Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - First Bancorp, Inc /ME/a8-kearnings17q3.htm
Exhibit 99.1



The First Bancorp Reports Record Quarterly Results

DAMARISCOTTA, ME, October 18, 2017 – The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), parent company of First National Bank, announced today that net income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $5.0 million, up $420,000 or 9.2% from the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis were $0.46, up 9.5% from the same period in 2016. The Company also announced operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net income was $14.5 million, up $813,000 or 5.9% from the first nine months of 2016, with earnings per share on a fully diluted basis of $1.34, up 5.5% from the same period in 2016.
The Company’s President and CEO Tony C. McKim remarked “I’m pleased to report that the third quarter of 2017 was the best quarter in the history of The First Bancorp, with net income up $99,000 from the prior record reported for the second quarter of this year.” President McKim further commented that “the primary contributor to our increased earnings continues to be growth in earning assets. The strong growth trend in the loan and investment portfolios that we have experienced over the past several years continued this quarter, leading directly to increased net interest income and, in turn, our record quarterly net income. Shareholders benefited from our earnings strength through the 24 cents per share dividend declared on September 28.” The Company continues to pay out more than half of its net income in the form of cash dividends.
President McKim added “We continued to experience growth on both sides of the balance sheet in the third quarter and over the past year. Total loans increased $49.6 million or 4.6% year-to-date, and are up $92.1 million or 8.9% year-over-year. The investment portfolio is up $13.3 million or 2.5% year-to-date, and since September 30, 2016 the portfolio is up $67.4 million or 13.9%. On the funding side of the balance sheet, low-cost deposits are up $78.2 million or 12.2% since year end, and $46.3 million or 6.9% year-over-year. Total deposits are up $107.1 million or 8.6% year to date, and $176.3 million or 15.0% since September 30, 2016.

1


“Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was up $1.6 million or 14.5% from the same period in 2016,” President McKim continued. “The increase was attributable to a combination of the growth in earning assets described previously and an improvement in our net interest margin to 3.02% for the quarter, up from 2.98% the same period in 2016. Non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was up $24,000 from the same period in 2016. Lower year-to-year revenues from service charges on deposit accounts and mortgage banking activities were partially offset by gains in debit card revenue and investment management income from First Advisors, theBank’s trust and investment management division. The Company also took advantage of the favorable interest rate environment to book $468,000 in securities gains in the quarter. Non-interest expense for the third quarter increased $608,000 or 8.2% from the same period in 2016, primarily due to higher employee costs.”
Commenting on the Company’s credit quality, President McKim stated “our metrics remain solid. Non-performing assets stood at 0.94% of total assets as of September 30, 2017, up from the post-recession low of 0.44% reported last quarter. This change is attributable to deterioration in two loan relationships. As a result, we provisioned $750,000 for loan losses in the third quarter of 2017, up $375,000 from the third quarter of 2016. The allowance for loan losses stood at 0.98% of total loans as of September 30, 2017, up from 0.95% at June 30, 2017, and down slightly from the 1.00% of total loans at September 30, 2016. Past-due loans were 0.98% of total loans at September 30, 2017, down from 1.18% at December 31, 2016 and up slightly from 0.95% at September 30, 2016.”
“The Company’s continued strong performance is demonstrated in our operating ratios” commented the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, F. Stephen Ward. “Our return on average assets was 1.09% and our return on average tangible common equity was 13.08% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 1.09% and 13.06%, respectively, for the nine months then ended. We continue to outperform the Bank’s UPBR peer group, which had a return on average assets of 1.04% and a return on average common equity of 9.96% as of June 30, 2017. Our ratios placed us in the 63rd and 81st percentiles, respectively, compared to peer. The Company’s efficiency ratio stood at 49.88% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, improved from the 50.25% reported for the same period of 2016, and compares very favorably to the Bank’s UBPR peer group average which stood at 62.63% as of June 30, 2017.”
The First Bancorp’s stock closed at $30.31 per share on September 29, 2017, up from $23.97 a year ago and down from the year-end close at $33.10 per share. With dividends reinvested, the Company’s 12-month total return stands at 31.38%. FNLC outperformed the broad market during

2


this period, as measured by the S&P 500 which had a total return with dividends reinvested of 18.60%, as well as the Russell 2000, in which we are included, which had a total return of 20.71%. Compared to industry indices, FNLC outperformed the KBW Regional Bank Index which had a total return of 28.77% while slightly trailing the Nasdaq Bank Index with a total return of 32.98%.
“The Company continues to perform very well three quarters into 2017” President McKim concluded. “Healthy growth on both sides of the balance sheet has led to increased net interest income, producing record earnings again this quarter. I stand proud of the outstanding team of banking professionals we have at First National Bank and First Advisors. Our record results are a direct result of their ongoing effort and customer focus.”




















