a loss of $0.2 million on the sale of fixed assets recorded during the comparable period in 2011.
·  
Salaries and wages and employee benefits increased to $16.3 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 and $12.5 million in the second quarter of 2011. In the first six months of 2012, salaries and wages and employee benefits totaled $31.3 million as compared to $24.9 million for the same period of 2011. These expenses were at a four-year low in the first six months of 2011, and the planned increase in 2012 represents the investment in talent to drive future business expansion as discussed in prior earnings releases. The primary investment is related to our commercial banking segment to support profitable asset growth through value-added services to commercial clients in our existing and surrounding footprint. Busey Wealth Management has undertaken a similar strategy to support a diversified revenue stream and expanded client service capabilities. One-time charges during the quarter related to insurance and other benefits also increased expenses by approximately $0.3 million.
·  
Total non-interest expense was impacted favorably by a decline in regulatory expense as a result of a change in the FDIC’s rate assessment methodology. Regulatory expense for the second quarter of 2012 declined to $0.6 million from $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2011. For the first six months of 2012, regulatory expense was $1.2 million as compared to $3.2 million for the same period of 2011.  In addition, various other expenses rose during the second quarter of 2012 by approximately $0.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2012 and the second quarter of 2011 from one-time charges related to other real estate owned and strategic technology initiatives.
·  
 
Our quarterly efficiency ratio increased to 69.68% for the second quarter of 2012 from 59.79% for the first quarter of 2012 and 57.80% for the second quarter of 2011 due to planned expense increases as part of our growth strategy and the one-time charges discussed in the preceding paragraphs. The efficiency ratio for the first six months of 2012 was 64.59%, as compared to 56.81% for the same period of 2011. Peer data from Federal Reserve system sources suggests that the Company has historically compared favorably to similarly-sized companies in terms of efficiency ratios, with averages for peers ranging between 65% and 67% during 2011 and the first quarter of 2012.

 
 
 
Overview and Strategy:

Our results this quarter reflect the culmination of months of planning and focused effort to retool our teams and rebuild our balance sheet in constructive ways for the long-term benefit of the Company.  We understood that this commitment would require the deployment of capital to support our investment in the future, and earnings thus far in 2012 have aligned with estimates of the short-term effects of our long-term strategy.

Positive changes are occurring in our balance sheet, with the initial inflection of loan volumes in areas specifically targeted for growth and the consistent strengthening in our mix of funding through non-interest bearing deposits.  Capital and asset quality continue to trend favorably, and the marriage of old competencies and new is melding together to create a more diverse organization.

We have embraced forward-looking practices regarding sustainability and were recently awarded certification through the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping business reduce their ecological footprint by attaining certification.  To date, Busey is the largest organization to earn this achievement through the IGBA.  Environmentally responsible business reduces costs and renews our commitment as a good steward to our communities.

Early stage success in building a stronger balance sheet structure is generally a positive leading indicator for future profitability. We are realistic that our strategies will take time to produce results and are working diligently to expand fee-based aspects of our business to counter headwinds the industry is collectively facing due to pressures on net interest margins.
 
As we move forward into future phases of our strategic evolution, we thank our associates for their efforts, our customers for their business and you, our stockholders, for your continued support of Busey.

 
\s\ Van A. Dukeman
 
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
    First Busey Corporation


 

 
 
 





SELECTED  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
As of and for the
 
 As of and for the
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
June 30,
March 31,
June 30,
 
