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8-K - FORM 8-K FOR OCT 21, 2013 - PEOPLES BANCORP OF NORTH CAROLINA INCform8kforoct212013.htm
EXHIBIT (99)(a)
       
       
NEWS RELEASE
   
       
   
October 21, 2013
 
Contact:
Lance A. Sellers
   
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
       
 
A. Joseph Lampron, Jr.
   
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
       
 
828-464-5620, Fax 828-465-6780
   
       
For Immediate Release
 
   
PEOPLES BANCORP ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS RESULTS
Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEBK), the parent company of Peoples Bank, reported third quarter earnings results with highlights as follows:

Highlights:

·  
Net earnings were $1.9 million or $0.34 basic and diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2013, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to $1.4 million or $0.25 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Net earnings available to common shareholders were $1.8 million or $0.31 basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $1.3 million or $0.23 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.
·  
Earnings before securities gains and income taxes were $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1.8 million for the same period one year ago.
·  
Core deposits were $678.0 million, or 84.9% of total deposits at September 30, 2013, compared to $624.5 million, or 81.3% of total deposits at September 30, 2012.
 
Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in third quarter earnings to a decrease in the provision for loan losses, a decrease in non-interest expense, an increase in non-interest income and an increase in net interest income.
 
Net interest income was $7.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $7.8 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase was primarily due to a decrease in interest expense due to a reduction in the cost of funds and a reduction in interest bearing liabilities, which were partially offset by a decrease in interest income resulting from a decrease in loans and a decrease in the yield on earning assets.  Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased to $7.6 million during the third quarter of 2013, compared to $7.1 million for the same period one year ago.  The provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $337,000, as compared to $761,000 for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $4.7 million reduction in non-accrual loans from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013 and a reduction in net charge-offs of $338,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest income was $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $2.9 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase is primarily attributable to a $215,000 reduction in losses and write-downs on other real estate owned properties for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest expense was $7.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $8.2 million for the same period one year ago.  This decrease is primarily attributable to a $329,000 decrease in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period one year ago.    The decrease in non-interest expenses other than salary, employee benefits and occupancy expenses is primarily due to a $121,000 decrease in foreclosure related expenses in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of
 
 
5

 
 
2012 and $62,000 in expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2012 as a result of the Company’s purchase of 12,530 shares of the Company’s 25,054 outstanding shares of preferred stock from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“UST”), which was issued to the UST in connection with the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program under the Troubled Asset Relief Program in 2008.
 
Year-to-date net earnings as of September 30, 2013 were $5.3 million, or $0.95 basic net earnings per share and $0.94 diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, as compared to $4.6 million, or $0.83 basic and diluted net earnings per share, before adjustment for preferred stock dividends and accretion, for the same period one year ago.  After adjusting for dividends and accretion on preferred stock, net earnings available to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $4.8 million, or $0.86 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, as compared to $3.7 million, or $0.67 basic and diluted net earnings per common share, for the same period one year ago.  The increase in year-to-date earnings is primarily attributable to a decrease in the provision for loan losses, which was partially offset by an aggregate decrease in net interest income and an aggregate increase in non-interest expense, as discussed below.
 
Year-to-date net interest income as of September 30, 2013 decreased 3.0% to $23.1 million compared to $23.8 million for the same period one year ago.   This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in interest income resulting from decreases in the year-to-date average balances outstanding on loans and a decrease in the yield on earning assets, which were partially offset by a decrease in interest expense due to a reduction in the cost of funds and a reduction in interest bearing liabilities.  Net interest income after the provision for loan losses increased 7.9% to $20.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $19.4 million for the same period one year ago.  The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $2.2 million, as compared to $4.4 million for the same period one year ago.  The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a $1.7 million decrease in net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period one year ago and a $4.7 million reduction in non-accrual loans from September 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013.
 
Non-interest income was $9.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  Decreases in services charges and fees, mortgage banking income and gain on sale of securities, were offset by a $426,000 reduction in losses and write-downs on other real estate owned properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Non-interest expense was $23.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $23.3 million for the same period one year ago.  This increase is primarily due to a $654,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, which was primarily due to salary increases, an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees and an increase in sales incentive expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same period one year ago.
 
Total assets amounted to $1.0 billion as of September 30, 2013 and 2012.  Available for sale securities increased 7.1% to $301.8 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to $281.8 million as of September 30, 2012.  This increase reflects the investment of additional funds received from growth in deposits and a decrease in loans.  Total loans amounted to $617.1 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to $625.8 million as of September 30, 2012.  This decrease is primarily due to the anticipated reduction in existing loans through the work-through of problem loans and normal principal repayments, which have exceeded loan originations.
 