3


The First Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
September 30, 2017
December 31, 2016
September 30, 2016
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
22,375

$
17,366

$
23,456

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
584

293

15,098

Securities available for sale
298,999

300,416

282,293

Securities to be held to maturity
242,679

226,828

188,770

Restricted equity securities, at cost
10,798

11,930

14,048

Loans held for sale
434

782

1,228

Loans
1,121,086

1,071,526

1,028,992

Less allowance for loan losses
11,012

10,138

10,298

Net loans
1,110,074

1,061,388

1,018,694

Accrued interest receivable
5,820

5,532

5,079

Premises and equipment
21,731

22,202

21,779

Other real estate owned
320

375

855

Goodwill
29,805

29,805

29,805

Other assets
38,082

35,958

33,983

Total assets
$
1,781,701

$
1,712,875

$
1,635,088

Liabilities
 
 
 
Demand deposits
$
193,089

$
140,482

$
158,476

NOW deposits
291,403

282,971

295,708

Money market deposits
134,257

125,544

76,685

Savings deposits
234,456

217,340

218,425

Certificates of deposit
250,865

195,115

192,424

Certificates $100,000 to $250,000
202,722

240,904

183,991

Certificates $250,000 and over
43,257

40,601

48,040

Total deposits
1,350,049

1,242,957

1,173,749

Borrowed funds
234,328

278,901

268,098

Other liabilities
17,442

18,496

17,247

Total Liabilities
1,601,819

1,540,354

1,459,094

Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
Common stock
108

108

108

Additional paid-in capital
61,446

60,723

60,500

Retained earnings
118,360

111,693

112,900

Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale
(825
)
(935
)
2,708

Net unrealized loss on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity
(140
)
(129
)
(124
)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedging derivative instruments
1,035

1,163

58

Net unrealized loss on postretirement benefit costs
(102
)
(102
)
(156
)
Total shareholders' equity
179,882

172,521

175,994

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity
$
1,781,701

$
1,712,875

$
1,635,088

Common Stock
 
 
 
Number of shares authorized
18,000,000

18,000,000

18,000,000

Number of shares issued and outstanding
10,824,724

10,793,946

10,788,329

Book value per common share
$
16.62

$
15.98

$
16.31

Tangible book value per common share
$
13.84

$
13.20

$
13.53


4


The First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended September 30,
For the quarter ended September 30,
In thousands of dollars, except per share data
2017
2016
2017
2016
Interest income
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
33,415

$
29,759

$
11,648

$
10,021

Interest on deposits with other banks
46

17

23

9

Interest and dividends on investments
11,549

10,383

3,846

3,253

     Total interest income
45,010

40,159

15,517

13,283

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
6,769

4,382

2,473

1,538

Interest on borrowed funds
3,146

3,568

1,090

1,216

     Total interest expense
9,915

7,950

3,563

2,754

Net interest income
35,095

32,209

11,954

10,529

Provision for loan losses
1,750

1,125

750

375

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
33,345

31,084

11,204

10,154

Non-interest income
 
 
 
 
Investment management and fiduciary income
1,995

1,805

655

591

Service charges on deposit accounts
1,562

1,711

511

528

Net securities gains
471

668

468

137

Mortgage origination and servicing income
1,260

1,534

499

896

Other operating income
4,050

3,721

1,360

1,317

     Total non-interest income
9,338

9,439

3,493

3,469

Non-interest expense
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
12,110

