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8-K - 8-K - ARROW FINANCIAL CORPform8kq42014earningsrelease.htm


250 Glen Street
Glens Falls, NY
NASDAQ® Symbol: "AROW"
Website: arrowfinancial.com

Contact: Timothy C. Badger
Tel: (518) 415-4307
Fax: (518) 745-1976


Arrow Reports Record Earnings for 2014; Over 11% Loan Growth

Net income for 2014 reached a new record high of $23.4 million.
Diluted earnings per share was a record $1.85 for the twelve months of 2014; it was $0.50 in the fourth quarter, up 8.7% over the comparable 2013 quarter.
Fourth-quarter net interest income rose 6.7%, or $1.1 million, year over year.
Record period-end loan portfolio balances, with loan growth of 11.6% since our prior year-end.
Income from fiduciary activities was up 10.9% for the twelve months of 2014 as compared to 2013.

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (January 21, 2015) -- Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS® – AROW) announced operating results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2014. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $6.4 million, an increase of $585,000, or 10.1%, from net income of $5.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.50, an increase of 8.7% from the comparable 2013 quarter, when diluted EPS was $0.46. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net income was a record $23.4 million, up 7.2% over net income of $21.8 million for 2013, while diluted EPS was a record $1.85, up 6.9% over $1.73 in 2013. Return on average equity and return on average assets were 11.79% and 1.07%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to 12.11% and 1.04%, respectively, for 2013.

Arrow President and CEO Tom Murphy stated, "Arrow's 2014 performance was very strong, thanks to the combined efforts of our team. A major highlight for the year was the double-digit growth of our loan portfolio to a record high at year-end, while maintaining our commitment to strong asset quality. Record highs were also reached for net income, assets under trust administration and total equity at year-end, and our profitability measurements remained strong. I am very proud of our entire staff for achieving these results."

The following list expands on our fourth-quarter and year-to-date results:

Net Interest Income: Our net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $1.1 million, or 6.7%, in the fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, due primarily to an increase in the average level of interest-earning assets between the periods and a decrease in our cost of funds. Our tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.17% for the fourth quarter of 2014, up from 3.06% in the fourth quarter of 2013, although down slightly from 3.21% in the third quarter of 2014. While the yield on earning assets held steady compared to the prior-year period, the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities decreased significantly as these liabilities have continued to reprice downward in this low interest rate environment. Our average cost of funds in the fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to the prior-year period, fell 12 basis points from 0.40% to 0.28%; our average yield on earning assets increased by one basis point.

Loan Growth: At December 31, 2014, our loan portfolio reached a record high of $1.413 billion, up $146.8 million, or 11.6%, from the prior-year level, due to growth in all three of our major segments: residential real estate, commercial and commercial real estate, and automobile.

The outstanding balance of our residential real estate loan portfolio at December 31, 2014, was 16.5% higher than at year-end 2013. During 2014, we originated over $131.2 million of residential real estate loans, up 10.3% from approximately $118.9 million in 2013. We retained more residential real estate loan originations in 2014 than we sold as yields began to rise. Our gain on the sale of residential real estate

1



loan originations in 2014 was significantly less than our gain on the sale of originations in 2013 due both to a decrease in the amount of loans sold and to a narrowing of the premium received on these sales.

Trust Assets and Related Noninterest Income: Assets under trust administration and investment management at December 31, 2014, rose to a record high of $1.227 billion, an increase of $52 million, or 4.5%, from the December 31, 2013, balance of $1.175 billion. The growth in balances was generally attributable to an increase in the market value of accounts, principally reflecting improvements in the equity markets during the year, and the addition of new accounts. For the 2014 fourth quarter, income from fiduciary activities of $1.8 million was up 6.6% from the same period in 2013.

Insurance Agency Operations: Insurance income for 2014 rose $560,000, or 6.3%, to $9.5 million from $8.9 million in 2013. This increase was attributable to organic growth of insurance commissions within our agency operations.

