Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - First Bancorp, Inc /ME/a8-kearnings14q1.htm

Exhibit 99.1



The First Bancorp Reports First Quarter Income Up 20.0%

DAMARISCOTTA, ME, April 23, 2014 – The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), today announced unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Net income was $3.4 million, up $572,000 or 20.0% from the first quarter of 2013 and earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis of $0.32 were up $0.05 or 18.5% from the first quarter of 2013.
“When we announced our 2013 year-end results in January, we noted that our performance metrics were moving in a positive direction,” Daniel R. Daigneault, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer observed. “I am happy to report that this positive trend has continued into the first quarter of 2014 with the fifth-best quarterly net income the Company has posted since the economic downturn took hold in late 2008. Credit quality has continued to improve, with non-performing assets and net chargeoffs both returning to late 2008 levels. We also maintained the cash dividend at $0.20 per share per quarter after raising it in the fourth quarter of 2013 for the first time in more than five years.
“Earning assets increased $6.3 million or 0.5% in the first quarter, with the investment portfolio up $13.5 million or 2.8% and the loan portfolio down $7.5 million or 0.9%,” President Daigneault commented. “Compared to a year ago, earning assets have increased $53.6 million or 4.1%, with the investment portfolio up $51.4 million or 11.4% and the loan portfolio up $5.4 million or 0.6%. On the funding side of the balance sheet, low-cost deposits remain strong, and although they were down $4.9 million or 1.2% in the first quarter - in line with our normal seasonal fluctuation - they have increased $41.3 million or 11.4% in the past year.
“Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the first quarter of 2014 was up $618,000 from the first quarter of 2013,” President Daigneault commented, “with $398,000 of the increase due to higher levels of earning assets and $220,000 resulting from an improved net interest margin. After experiencing margin compression for more than five years due to weakness in the economy and unprecedented low interest rates, the downward pressure on our margin ebbed in mid-2013. This is evidenced by an improving trend in our net interest margin over the past three quarters.

1


“A key driver in our first-quarter performance was improved credit quality,” President Daigneault commented. “Non-performing assets stood at 1.30% of total assets as of March 31, 2014 - the lowest level we have seen in five years. This is well below the 2.32% peak in non-performing assets at December 31, 2011, and down from 1.44% at December 31, 2013. Past-due loans were 1.48% of total loans at March 31, 2014, down from 1.82% of total loans at the end of 2013 and at the lowest level seen since 2007.
“Net chargeoffs for the first quarter of 2014 were $259,000 or 0.12% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to $1.3 million or 0.60% of average loans for the first quarter of 2013,” President Daigneault continued. “With significantly lower levels of non-performing assets and net chargeoffs, our provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2014 was only $400,000. This is a 73.3% reduction from the $1,500,000 we provisioned in the first quarter of 2013 and is the lowest quarterly provision we have made since the third quarter of 2007. The allowance for loan losses stood at 1.34% of total loans as of March 31, 2014, up from 1.31% at December 31, 2013 and down from 1.47% a year ago.
“In addition to the lower provision for loan losses, other credit-related costs - including expenses for collections, foreclosure and foreclosed properties - were $370,000 lower in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013,” President Daigneault said. “As a result, our total non-interest expense of $7.3 million for the first quarter of 2014 was $137,000 lower than total non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2013.”
“Our improved performance can also be seen in our operating ratios,” commented F. Stephen Ward, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. “With lower non-interest expense, our efficiency ratio dropped to 55.90% for the first quarter of 2014 from 56.63% for the first quarter of 2013. Our efficiency ratio remains well below the Bank’s December 31, 2013 UBPR peer group average of 67.18%, and it is improving as we grow into the higher expense base attributable to the new Rockland and Bangor offices. Our return on average assets was 0.95% for the first quarter of 2014 compared to 0.82% for the first quarter of 2013, and our return on average tangible common equity was 11.51% compared to 9.45% for the same periods, respectively.
“Our capital levels remain strong,” Mr. Ward said, “with a leverage capital ratio for the Bank of 8.51%, and tier one and tier two risk-based capital ratios of 14.91% and 16.16%, respectively, as of March 31, 2014. The Company’s ratios already exceed the new Basel III capital requirements which will be phased in over the next several years. Good earnings and strong capital are critical elements for the Company to continue paying a cash dividend, and we are pleased to have maintained the

