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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

Date Submitted: July 22, 2013 Contact: Samuel G. Stone
NASDAQ Symbol: FBMI Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(989) 466-7325

  

FIRSTBANK CORPORATION ANNOUNCES

SECOND QUARTER AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2013 RESULTS

 

Highlights Include:

●   For the second quarter of 2013, earnings per share of $0.38 were 52% over the $0.25 for the second quarter of 2012 

●   Provision expense down 57% from the first quarter of 2013 and down 78% from the year-ago second quarter

●   Non-accrual loans down 8% in the quarter and down 34% from year-ago; other real estate owned down 29% from the prior quarter and 33% less than year-ago

●   Redemption of all preferred stock completed

●   Back room conversions related to the consolidation of Firstbank charters completed on schedule with little or no disruption of customer service

●   Equity ratios remained strong with affiliate banks continuing to exceed regulatory well-capitalized requirements

 

 

Alma, Michigan (FBMI) ---- Thomas R. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank Corporation, announced net income of $3,343,000 for the second quarter of 2013, increasing 39.1% from $2,404,000 for the second quarter of 2012, with net income available to common shareholders of $3,077,000 in the second quarter of 2013 increasing 55.1% from $1,984,000 in the second quarter of 2012. Earnings per share were $0.38 in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $0.25 in the second quarter of 2012. Returns on average assets and average equity for the second quarter of 2013 were 0.90% and 9.1%, respectively, compared to 0.65% and 6.3% respectively in the second quarter of 2012.

 

For the first half of 2013, net income of $6,206,000 increased 28.7% from $4,821,000 for the first half of 2012, with net income available to common shareholders of $5,725,000 in the first half of 2013 increasing 43.8% from $3,981,000 in the first half of 2012. Earnings per share were $0.71 in the first half of 2013 compared to $0.50 in the first half of 2012. Returns on average assets and average equity for the first half of 2013 were 0.83% and 8.5%, respectively, compared to 0.65% and 6.3% respectively in the first half of 2012.

 

Mr. Sullivan stated, “The second quarter of 2013 saw significant progress for our company. With the redemption and retirement of $17 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, we completed the redemption of all of the preferred shares and warrants issued in 2009 as part of the U.S. Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program. This redemption marked a key milestone in our company’s successful navigation of the “great recession.’

 

 
 

 

  

“We saw growth in portfolio loans, which helps our earning asset mix and hopefully is a sign of an improving economic environment. With the growth in loans, we saw the first quarterly increase in our yield on earning assets since the third quarter of 2007.

 

“We continued to make progress on reducing non-accrual loans and other real estate owned. Getting these non-performing assets off our balance sheet allows our lending staff to focus more on developing new relationships and serving existing good customers.

 

“The back room conversions related to the integration of our bank charters was completed and the whole charter consolidation project has gone well and without disruption. We continue to serve our customers with the same high quality, timely, personal, professional, community bank service.

 

“Improvement in our earnings and asset quality metrics are the result of all of this progress, and we thank our wonderful staff for their hard work and dedication to our customers and company.”

 

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses, at $552,000 in the second quarter of 2013, was 57% less than the amount required in the first quarter of 2013 and was 78% less than the amount in the year-ago second quarter. Net charge-offs of $1,161,000 in the second quarter included $798,000 that had been specifically reserved in periods prior to the beginning of the quarter, making it unnecessary to provide the full amount of net charge-offs in the quarter. The provision expense of $552,000 in the second quarter of 2013 did exceed the amount of net charge-offs that had not been previously reserved. The level of provision expense and other expenses related to management and collection of the loan portfolio, while coming down, continue to be the major impediments to higher levels of profitability.

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income, at $13,191,000 in the second quarter of 2013 was 4.7%, lower than in the second quarter of 2012, as a result of a 16 basis point lower net interest margin compared to the year-ago quarter. More importantly, Firstbank’s net interest margin in the second quarter of 2013 improved to 3.89% from 3.83% in the first quarter of 2013. Although competitive pricing pressure continued to force yields lower on some loan renewals, portfolio loans grew in the second quarter of 2013. With the improvement in earning asset mix in the quarter, the yield on average earning assets increased by 3 basis points, to 4.34% in the second quarter of 2013 from 4.31% in the first quarter of 2013. The cost of funds to average earning assets declined by 3 basis points, to 0.45% in the second quarter of 2013 from 0.48% in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Non-interest Income. Total non-interest income, at $2,973,000 in the second quarter of 2013, was 1.8% lower than in the second quarter of 2012. Although mortgage refinance activity remained at a historically strong level, gain on sale of mortgages, at $1,467,000 in the second quarter of 2013, decreased 6.0% compared to the first quarter of 2013 but was 0.5% above the year-ago level. The category of “other” non-interest income, at $481,000 in the second quarter of 2013, was 20% more than the amount in the first quarter of 2013 and 4.1% more than in the second quarter of 2012. Included in this category of income was a $103,000 net gain on sale of other real estate owned in the second quarter of 2013, compared to a net gain of $54,000 in the first quarter of 2012 and a net loss of $13,000 in the second quarter of 2012. In the year-ago second quarter a non-taxable income item of $178,000, related to a director benefit plan of an affiliate bank, affected this category and did not recur in 2013.

