The First Bancorp Announces Second Quarter Earnings

In this article:

DAMARISCOTTA, Maine, July 19, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), parent company of First National Bank, today announced operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Unaudited net income for the period was $7.4 million representing diluted earnings per share of $0.67. The Company also reported results for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Net income year-to-date in 2023 was $15.4 million, with diluted earnings per share of $1.39. Compared to prior periods, earnings for the second quarter of 2023 were down from the net income of $10.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.91 reported in the second quarter of 2022, and down from the net income of $8.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.72 reported for the first quarter of 2023. Total assets have increased $135.6 million year-to-date to reach $2.87 billion, supported by total deposits of $2.50 billion, borrowings of $114.5 million and common equity of $232.0 million.

"The First Bancorp and First National Bank continued to successfully execute on multiple fronts in the second quarter," commented Tony C. McKim, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We again experienced strong loan growth, adding $78.1 million in balances during the quarter, representing an annualized growth rate of 15.4%. Most of this increase was within our commercial loan portfolio, distributed among the commercial real estate, commercial & industrial, and multifamily segments. We remain diligent in loan pricing and were able to grow balances at interest rates that reflect the current market. In addition to commercial loans, we also saw nice increases in municipal, residential mortgage, and home equity loan balances in the second quarter. The pipeline of loans in process remains healthy, positioning the Bank for continued earning asset growth in the second half of the year.

"The loan portfolio is well diversified with levels of commercial real estate exposure well below regulatory guidance, and we are committed to maintaining underwriting standards that are prudent and conservative. Our focus on asset quality continues to be reflected in the Bank's strong metrics. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was just 0.06% as of June 30, 2023, unchanged from the preceding quarter, and past due loans remained low at 0.14% of total loans."

Mr. McKim continued, "Following industry disruptions in the first quarter, focus remains on bank deposits and overall funding. I'm pleased to report that our funding remains stable and diverse. Local non-maturity deposit levels were virtually unchanged during the second quarter, and we saw a very modest $4.1 million decrease in local time deposits. Total deposits grew $33.2 million during the period. The Bank's uninsured deposits were approximately 14.1% of total deposits as of June 30, 2023, with 93% of the uninsured total being fully collateralized by investment securities held in the Bank's portfolio. Our liquidity position remains strong, with immediately accessible funding in excess of $500 million as of quarter-end."

Turning to second quarter results, Mr. McKim remarked "Higher funding costs again negatively impacted our bottom line in the second quarter. The impact of an inverted yield curve on short-term rates, coupled with heightened competition for local deposits, resulted in a more than five-fold increase in interest expense in the second quarter of 2023 compared to a year ago. This caused a decrease in our net interest margin from 3.13% in the second quarter of 2022, and from 2.78% in the first quarter of 2023, to 2.46% for the current period, and led to an 8.8% decrease in net interest income for the period as compared to the first quarter of 2023. Non-interest income in the second quarter increased 8.4% from the first quarter, including an 8.9% increase in debit card revenue and a 5.5% increase in wealth management revenue. Operating expenses remain controlled and were flat versus the first quarter. Our teams continue to provide exceptional service to the Bank's growing customer base, to generate strong and diverse loan growth, and to adapt to rapidly shifting depositor preferences."

SECOND QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net Income of $7.4 million is a decrease of 7.2% from the quarter ended March 31, 2023,

  • Loan balances increased $78.1 million in the second quarter to $2.06 billion.

  • Total deposits were $2.50 billion as of June 30, 2023, an increase of 1.3% from March 31, 2023.

  • Asset quality continues to be very strong as of June 30, 2023 with a ratio of Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets of just 0.06%, unchanged from March 31, 2023.

  • Tangible Book Value per share increased to $18.15 as of June 30, 2023, up $0.31 per share for the period

  • A quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.35 per share was declared, an increase of one cent per share from $0.34 declared and paid in each of the past four quarters.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets at June 30, 2023, were $2.87 billion, up $63.0 million in the second quarter and up $244.5 million from a year ago. Earning assets increased $69.1 million during the quarter comprised primarily of an increase in loans of $78.1 million. As compared to June 30, 2022, earning assets have increased by $241.1 million centered in loan growth of $272.6 million, a decrease in the carrying value of investments of $12.6 million, and a reduction in interest earning cash balances of $18.9 million.

Loan growth in the second quarter was broad-based, centered in commercial loans which increased by $43.6 million during the period. Owner-occupied commercial real estate balances grew by $16.1 million, non-owner occupied commercial real estate by $11.9 million, commercial & industrial loans by $12.2 million, and multi-family by $12.0 million; commercial construction balances decreased by $8.6 million as a number of projects converted to permanent financing. Residential term loans increased by $38.3 million in the second quarter while residential construction loans decreased by $21.9 million. Municipal loan balances increased by $11.1 million and home equity balances grew $6.1 million during the period.