2


dividend at $0.20 per share in the first quarter of 2014 after increasing it in the fourth quarter of 2013. Our generous dividend continues to be one of the major reasons people invest in our stock, especially with a dividend payout ratio of 62.50% and an annualized dividend yield of 4.91% based on the quarter-end closing price of $16.30 per share.”
“The First Bancorp’s price per share at March 31, 2014 was down $1.12 or 6.42% from December 31, 2013,” said President Daigneault, “and when the quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share is added, our total return was -5.33% for the quarter. Although our total return for the first quarter of 2014 lagged the broad market and industry indices, at quarter end we were trading at 1.43 times tangible book value - an excellent valuation for a community bank stock.
“I am pleased that the positive momentum of the economy and success of the Company in 2013 have continued in the first quarter of 2014,” President Daigneault concluded. “After seeing light at the end of the tunnel for the past couple of years, it appears that we finally exited the tunnel in late 2013 and are moving in the right direction. The strength of the economy may not be at the levels experienced in the early 2000s, but it reflects a vitality not seen for several years. The State of Maine economy tends to lag the national economy, and we expect it will see slow improvement as well. As for the Company, we are optimistic that we will continue to experience a reduction in our level of non-performing assets, growth in our new branches in Rockland and Bangor, and additional firming up of our balance sheet.”












3


The First Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
In thousands of dollars
March 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
March 31, 2013
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
13,894

$
16,570

$
16,523

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
2,935

2,562

5,941

Securities available for sale
305,700

305,824

286,369

Securities to be held to maturity
182,853

169,277

150,791

Restricted equity securities, at cost
13,912

13,912

13,912

Loans held for sale
56

83

244

Loans
868,914

876,367

863,477

Less allowance for loan losses
11,655

11,514

12,720

Net loans
857,259

864,853

850,757

Accrued interest receivable
5,962

5,038

5,709

Premises and equipment
23,239

23,616

22,867

Other real estate owned
4,934

4,807

7,387

Goodwill
29,805

29,805

29,805

Other assets
25,568

27,616

26,482

Total assets
$
1,466,117

$
1,463,963

$
1,416,787

Liabilities
 
 
 
Demand deposits
$
94,260

$
106,125

$
81,467

NOW deposits
158,278

151,322

137,356

Money market deposits
89,382

86,730

88,344

Savings deposits
149,076

149,103

141,541

Certificates of deposit
230,762

210,321

198,402

Certificates $100,000 to $250,000
278,185

278,674

293,049

Certificates $250,000 and over
46,027

42,124

35,702

Total deposits
1,045,970

1,024,399

975,861

Borrowed funds
253,519

279,125

261,185

Other liabilities
14,212

14,341

16,070

Total Liabilities
1,313,701

1,317,865

1,253,116

Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock


9,926

Common stock
107

106

106

Additional paid-in capital
58,600

58,395

57,985

Retained earnings
95,288

94,000

90,299

Net unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale
(1,767
)
(6,591
)
5,474

Net unrealized gain/(loss) on postretirement benefit costs
188

188

(119
)
Total shareholders' equity
152,416

146,098

163,671

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity
$
1,466,117

$
1,463,963

$
1,416,787

Common Stock
 
 
 
Number of shares authorized
18,000,000

18,000,000

18,000,000

Number of shares issued and outstanding
10,703,272

10,671,192

10,653,799

Book value per common share
$
14.24

$
13.69

$
14.43

Tangible book value per common share
$
11.40

$
10.83

$
11.55



4


The First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
2014
2013
Interest income
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
8,578

$
8,792

Interest on deposits with other banks
2

2

Interest and dividends on investments
4,043

3,471

     Total interest income
12,623

12,265

Interest expense
 
 
Interest on deposits
1,825

1,987

Interest on borrowed funds
1,087

1,115

     Total interest expense
2,912

3,102

Net interest income
9,711

9,163

Provision for loan losses
400

1,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
9,311

7,663

Non-interest income
 
 
Investment management and fiduciary income
517

449

Service charges on deposit accounts
619

648

Net securities gains
36

299

Mortgage origination and servicing income
194

896

Other operating income
966

996

     Total non-interest income
2,332

3,288

Non-interest expense
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
3,697

3,474

Occupancy expense
612

547

Furniture and equipment expense
697

622

FDIC insurance premiums
265

290

Amortization of identified intangibles
82

82

Other operating expense
1,899

2,374

     Total non-interest expense
7,252

7,389

Income before income taxes
4,391

3,562

Applicable income taxes
963

706

Net Income
$
3,428

$
2,856

Basic earnings per share
$
0.32

$
0.27

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.32

$
0.27



5


The First Bancorp
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
 
Dollars in thousands,
For the three months ended March 31,
except for per share amounts
2014
2013
 