  

 
 

 

 

Non-interest Expense. Total non-interest expense, at $10,907,000 in the second quarter of 2013, was 1.1% lower than the level in the second quarter of 2012. Salaries and employee benefits were 4.3% higher than in the second quarter of 2012. The salary and wage component increased 6.0%, mostly due to the reinstatement of normal incentive plans which were in suspension during the year-ago second quarter. Benefits costs decreased 1.9%. Occupancy and equipment costs were 3.3% more than the amount in last year’s second quarter mostly due to upgrades of computer equipment and routine building maintenance. FDIC insurance premium expense, at $276,000 in the second quarter of 2013, was 15% less than the level in the second quarter of 2012 due to the timing of expense recognition related to the FDIC’s change in methodology for assessing premiums based on assets rather than deposits. The category of “other” non-interest expense, totaling $3,496,000 in the second quarter of 2013, decreased 8.7% compared to the second quarter of 2012. Write-downs of valuations of other real estate owned (OREO) were $96,000 in the second quarter of 2013, well below the $257,000 amount in the second quarter of 2012. Also affecting this category in the second quarter of 2013 was a $270,000 write-down of a municipal note that had previously been taken as collateral on a loan that had been charged-off in prior periods.

 

Total Assets. Total assets of Firstbank Corporation at June 30, 2013, were $1.457 billion, a decrease of 1.9% from year-ago. Total portfolio loans of $975 million increased 1.4% from the level at March 31, 2013, although reaching a level still 1.3% less than year-ago. Commercial and commercial real estate loans increased 0.4% in the second quarter of 2013, but were 2.7% less than year ago, and real estate construction loans decreased 2.6% from year ago, including a 3.2% decrease in the second quarter of 2013. Residential mortgage loans increased 2.9% in the second quarter of 2013, but were 0.2% less than year ago. Consumer loans increased 5.4% in the second quarter of 2013 and were 4.3% above year ago. Firstbank continues to have ample capital and funding resources to increase loans on its balance sheet, although demand for funds for new ventures by quality borrowers remains weak. Strong mortgage refinance activity has resulted in many mortgage loans being financed in the secondary market rather than on the balance sheet of the company. Total deposits as of June 30, 2013, were $1.208 billion, compared to $1.212 billion at June 30, 2012, a decrease of 0.3%. Core deposits at June 30, 2013, were 0.2% below the year-ago level, and they decreased $48.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, mostly in interest bearing demand and time deposits. Until more loan demand materializes and excess liquidity is deployed into loans, deposit growth can receive less emphasis.

 

Net Charge-offs. Net charge-offs were $1,161,000 in the second quarter of 2013, decreasing from $1,770,000 in the first quarter of 2013 and decreasing from $2,192,000 in the second quarter of 2012. In the second quarter of 2013, net charge-offs annualized represented 0.48% of average loans, down significantly from 0.73% in the first quarter of 2013 and 0.89% in the second quarter of 2012.

 

Allowance and Asset Quality. At the end of the second quarter of 2013 the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans was 2.08%, compared to 2.17% at March 31, 2013, and 2.18% at June 30, 2012. Performing adjusted loans (troubled debt restructurings, or TDRs) were $21,815,000 at June 30, 2013, compared to $20,898,000 at March 31, 2013, and $19,274,000 at June 30, 2012. Loans past due over 90 days and accruing interest were $18,000 at June 30, 2013, compared to $64,000 at March 31, 2013, and reduced from the $558,000 amount at June 30, 2012. Non-accrual loans were $11,849,000 at June 30, 2013, a decrease of 7.9% from the level at March 31, 2013, and a decrease of 33.7% from the $17,875,000 amount at June 30, 2012.

 

Other real estate owned decreased to $2,504,000 at June 30, 2013, compared to the $3,541,000 level at March 31, 2013, and was down 33% from the $3,741,000 level at June 30, 2012.