11,136

4,267

3,931

Occupancy expense
1,816

1,735

589

589

Furniture and equipment expense
2,702

2,416

942

819

FDIC insurance premiums
762

631

259

210

Amortization of identified intangibles
32

32

10

10

Other operating expense
5,929

5,900

1,946

1,846

     Total non-interest expense
23,351

21,850

8,013

7,405

Income before income taxes
19,332

18,673

6,684

6,218

Applicable income taxes
4,830

4,984

1,702

1,656

Net Income
$
14,502

$
13,689

$
4,982

$
4,562

Basic earnings per share
$
1.35

$
1.28

$
0.46

$
0.43

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.34

$
1.27

$
0.46

$
0.42



5


The First Bancorp
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
As of and for the nine months ended September 30,
As of and for the quarters ended September 30,
Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts
2017
2016
2017
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of Operations
 
 
 
 
Interest Income
$
45,010

$
40,159

$
15,517

$
13,283

Interest Expense
9,915

7,950

3,563

2,754

Net Interest Income
35,095

32,209

11,954

10,529

Provision for Loan Losses
1,750

1,125

750

375

Non-Interest Income
9,338

9,439

3,493

3,469

Non-Interest Expense
23,351

21,850

8,013

7,405

Net Income
14,502

13,689

4,982

4,562

Per Common Share Data
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
1.35

$
1.28

$
0.46

$
0.43

Diluted Earnings per Share
1.34

1.27

0.46

0.42

Cash Dividends Declared
0.71

0.68

0.24

0.23

Book Value per Common Share
16.62

16.31

16.62

16.31

Tangible Book Value per Common Share
13.84

13.53

13.84

13.53

Market Value
30.31

23.97

30.31

23.97

Financial Ratios
 
 
 
 
Return on Average Equity (a)
10.86
%
10.48
%
10.91
%
10.24
%
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (a)
13.06
%
12.67
%
13.08
%
12.33
%
Return on Average Assets (a)
1.09
%
1.15
%
1.09
%
1.12
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
10.03
%
10.94
%
10.02
%
10.99
%
Average Tangible Equity to Average Assets
8.35
%
9.06
%
8.36
%
9.12
%
Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent (a)
3.03
%
3.08
%
3.02
%
2.98
%
Dividend Payout Ratio
52.59
%
53.13
%
52.17
%
53.49
%
Allowance for Loan Losses/Total Loans
0.98
%
1.00
%
0.98
%
1.00
%
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans
1.46
%
0.69
%
1.46
%
0.69
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
0.94
%
0.49
%
0.94
%
0.49
%
Efficiency Ratio
49.51
%
50.19
%
49.88
%
50.25
%
At Period End
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
1,781,701

$
1,635,088

$
1,781,701

$
1,635,088

Total Loans
1,121,086

1,028,992

1,121,086

1,028,992

Total Investment Securities
552,476

485,111

552,476

485,111

Total Deposits
1,350,049

1,173,749

1,350,049

1,173,749

Total Shareholders' Equity
179,882

175,994

179,882

175,994

(a) Annualized using a 365-day basis for 2017 and a 366-day basis for 2016.





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, as adjusted, 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.


7


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 2017 and 2016.
 
For the nine months ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
Net interest income as presented
$
35,095

$
32,209

$
11,954

$
10,529

Effect of tax-exempt income
2,953

2,291

1,003

785

Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
38,048

$
34,500

$
12,957

$
11,314

The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP information which is most commonly used by financial institutions. 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 nine months ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
Non-interest expense, as presented
$
23,351

$
21,850

$
8,013

$
7,405

Net interest income, as presented
35,095

32,209

11,954

10,529

Effect of tax-exempt income
2,953

2,291

1,003

785

Non-interest income, as presented
9,338

9,439

3,493

3,469

Effect of non-interest tax-exempt income
248

267

83

89

Net securities (gains)/losses
(471
)
(668
)
(468
)
(137
)
Adjusted net interest income plus non-interest income
$
47,163

$
43,538

$
16,065

$
14,735

Non-GAAP efficiency ratio
49.51
%
50.19
%
49.88
%
50.25
%
GAAP efficiency ratio
52.55
%
52.46
%
51.87
%
52.90
%
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

8


common equity to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles:
 
For the nine months ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
September 30, 2017
September 30, 2016
Average shareholders' equity as presented
$
178,482

$
174,415

$
181,153

$
177,312

  Less intangible assets
(30,049
)
(30,092
)
(30,064
)
(30,082
)
Tangible average shareholders' equity
$
148,433

$
144,323

$
151,089

$
147,230


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