June 30,
June 30,
     
2012
2012
2011
 
2012
2011
EARNINGS & PER SHARE DATA
             
 
Net income
 
 $          4,888
 $            7,643
$          7,447
 
 $         12,531
 $       16,557
 
Income available to common stockholders1
 
3,980
           6,735
         6,164
 
         10,715
       13,498
 
Revenue2
 
          40,980
      43,578
     41,587
 
84,558
85,475
 
Fully-diluted earnings per share
 
              0.05
               0.08
              0.07
 
                0.12
              0.16
 
Cash dividends paid per share
 
               0.04
                 0.04
              0.04
 
                0.08
              0.08
                 
 
Net income by operating segment
             
 
   Busey Bank
 
 $          4,187
 $            6,030
$          7,096
 
 $         10,217
 $       15,916
 
   Busey Wealth Management
 
             1,004
                  863
               974
 
              1,867
            1,668
 
   FirsTech
 
              244
                  265
               422
 
                 509
               872
                 
AVERAGE BALANCES
             
 
Assets
 
$   3,521,800
 $     3,465,407
$   3,491,237
 
$    3,493,603
 $  3,540,399
 
Earning assets
 
      3,239,363
        3,183,248
     3,209,961
 
    3,211,305
     3,251,797
 
Deposits
 
      2,878,173
        2,815,795
     2,823,136
 
    2,846,984
     2,860,618
 
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
      2,559,924
        2,526,097
     2,569,520
 
    2,543,010
     2,611,737
 
Stockholders' equity - common
 
         340,575
           337,665
        325,608
 
       339,120
        307,641
 
Tangible stockholders' equity - common
 
         305,012
           301,274
        286,586
 
       303,143
        268,176
                 
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
             
 
Return on average assets3
 
0.45%
0.78%
0.71%
 
0.62%
0.77%
 
Return on average common equity3
 
4.70%
8.02%
7.59%
 
6.35%
8.85%
 
Return on average tangible common equity3
 
5.25%
8.99%
8.63%
 
7.11%
10.15%
 
Net interest margin3
 
3.21%
3.31%
3.54%
 
3.26%
3.54%
 
Efficiency ratio4
 
69.68%
59.79%
57.80%
 
64.59%
56.81%
 
Non-interest income as a % of total revenues2
 
38.33%
41.03%
33.05%
 
39.72%
34.26%
                 
ASSET QUALITY
             
 
Gross loans
 
 $   2,021,931
 $   2,006,157
$   2,168,240
     
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
           50,866
             53,835
          69,329
     
 
Net charge-offs
 
             7,469
               9,671
          10,520
 
            17,140
          16,709
 
Allowance for loan losses to loans
 
2.52%
2.68%
3.20%
     
 
Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans
 
150.42%
157.75%
128.94%
     
 
Non-performing loans
             
 
     Non-accrual loans
 
           33,760
          33,763
         52,456
     
 
     Loans 90+ days past due
 
                 57
                363
           1,314
     
 
  Geographically
             
 
     Illinois/ Indiana
 
         25,365
          25,675
         34,260
     
 
     Florida
 
            8,452
              8,451
        19,510
     
 
Loans 30-89 days past due
 
             4,240
            15,930
         17,057
     
 
Other non-performing assets
 
            7,783
              8,719
            6,855
     
                 
1
Net income, net of preferred dividends and discount accretion
     
2
Total revenue, net of interest expense and security gains
           
3
Quarterly ratios annualized and calculated on net income available to common stockholders
     
4
Net of security gains and intangible charges
             

 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
June 30,
   
December 31,
   
June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2011
 
Assets
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 320,349     $ 315,053     $ 357,193  
Investment securities
    980,785       831,749       742,793  
Net loans, including loans held for sale
    1,971,065       1,992,838       2,098,911  
Premises and equipment
    70,119       69,398       71,162  
Goodwill and other intangibles
    35,050       36,704       38,474  
Other assets
    147,355       156,380       162,355  
Total assets
  $ 3,524,723     $ 3,402,122     $ 3,470,888  
                         
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
                       
Non-interest bearing deposits
  $ 555,560     $ 503,118     $ 447,650  
Interest-bearing deposits
    2,339,550       2,260,336       2,366,191  
Total deposits
  $ 2,895,110     $ 2,763,454     $ 2,813,841  
                         
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    119,115       127,867       126,796  
Long-term debt
    14,417       19,417       19,834  
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts
    55,000       55,000       55,000  
Other liabilities
    26,234       27,117       25,641  
Total liabilities
  $ 3,109,876     $ 2,992,855     $ 3,041,112  
Total stockholders' equity
  $ 414,847     $ 409,267     $ 429,776  
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity
  $ 3,524,723     $ 3,402,122     $ 3,470,888  
                         