 

Equity to Assets Ratio. The ratio of average equity to average assets remained a strong 9.8% in the second quarter of 2013, the same as in the prior quarter. The decline in this ratio from 10.4% in the second quarter of 2012 reflects the repurchase in 2012 of $16 million of the original $33 million outstanding of preferred stock and the repurchase and retirement of all outstanding warrants. On June 14, 2013, Firstbank redeemed all of the remaining $17 million outstanding preferred stock, and at June 30, 2013, after this redemption of preferred stock, the ratio of equity to assets was 9.1%, still quite strong. Firstbank Corporation’s affiliate banks continue to meet regulatory well-capitalized requirements.

  

 
 

 

 

Firstbank Corporation, headquartered in Alma, Michigan, is a bank holding company using a community bank local decision-making format with assets of $1.5 billion and 46 banking offices serving Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

 

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “hopeful,” “potential,” “should,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, future business growth, changes in interest rates, loan charge-off rates, demand for new loans, future profitability, and the resolution of problem loans. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services, interest rates and fees for services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

 

 
 

 

   

FIRSTBANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

UNAUDITED


 

Three Months Ended:

Six Months Ended:

 

Jun 30

2013

Mar 31

2013

Jun 30

2012

Jun 30

2013

Jun 30

2012

Interest income:

                                       

Interest and fees on loans

  $ 13,399   $ 13,284   $ 14,493   $ 26,683   $ 29,061

Investment securities

                                       

Taxable

    865     962     1,183     1,827     2,404

Exempt from federal income tax

    432     371     290     803     573

Short term investments

    55     55     54     110     108

Total interest income

    14,751     14,672     16,020     29,423     32,146
                                         

Interest expense:

                                       

Deposits

    1,237     1,350     1,718     2,587     3,610

Notes payable and other borrowing

    323     310     463     633     930

Total interest expense

    1,560     1,660     2,181     3,220     4,540
                                         

Net interest income

    13,191     13,012     13,839     26,203     27,606

Provision for loan losses

    552     1,278     2,494     1,830     4,988

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    12,639     11,734     11,345     24,373     22,618
                                         

Noninterest income:

                                       

Gain on sale of mortgage loans

    1,467     1,561     1,460     3,028     3,155

Service charges on deposit accounts

    1,044     1,020     1,060     2,064     2,118

Gain on trading account securities

    6     0     5     6     6

Gain on sale of AFS securities

    2     50     27     52     40

Mortgage servicing

    (27 )     (136 )     15     (163 )     (79 )

Other

    481     400     462     881     1,003

Total noninterest income

    2,973     2,895     3,029     5,868     6,243
                                         

Noninterest expense:

                                       

Salaries and employee benefits

    5,705     5,918     5,468     11,623     11,138

Occupancy and equipment

    1,327     1,359     1,284     2,686     2,645

Amortization of intangibles

    103     102     126     205     271

FDIC insurance premium

    276     259     325     535     699

Other

    3,496     2,963     3,829     6,459     7,326

Total noninterest expense

    10,907     10,601     11,032     21,508     22,079
                                         

Income before federal income taxes

    4,705     4,028     3,342     8,733     6,782

Federal income taxes

    1,362     1,165     938     2,527     1,961

Net Income

    3,343     2,863     2,404     6,206     4,821

Preferred Stock Dividends

    266     215     420     481     840

Net Income available to Common Shareholders

  $ 3,077   $ 2,648   $ 1,984   $ 5,725   $ 3,981
                                         

Fully Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income

  $ 13,438   $ 13,232   $ 14,023   $ 26,670   $ 27,919

Per Share Data:

                                       

Basic Earnings

  $ 0.38   $ 0.33   $ 0.25   $ 0.71   $ 0.50

Diluted Earnings

  $ 0.38   $ 0.33   $ 0.25   $ 0.71   $ 0.50

Dividends Paid

  $ 0.06   $ 0.06   $ 0.01   $ 0.12   $ 0.07
                                         

Performance Ratios:

                                       

Return on Average Assets (a)

    0.90 %     0.77 %     0.65 %     0.83 %     0.65 %

Return on Average Equity (a)

    9.1 %     7.9 %     6.3 %     8.5 %     6.3 %

Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a)

    3.89 %     3.83 %     4.05 %     3.86 %     4.04 %

Book Value Per Share (b)

  $ 16.41   $ 16.49   $ 16.14   $ 16.41   $ 16.14

Tangible Book Value per Share (b)