Non-performing assets declined to $19.1 million or 1.8% of total assets at September 30, 2013, compared to $27.8 million or 2.8% of total assets at September 30, 2012, primarily due to a $4.7 million decrease in non-accrual loans and a $3.8 million
 
 
6

 
 
decrease in other real estate owned.  Non-performing loans include $7.0 million in (“AD&C”) loans, $9.2 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $153,000 in other loans at September 30, 2013, as compared to $10.9 million in AD&C loans, $9.9 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $481,000 in other loans at September 30, 2012.  The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2013 was $13.9 million or 2.3% of total loans, compared to $16.6 million or 2.6% of total loans at September 30, 2012.  According to Mr. Sellers, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate; however, there is no assurance that additional adjustments to the allowance will not be required because of changes in economic conditions, regulatory requirements or other factors.
 
Deposits amounted to $798.3 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to $768.5 million at September 30, 2012.  Core deposits, which include non-interest bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposit of denominations less than $100,000, increased $53.5 million to $678.0 million at September 30, 2013, as compared to $624.5 million at September 30, 2012.  Certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more totaled $120.2 million at September 30, 2013, as compared to $143.2 million at September 30, 2012.  This decrease is attributable to a $5.9 million decrease in brokered certificates of deposit combined with a decrease in retail certificates of deposit as intended as part of the Bank’s pricing strategy to allow maturing high cost certificates of deposit to roll-off.
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $48.2 million at September 30, 2013, as compared to $43.1 million at September 30, 2012.
 
Shareholders’ equity was $95.7 million, or 9.2% of total assets, as of September 30, 2013, compared to $96.8 million, or 9.6% of total assets, as of September 30, 2012.
 
Peoples Bank operates 22 offices entirely in North Carolina, with offices in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Union, Iredell and Wake Counties.  The Company’s common stock is publicly traded and is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PEBK.”
 
 
Statements made in this press release, other than those concerning historical information, should be considered forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management and on the information available to management at the time that this release was prepared.  These statements can be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions.  Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by Peoples Bank, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectibility of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations and (7) other risks and factors identified in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  including but not limited to those described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 

 
7

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
         
September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012
         
(Dollars in thousands)
         
             
             
             
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Audited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS:
           
Cash and due from banks
$ 53,977   $ 32,617   $ 24,323  
Interest bearing deposits
  26,973     16,226     31,581  
Cash and cash equivalents
  80,950     48,843     55,904  
                   
Investment securities available for sale
  301,788     297,823     281,785  
Other investments
  5,215     5,599     5,599  
Total securities
  307,003     303,422     287,384  
                   
Mortgage loans held for sale
  2,201     6,922     5,984  
                   
Loans
  617,061     619,974     625,782  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
  (13,854 )   (14,423 )   (16,551 )
Net loans
  603,207     605,551     609,231  
                   
Premises and equipment, net
  16,543     15,874     16,091  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  13,597     13,273     13,142  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
  19,240     19,631     18,872  
Total assets
$ 1,042,741   $ 1,013,516   $ 1,006,608  
                   
                   
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                 
Deposits:
                 
Non-interest bearing demand
$ 188,860   $ 161,582   $ 152,281  
NOW, MMDA & savings
  384,429     371,719     354,386  
Time, $100,000 or more
  120,153     134,733     143,189  
Other time
  104,849     113,491     118,614  
Total deposits
  798,291     781,525     768,470  
                   
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  48,174     34,578     43,136  
FHLB borrowings
  70,000     70,000     70,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
  20,619     20,619     20,619  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
  9,985     9,047     7,549  
Total liabilities
  947,069     915,769     909,774  
                   
Shareholders' equity:
                 
Series A preferred stock, $1,000 stated value; authorized
                 
5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
12,524 shares at 9/30/13 and 12/31/12
  12,524     12,524     12,524  
Common stock, no par value; authorized
                 
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
                 
5,613,495 shares at 9/30/13 and 12/31/12
  48,133     48,133     48,004  
Retained earnings
  35,810     31,478     30,815  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
  (795 )   5,612     5,491  
Total shareholders' equity
  95,672     97,747     96,834  
                   
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 1,042,741   $ 1,013,516   $ 1,006,608  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
         
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
         
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
         
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
INTEREST INCOME:
               
Interest and fees on loans
$ 7,592   $ 8,170   $ 22,671   $ 24,822  
Interest on due from banks
  22     15     62     34  
Interest on investment securities:
                       