Asset Quality: Asset quality remained strong, as measured by our low level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs. Nonperforming assets of $8.2 million at December 31, 2014, represented only 0.37% of period-end assets, a ratio that is below industry averages and unchanged from the prior year-end. Our net loan losses for the full year were 0.05% for 2014 and 0.09% for 2013. Net loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2014, expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding, were 0.05%, also lower than our peer group and industry averages.

Our allowance for loan losses was $15.6 million at December 31, 2014, which represented 1.10% of loans outstanding, a decrease of four basis points from our ratio of 1.14% at year-end 2013.

Cash and Stock Dividends: A cash dividend of $0.25 per share was paid to our shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2014, 2% higher than the cash dividend paid in the 2013 quarter. This represents the 21st consecutive year of an increased cash dividend. In September 2014, we distributed a 2% stock dividend. All prior-period and per share data have been adjusted accordingly.

Capital: Total shareholders’ equity grew to a record $200.9 million at period-end, an increase of $8.8 million, or 4.6%, above the year-end 2013 balance. Arrow's capital ratios remained strong in 2014. At December 31, 2014, the Tier 1 leverage ratio at the holding company level was 9.44%, up from 9.19% at year-end 2013, and total risk-based capital ratio was 15.54%, as compared to 15.77% for the prior year. The capital ratios of the Company and both of its subsidiary banks continue to significantly exceed the “well capitalized” regulatory standards, which places us in the highest current regulatory category.

Peer Group: Many of our key operating ratios have consistently compared very favorably to our peer group, which we define as all U.S. bank holding companies having $1.0 to $3.0 billion in total assets, as identified in the Federal Reserve Bank’s "Bank Holding Company Performance Report" (FRB Report). The most current peer data available in the FRB Report is for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, in which our return on average equity (ROE) was 11.52%, as compared to 8.44% for our peer group.

Our ratio of loans 90 days past due and accruing, plus nonaccrual loans to total loans was 0.55% as of September 30, 2014, as compared to 1.14% for our peer group, while our annualized net loan losses of 0.06% for the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2014, were well below the peer result of 0.15%.

Overall, our operating results and asset quality ratios have withstood the economic stress of recent years much better than most banks in our national peer group.

Industry Recognition: In the fourth quarter, Arrow was named to the Sandler O’Neill "Sm-All Stars Class of 2014," a list of 35 top-performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the country. To create the list, Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. evaluated all 443 publicly traded banks and thrifts with a market cap between $25

2



million and $2.5 billion based on growth, profitability, credit quality and capital strength metrics. Arrow was one of a dozen newcomers named to the Class of 2014, and the only bank based in Upstate New York.

In addition, Arrow's banking subsidiaries were each recognized as a 5-Star Superior bank by BauerFinancial, Inc., a national bank rating and research firm, based on September 30, 2014, financial data. Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company have each earned this designation for the past 31 and 23 quarters, respectively.

Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, New York, serving the financial needs of northeastern New York. The Company is the parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Other subsidiaries include North Country Investment Advisers, Inc.; three property and casualty insurance agencies: Loomis & LaPann, Inc., Upstate Agency, LLC, and McPhillips Insurance Agency, a division of Glens Falls National Insurance Agencies, LLC; and Capital Financial Group, Inc., an insurance agency specializing in the sale and servicing of group health plans.