 
 
Summary of Operations
 
 
Interest Income
$
12,623

$
12,265

Interest Expense
2,912

3,102

Net Interest Income
9,711

9,163

Provision for Loan Losses
400

1,500

Non-Interest Income
2,332

3,288

Non-Interest Expense
7,252

7,389

Net Income
3,428

2,856

Per Common Share Data
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
0.32

$
0.27

Diluted Earnings per Share
0.32

0.27

Cash Dividends Declared
0.200

0.195

Book Value per Common Share
14.24

14.43

Tangible Book Value per Common Share
11.40

11.55

Market Value
16.30

18.01

Financial Ratios
 
 
Return on Average Equity (a)
9.19
%
7.96
%
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (a)
11.51
%
9.45
%
Return on Average Assets (a)
0.95
%
0.82
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
10.29
%
11.13
%
Average Tangible Equity to Average Assets
8.22
%
8.96
%
Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent (a)
3.13
%
3.06
%
Dividend Payout Ratio
62.50
%
72.22
%
Allowance for Loan Losses/Total Loans
1.34
%
1.47
%
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans
1.63
%
2.42
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
1.30
%
2.00
%
Efficiency Ratio
55.90
%
56.63
%
At Period End
 
 
Total Assets
$
1,466,117

$
1,416,787

Total Loans
868,914

863,477

Total Investment Securities
502,465

451,072

Total Deposits
1,045,970

975,861

Total Shareholders' Equity
152,416

163,671

(a) Annualized using a 365-day basis for both years





6


Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain information in this release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management uses these “non-GAAP” measures in its analysis of the Company's performance and believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. The Company believes that a meaningful analysis of its financial performance requires an understanding of the factors underlying that performance. Management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
In several places net interest income is calculated on a fully tax-equivalent basis. Specifically included in interest income was tax-exempt interest income from certain investment securities and loans. An amount equal to the tax benefit derived from this tax-exempt income has been added back to the interest income total, which adjustments increased net interest income accordingly. Management believes the disclosure of tax-equivalent net interest income information improves the clarity of financial analysis, and is particularly useful to investors in understanding and evaluating the changes and trends in the Company's results of operations. Other financial institutions commonly present net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis. This adjustment is considered helpful in the comparison of one financial institution's net interest income to that of another institution, as each will have a different proportion of tax-exempt interest from its earning assets. Moreover, net interest income is a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, other financial institutions generally use tax-equivalent net interest income to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution. The Company follows these practices.
The following table provides a reconciliation of tax-equivalent financial information to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. A 35.0% tax rate was used in both 2014 and 2013.

7


 
For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
3/31/2014
3/31/2013
Net interest income as presented
$
9,711

$
9,163

Effect of tax-exempt income
921

851

Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
10,632

$
10,014

The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP information. The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is noninterest expenses divided by net interest income plus noninterest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes securities losses and other-than-temporary impairment charges from noninterest expenses, excludes securities gains from noninterest income, and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. The following table provides a reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP efficiency ratio:
 
For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
3/31/14
3/31/13
Non-interest expense, as presented
$
7,252

$
7,389

Net interest income, as presented
9,711

9,163

Effect of tax-exempt income
921

851

Non-interest income, as presented
2,332

3,288

Effect of non-interest tax-exempt income
45

44

Net securities gains
(36
)
(299
)
Adjusted net interest income plus non-interest income
$
12,973

$
13,047

Non-GAAP efficiency ratio
55.90
%
56.63
%
GAAP efficiency ratio
60.22
%
59.34
%

The Company presents certain information based upon average tangible common equity instead of total average shareholders' equity. The difference between these two measures is the Company's preferred stock and intangible assets, specifically goodwill from prior acquisitions. Management, banking regulators and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and the tangible book value per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase accounting method in accounting for mergers and acquisitions. The following table provides a reconciliation of average tangible common equity to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles:

8


 
For the three months ended
In thousands of dollars
3/31/14
3/31/13
Average shareholders' equity as presented
$
151,217

$
157,844

  Less preferred stock

(12,263
)
  Less intangible assets
(30,461
)
(30,787
)
Tangible average shareholders' equity
$
120,756

$
114,794


Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially, as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additional Information
For more information, please contact F. Stephen Ward, The First Bancorp's Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer, at 207.563.3272.





9