  $ 11.92   $ 11.96   $ 11.52   $ 11.92   $ 11.52

Average Equity/Average Assets

    9.8 %     9.8 %     10.4 %     9.8 %     10.4 %

Net Charge-offs

  $ 1,161   $ 1,770   $ 2,192   $ 2,931   $ 4,485

Net Charge-offs as a % of Average Loans (c)(a)

    0.48 %     0.73 %     0.89 %     0.61 %     0.91 %

(a) Annualized

                                       

(b) Period End

                       

`

       

(c) Total loans less loans held for sale

                                       

  

 
 

 

  

FIRSTBANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

UNAUDITED


 

Jun 30

2013

Mar 31

2013

Dec 31

2012

Jun 30

2012

ASSETS

                               
                                 

Cash and cash equivalents:

                               

Cash and due from banks

  $ 14,132   $ 23,275   $ 38,544   $ 29,340

Short term investments

    40,298     90,419     63,984     64,759

Total cash and cash equivalents

    54,430     113,694     102,528     94,099
                                 

Securities available for sale

    351,022     360,942     353,684     326,680

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

    7,266     7,266     7,266     7,266

Loans:

                               

Loans held for sale

    992     3,022     2,921     3,857

Portfolio loans:

                               

Commercial

    155,787     150,845     149,265     160,106

Commercial real estate

    356,137     358,957     357,831     365,801

Residential mortgage

    339,054     329,428     331,896     339,663

Real estate construction

    55,138     56,940     58,530     56,599

Consumer

    68,688     65,148     66,240     65,861

Total portfolio loans

    974,804     961,318     963,762     988,030

Less allowance for loan losses

    (20,239 )     (20,848 )     (21,340 )     (21,522 )

Net portfolio loans

    954,565     940,470     942,422     966,508
                                 

Premises and equipment, net

    24,322     24,499     24,356     24,978

Goodwill

    35,513     35,513     35,513     35,513

Other intangibles

    761     863     965     1,177

Other assets

    28,175     29,234     29,107     25,660

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 1,457,046   $ 1,515,503   $ 1,498,762   $ 1,485,738
                                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                               
                                 

LIABILITIES

                               
                                 

Deposits:

                               

Noninterest bearing accounts

  $ 251,742   $ 243,126   $ 251,109   $ 217,824

Interest bearing accounts:

                               

Demand

    338,168     371,929     348,598     330,582

Savings

    273,921     281,043     265,323     258,607

Time

    327,596     343,495     358,791     386,762

Wholesale CD's

    16,875     17,285     17,580     18,071

Total deposits

    1,208,302     1,256,878     1,241,401     1,211,846
                                 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and overnight borrowings

    43,661     43,065     42,785     45,746

FHLB Advances and notes payable

    27,862     19,959     22,493     24,334

Subordinated Debt

    36,084     36,084     36,084     36,084

Accrued interest and other liabilities

    8,693     10,150     8,941     22,585

Total liabilities

    1,324,602     1,366,136     1,351,704     1,340,595
                                 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                               

Preferred stock; no par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 33,000 outstanding

    0     16,912     16,908     16,901

Common stock; 20,000,000 shares authorized

    116,369     115,861     115,621     117,087

Retained earnings

    15,679     13,085     10,921     7,397

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    396     3,509     3,608     3,758

Total shareholders' equity

    132,444     149,367     147,058     145,143

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 1,457,046   $ 1,515,503   $ 1,498,762   $ 1,485,738
                                 

Common stock shares issued and outstanding

    8,070,268     8,032,661     8,001,903     7,945,647

Principal Balance of Loans Serviced for Others ($mil)

  $ 609.9   $ 606.7   $ 608.2   $ 595.3
                                 

Asset Quality Information:

                               

Performing Adjusted Loans (TDRs) (b)

    21,815     20,898     20,720     19,274

Loans Past Due over 90 Days

    18     64     37     558

Non-Accrual Loans

    11,849     12,872     15,668     17,875

Other Real Estate Owned

    2,504     3,541     2,925     3,741

Allowance for Loan Loss as a % of Loans (a)

    2.08 %     2.17 %     2.21 %     2.18 %
                                 

Quarterly Average Balances:

                               

Total Portfolio Loans (a)

  $ 965,722   $ 963,994   $ 968,509   $ 984,898

Total Earning Assets

    1,384,833     1,396,999     1,381,004     1,392,597

Total Shareholders' Equity

    146,755     147,384     145,186     157,080

Total Assets

    1,489,905     1,508,084     1,496,135     1,508,406

Diluted Shares Outstanding

    8,118,717     8,063,604     7,994,996     7,995,343

(a) Total Loans less loans held for sale

                               

(b) Troubled Debt Restructurings in Call Reports