The information contained in this News Release may contain statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections about the future. These statements may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, involving a degree of uncertainty and attendant risk. In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast, explicitly or by implication. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. This News Release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


3



ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and Fees on Loans
$
13,758

 
$
13,040

 
$
53,194

 
$
51,319

Interest on Deposits at Banks
39

 
32

 
80

 
89

Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fully Taxable
1,986

 
1,912

 
7,954

 
6,903

Exempt from Federal Taxes
1,357

 
1,475

 
5,633

 
5,827

Total Interest and Dividend Income
17,140

 
16,459

 
66,861

 
64,138

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW Accounts
377

 
474

 
1,722

 
2,461

Savings Deposits
176

 
239

 
839

 
1,024

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More
144

 
277

 
770

 
1,198

Other Time Deposits
269

 
433

 
1,354

 
1,962

Federal Funds Purchased and
  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
7

 
4

 
22

 
18

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
103

 
141

 
490

 
680

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to
  Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts
143

 
145

 
570

 
579

Total Interest Expense
1,219

 
1,713

 
5,767

 
7,922

NET INTEREST INCOME
15,921

 
14,746

 
61,094

 
56,216

Provision for Loan Losses
441

 

 
1,848

 
200

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR
   LOAN LOSSES
15,480

 
14,746

 
59,246

 
56,016

NONINTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income From Fiduciary Activities
1,828

 
1,715

 
7,468

 
6,735

Fees for Other Services to Customers
2,337

 
2,351

 
9,261

 
9,407

Insurance Commissions
2,267

 
2,287

 
9,455

 
8,895

Net Gain on Securities Transactions

 

 
110

 
540

Net Gain on Sales of Loans
282

 
189

 
784

 
1,460

Other Operating Income
346

 
335

 
1,238

 
1,024

Total Noninterest Income
7,060

 
6,877

 
28,316

 
28,061

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and Employee Benefits
7,638

 
8,068

 
30,941

 
31,182

Occupancy Expenses, Net
2,067

 
2,008

 
8,990

 
8,285

FDIC Assessments
289

 
280

 
1,117

 
1,080

Other Operating Expense
3,305

 
3,029

 
12,980

 
12,656

Total Noninterest Expense
13,299

 
13,385

 
54,028

 
53,203

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
9,241

 
8,238

 
33,534

 
30,874

Provision for Income Taxes
2,872

 
2,454

 
10,174

 
9,079

NET INCOME
$
6,369

 
$
5,784

 
$
23,360

 
$
21,795

Average Shares Outstanding1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
12,614

 
12,586

 
12,604

 
12,542

Diluted
12,655

 
12,634

 
12,633

 
12,573

Per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings
$
0.50

 
$
0.46

 
$
1.85

 
$
1.74

Diluted Earnings
0.50

 
0.46

 
1.85

 
1.73

1 Share and per share data have been restated for the September 29, 2014, 2% stock dividend.
 
 
 


4



ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and Due From Banks
$
35,081

 
$
37,275

Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks
11,214

 
12,705

Investment Securities:
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale
366,139

 
457,606

Held-to-Maturity (Approximate Fair Value of $308,566 at
  December 31, 2014, and $302,305 at December 31, 2013)
302,024

 
299,261

Other Investments
4,851

 
6,281

Loans
1,413,268

 
1,266,472

Allowance for Loan Losses
(15,570
)
 
(14,434
)
Net Loans
1,397,698

 
1,252,038

Premises and Equipment, Net
28,488

 
29,154

Goodwill
22,003

 
22,003

Other Intangible Assets, Net
3,625

 
4,140

Other Assets
46,297

 
43,235

Total Assets
$
2,217,420

 
$
2,163,698

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits
$
300,786

 
$
278,958

NOW Accounts
871,671

 
817,366

Savings Deposits
524,648

 
498,779

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More
61,797

 
78,928

Other Time Deposits
144,046

 
168,299

Total Deposits
1,902,948

 
1,842,330

Federal Funds Purchased and
  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
19,421

 
11,777

Federal Home Loan Bank Overnight Advances
41,000

 
53,000

Federal Home Loan Bank Term Advances
10,000

 
20,000

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts
20,000

 
20,000

Other Liabilities
23,125

 
24,437

Total Liabilities
2,016,494

 
1,971,544

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, $5 Par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Authorized

 

Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized
   (17,079,376 Shares Issued at December 31, 2014, and
   16,744,486 Shares Issued at December 31, 2013)
17,079