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
  307     519     970     2,327  
State and political subdivisions
  1,179     877     3,233     2,463  
Other
  88     74     264     206  
Total interest income
  9,188     9,655     27,200     29,852  
                         
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                       
NOW, MMDA & savings deposits
  160     274     578     913  
Time deposits
  396     737     1,285     2,632  
FHLB borrowings
  618     689     1,914     2,064  
Junior subordinated debentures
  100     110     299     332  
Other
  11     32     43     105  
Total interest expense
  1,285     1,842     4,119     6,046  
                         
NET INTEREST INCOME
  7,903     7,813     23,081     23,806  
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  337     761     2,164     4,413  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
                       
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
  7,566     7,052     20,917     19,393  
                         
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
                       
Service charges
  1,189     1,222     3,333     3,601  
Other service charges and fees
  258     417     900     1,532  
Gain on sale of securities
  -       12     614     1,203  
Mortgage banking income
  301     296     1,000     793  
Insurance and brokerage commissions
  161     150     478     404  
Miscellaneous
  1,202     789     3,522     2,325  
Total non-interest income
  3,111     2,886     9,847     9,858  
                         
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
  4,183     4,187     12,614     11,960  
Occupancy
  1,357     1,291     3,988     3,891  
Other
  2,349     2,678     7,004     7,420  
Total non-interest expense
  7,889     8,156     23,606     23,271  
                         
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
  2,788     1,782     7,158     5,980  
INCOME TAXES
  870     369     1,848     1,400  
                         
NET EARNINGS
  1,918     1,413     5,310     4,580  
                         
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
  156     157     470     853  
                         
NET EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO
                       
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
$ 1,762   $ 1,256   $ 4,840   $ 3,727  
                         
PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS
                       
Basic net earnings
$ 0.31   $ 0.23   $ 0.86   $ 0.67  
Diluted net earnings
$ 0.31   $ 0.23   $ 0.86   $ 0.67  
Cash dividends
$ 0.03   $ 0.02   $ 0.09   $ 0.11  
Book value
$ 14.81   $ 15.06   $ 14.81   $ 15.06  
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
       
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
       
(Dollars in thousands)
       
                 
                 
                 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
               
Available for sale securities
$ 296,936   $ 278,872   $ 291,524   $ 292,102  
Loans
  612,716     639,402     613,727     655,051  
Earning assets
  951,128     950,536     947,001     973,697  
Assets
  1,028,123     1,014,334     1,017,895     1,036,686  
Deposits
  791,991     772,483     783,403     791,663  
Shareholders' equity
  94,902     96,940     99,906     104,355  
                         
                         
SELECTED KEY DATA:
                       
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
  3.54%     3.45%     3.48%     3.43%  
Return on average assets
  0.74%     0.55%     0.70%     0.59%  
Return on average shareholders' equity
  8.02%     5.80%     7.11%     5.86%  
Shareholders' equity to total assets (period end)
  9.18%     9.62%     9.18%     9.62%  
                         
                         
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
                       
Balance, beginning of period
$ 14,029   $ 16,640   $ 14,423   $ 16,604  
Provision for loan losses
  337     761     2,164     4,413  
Charge-offs
  (970 )   (1,266 )   (3,483 )   (5,642 )
Recoveries
  458     416     750     1,176  
Balance, end of period
$ 13,854   $ 16,551   $ 13,854   $ 16,551  
                         
                         
ASSET QUALITY:
                       
Non-accrual loans
            $ 14,144   $ 18,839  
90 days past due and still accruing
              2,173     2,398  
Other real estate owned
              2,751     6,595  
Repossessed assets
              -       5  
Total non-performing assets
            $ 19,068   $ 27,837  
Non-performing assets to total assets
              1.83%     2.77%  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets
              72.65%     59.46%  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
              2.25%     2.64%  
 
 
LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
Percentage of Loans
 
By Risk Grade
 
09/30/2013
 
09/30/2012
Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)
2.73%
 
2.94%
Risk Grade 2 (high quality)
18.54%
 
16.69%
Risk Grade 3 (good quality)
49.89%
 
46.65%
Risk Grade 4 (management attention)
18.17%
 
21.75%
Risk Grade 5 (watch)
5.22%
 
4.66%
Risk Grade 6 (substandard)
5.16%
 
6.90%
Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)
0.00%
 
0.00%
Risk Grade 8 (loss)
0.00%
 
0.00%
       
At September 30, 2013, including non-accrual loans, there were seven relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade (which totaled $12.6 million) and four relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade (which totaled $10.3 million). There was one relationship with loans in both the Watch and Substandard risk grades, which totaled $1.2 million for loans in both risk grades combined.
       
(END)