Per Share Data
                       
Book value per common share
  $ 3.95     $ 3.89     $ 3.81  
Tangible book value per common share1
  $ 3.55     $ 3.46     $ 3.36  
Ending number of common shares outstanding
    86,631       86,617       86,597  

 
1 Total common equity less goodwill and other intangibles divided by shares outstanding as of period end
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
 
                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 24,512     $ 29,173     $ 50,038     $ 59,681  
Interest on investment securities
    4,713       4,700       9,283       9,098  
Total interest income
  $ 29,225     $ 33,873     $ 59,321     $ 68,779  
                                 
Interest on deposits
    3,318       4,820       7,066       10,079  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    85       110       172       231  
Interest on long-term debt
    220       486       446       982  
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts
    328       616       665       1,299  
Total interest expense
  $ 3,951     $ 6,032     $ 8,349     $ 12,591  
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 25,274     $ 27,841     $ 50,972     $ 56,188  
Provision for loan losses
    4,500       5,000       9,500       10,000  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  $ 20,774     $ 22,841     $ 41,472     $ 46,188  
                                 
Trust fees
    4,090       3,757       9,285       8,305  
Commissions and brokers' fees
    564       479       1,070       920  
Fees for customer services
    4,316       4,523       8,508       8,852  
Remittance processing
    2,111       2,403       4,278       4,784  
Gain on sales of loans
    3,256       1,835       5,669       4,467  
Net security gains (losses)
    64       -       64       (2 )
Other
    1,369       749       4,776       1,959  
Total non-interest income
  $ 15,770     $ 13,746     $ 33,650     $ 29,285  
                                 
Salaries and wages
    13,148       10,028       25,259       19,588  
Employee benefits
    3,122       2,506       6,018       5,265  
Net occupancy expense
    2,156       2,136       4,361       4,551  
Furniture and equipment expense
    1,310       1,340       2,582       2,664  
Data processing expense
    2,639       2,170       4,798       4,280  
Amortization expense
    827       884       1,654       1,768  
Regulatory expense
    620       1,308       1,246       3,155  
OREO expense
    510       135       515       347  
Other operating expenses
    5,447       4,678       10,548       9,232  
Total non-interest expense
  $ 29,779     $ 25,185     $ 56,981     $ 50,850  
                                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 6,765     $ 11,402     $ 18,141     $ 24,623  
Income taxes
    1,877       3,955       5,610       8,066  
Net income
  $ 4,888     $ 7,447     $ 12,531     $ 16,557  
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
  $ 908     $ 1,283     $ 1,816     $ 3,059  
Income available for common stockholders
  $ 3,980     $ 6,164     $ 10,715     $ 13,498  
                                 
Per Share Data
                               
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.07     $ 0.12     $ 0.16  
Fully-diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.07     $ 0.12     $ 0.16  
Diluted average common shares outstanding
    86,637       86,617       86,633       84,001  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Profile
 

First Busey Corporation is a $3.5 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois and has thirty-one full service and four limited service banking centers serving Illinois, a full service banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and seven full service banking centers serving southwest Florida.  Busey Bank had total assets of $3.5 billion as of June 30, 2012.

Busey Wealth Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey Corporation. Through Busey Trust Company, Busey Wealth Management provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations.  As of June 30, 2012, Busey Wealth Management managed approximately $4.0 billion in assets.

Through Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation owns a retail payment processing subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc., which processes over 22 million transactions per year through online bill payments, lockbox processing and walk-in payments through its 3,100 agent locations in 38 states.

Busey Bank also provides electronic delivery of financial services through its website, www.busey.com.

Contact:
David B. White, CFO
217-365-4047




Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company.  Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions.  Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks; (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the extensive regulations to be promulgated thereunder); (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of acquisitions; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices.  These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.