 
16,744

Additional Paid-in Capital
239,721

 
229,290

Retained Earnings
29,458

 
27,457

Unallocated ESOP Shares (71,748 Shares at December 31, 2014, and
  87,641 Shares at December 31, 2013)
(1,450
)
 
(1,800
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(7,166
)
 
(4,373
)
Treasury Stock, at Cost (4,386,001 Shares at December 31, 2014, and
  4,296,723 Shares at December 31, 2013)
(76,716
)
 
(75,164
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
200,926

 
192,154

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
2,217,420

 
$
2,163,698


5



Arrow Financial Corporation
Selected Quarterly Information
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
12/31/2014

 
9/30/2014

 
6/30/2014

 
3/31/2014

 
12/31/2013

Net Income
$
6,369

 
$
6,147

 
$
5,524

 
$
5,320

 
$
5,784

Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Gain (Loss) on Securities Transactions

 
83

 
(16
)
 

 

Net Gain on Sales of Loans
171

 
129

 
100

 
74

 
114

Share and Per Share Data:1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period End Shares Outstanding
12,622

 
12,605

 
12,597

 
12,597

 
12,607

Basic Average Shares Outstanding
12,614

 
12,606

 
12,595

 
12,602

 
12,586

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding
12,655

 
12,621

 
12,616

 
12,613

 
12,634

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.50

 
$
0.49

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.46

Diluted Earnings Per Share
0.50

 
0.49

 
0.44

 
0.42

 
0.46

Cash Dividend Per Share
0.25

 
0.25

 
0.25

 
0.25

 
0.25

Selected Quarterly Average Balances:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks
$
58,048

 
$
15,041

 
$
22,486

 
$
17,184

 
$
46,853

Investment Securities
664,334

 
653,702

 
712,088

 
755,008

 
762,768

Loans
1,401,601

 
1,361,347

 
1,328,639

 
1,284,649

 
1,254,957

Deposits
1,962,698

 
1,861,115

 
1,900,399

 
1,887,589

 
1,904,922

Other Borrowed Funds
56,185

 
67,291

 
60,900

 
68,375

 
62,038

Shareholders’ Equity
202,603

 
199,518

 
196,478

 
194,127

 
184,506

Total Assets
2,247,576

 
2,154,307

 
2,183,611

 
2,176,038

 
2,176,264

Return on Average Assets
1.12
%
 
1.13
%
 
1.01
%
 
0.99
%
 
1.05
%
Return on Average Equity
12.47
%
 
12.22
%
 
11.28
%
 
11.11
%
 
12.44
%
Return on Tangible Equity2
14.28
%
 
14.04
%
 
12.99
%
 
12.84
%
 
14.50
%
Average Earning Assets
$
2,123,983

 
$
2,030,090

 
$
2,063,213

 
$
2,056,841

 
$
2,064,578

Average Paying Liabilities
1,716,699

 
1,626,327

 
1,680,149

 
1,678,080

 
1,686,993

Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent
18,213

 
17,834

 
17,837

 
17,439

 
17,633

Interest Expense
1,219

 
1,399

 
1,555

 
1,594

 
1,713

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent
16,994

 
16,435

 
16,282

 
15,845

 
15,920

Tax-Equivalent Adjustment
1,073

 
1,074

 
1,142

 
1,173

 
1,174

Net Interest Margin 3
3.17
%
 
3.21
%
 
3.17
%
 
3.12
%
 
3.06
%
Efficiency Ratio Calculation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest Expense
$
13,299

 
$
13,526

 
$
13,737

 
$
13,466

 
$
13,385

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization
(94
)
 
(94
)
 
(94
)
 
(106
)
 
(108
)
Net Noninterest Expense
$
13,205

 
$
13,432

 
$
13,643

 
$
13,360

 
$
13,277

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent
$
16,994

 
$
16,435

 
$
16,282

 
$
15,845

 
$
15,920

Noninterest Income
7,060

 
7,351

 
7,019

 
6,886

 
6,877

Less: Net Securities Gains

 
(137
)
 
27

 

 

Net Gross Income
$
24,054

 
$
23,649

 
$
23,328

 
$
22,731

 
$
22,797

Efficiency Ratio
54.90
%
 
56.80
%
 
58.48
%
 
58.77
%
 
58.24
%
Period-End Capital Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity (i.e. Book Value)
$
200,926

 
$
200,089

 
$
197,616

 
$
194,491

 
$
192,154

Book Value per Share
15.92

 
15.87

 
15.69

 
15.44

 
15.24

Intangible Assets
25,628

 
25,747

 
25,868

 
25,999

 
26,143

Tangible Book Value per Share 2
13.89

 
13.83

 
13.63

 
13.38

 
13.17

Capital Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
9.44
%
 
9.68
%
 
9.39
%
 
9.30
%
 
9.19
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
14.47
%
 
14.41
%
 
14.49
%
 
14.55
%
 
14.70
%
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
15.54
%
 
15.48
%
 
15.57
%
 
15.62
%
 
15.77
%
Assets Under Trust Administration
  and Investment Management
$
1,227,179

 
$
1,199,930

 
$
1,214,841

 
$
1,182,661

 
$
1,174,891


1Share and Per Share Data have been restated for the September 29, 2014, 2% stock dividend.
2Tangible Book Value and Tangible Equity exclude intangible assets from total equity.  These are non-GAAP financial measures which we believe provide investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.
3Net Interest Margin is the ratio of our annualized tax-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets.  This is also a non-GAAP financial measure which we believe provides investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.

6



Arrow Financial Corporation
Consolidated Financial Information
(Dollars in Thousands - Unaudited)

Quarter Ended:
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2013
Loan Portfolio
 
 
 
Commercial Loans
$
99,511

 
$
87,893

Commercial Construction Loans
18,815

 
27,815

Commercial Real Estate Loans
321,297

 
288,119

Other Consumer Loans
7,665

 
7,649

Consumer Automobile Loans
429,376

 
394,204

Residential Real Estate Loans
536,604

 
460,792

Total Loans
$
1,413,268

 
$
1,266,472

Allowance for Loan Losses
 
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Quarter
$
15,293

 
$
14,584

Loans Charged-off
(251
)
 
(246
)
Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off
87

 
96

Net Loans Charged-off
(164
)
 
(150
)
Provision for Loan Losses
441

 

Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Quarter
$
15,570

 
$
14,434

Nonperforming Assets
 
 
 
Nonaccrual Loans
$
6,899

 
$
6,479

Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and Accruing
537

 
652

Loans Restructured and in Compliance with Modified Terms
333

 
641

Total Nonperforming Loans
7,769

 
7,772

Repossessed Assets
81

 
63

Other Real Estate Owned
312

 
81

Total Nonperforming Assets
$
8,162

 
$
7,916

Key Asset Quality Ratios
 
 
 
Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans, Quarter-to-date
  Annualized
0.05
%
 
0.05
%
Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans, Quarter-to-date
  Annualized
0.12

 
%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Loans
1.10
%
 
1.14
%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Nonperforming Loans
200.41
%
 
185.71
%
Nonperforming Loans to Period-End Loans
0.55
%
 
0.61
%
Nonperforming Assets to Period-End Assets
0.37
%
 
0.37
%
Twelve-Month Period Ended:
 
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Year
$
14,434

 
$
15,298

Loans Charged-off
(1,021
)
 
(1,411
)
Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off
309

 
347

Net Loans Charged-off
(712
)
 
(1,064
)
Provision for Loan Losses
1,848

 
200

Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Year
$
15,570

 
$
14,434

Key Asset Quality Ratios
 
 
 
Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans
0.05
%
 
0.09
%
Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans
0.14
%
 
0.02
%

7