Total deposits at June 30, 2023 were $2.50 billion, up $33.2 million during the quarter, and up $247.8 million or 11.0% from June 30, 2022. Certificates of deposit increased by $40.0 million in the second quarter, while low-cost deposits decreased by $20.9 million, centered in NOW and Savings account balances, reflecting a depositor shift towards Money Market and CD offerings. Borrowings, principally from the FHLB, increased by $30.6 million. The Bank typically experiences a modest level of local deposit outflow annually in the first and second quarters based upon seasonal factors. Local deposits as of June 30, 2023, were down 1.32% from 2022 year-end, and down 0.26% from the end of the first quarter, both well within a normal range.

The Company’s regulatory capital position remained strong as of June 30, 2023, with an estimated total risk-based capital ratio of 13.87%, an increase from the total capital ratios of 13.72% as of March 31, 2023, and 13.63% as of June 30, 2022. The Company's leverage capital ratio was an estimated 8.68% as of June 30, 2023, as compared to the 8.75% and 8.92% reported as of March 31, 2023, and as of June 30, 2022, respectively. The Company's tangible book value per share, which includes unrealized losses on available for sale securities, was $18.15 as of June 30, 2023, up from $17.84 at March 31, 2023. The Tangible Common Equity ratio was 7.07% as of June 30, 2023, down slightly from 7.11% as of March 31, 2023.

ASSET QUALITY & PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Asset quality is very strong. As of June 30, 2023, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.06%, unchanged from March 31, 2023, and down from 0.18% at June 30, 2022. Net charge-offs year-to-date in 2023 were an annualized 0.005% of total loans, as compared to 0.03% in 2022 and there are no loans in the process of foreclosure. Past due loans remain low and were 0.14% of total loans as of June 30, 2023, a slight increase from 0.08% of total loans at March 31, 2023, and a slight decrease from 0.18% as of June 30, 2022.

The provision for credit losses totaled $30,000 in the second quarter of 2023 under CECL methodology, compared with $450,000 for the same period in 2022 under the incurred loss method. The effects of improved economic projections and strong asset quality offset the effects of loan growth and other factors in the second quarter model, resulting in a modest provision for the period. The ACL stood at 1.14% of total loans and 1,400% of non-performing loans as of June 30, 2023, as compared to an ACL of 1.18% of total loans and 1,303% of non-performing loans at March 31, 2023, and an allowance for loan losses of 0.91% of total loans and 337% of non-performing loans as of June 30, 2022.

OPERATING RESULTS - Second Quarter of 2023 vs. First Quarter of 2023

Net Income for the three months ended June 30, 2023, was $7.4 million, a decrease of $577,000 or 7.2% from the three months ended March 31, 2023. On a PTPP (non-GAAP) basis, net income for the period was $9.0 million, down $1.2 million or 12.1%. The Company’s Return on Average Assets of 1.04% for the quarter was down from 1.16%; the second quarter 2023 PTPP Return on Average Assets was 1.26%, down from 1.49% in the prior quarter. Return on Average Tangible Common Equity was 14.67% for the period, compared to 15.64%. The Company's Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) was 52.89% in the second quarter of 2023, up from 49.98% in the first quarter of 2023.

Contributing factors to the Company’s operating results in the three months ended June 30, 2023, included:

  • Net interest income was $15.9 million, down $1.5 million or 8.8% from the first quarter of 2023.

    • Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2023 was 2.46%, down from 2.78%.

    • The average tax equivalent yield on earning assets increased from 4.54% to 4.72%

    • The average cost of total liabilities increased from 2.09% to 2.66%

  • Non-interest income before securities gains or losses was $3.9 million, an increase of $301,000 or 8.4%. Each primary business line contributing to non-interest income experienced period-to-period gains, led by a $106,000 increase in debit card income. Revenue increased $63,000 or 5.5% from the first quarter of 2023 at First National Wealth Management, the Bank’s trust and investment management division.

  • Non-interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, was flat at $10.8 million. Employee expenses were down $543,000, while the cost of FDIC insurance increased by $190,000, and other operating expenses increased by $376,000. FDIC expense increased due to a base rate increase impacting all banks and other balance sheet factors; other operating expenses include a $131,000 provision for off balance sheet commitments.

DIVIDEND

On June 29, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of $0.35 per share. The second quarter dividend is an increase of one cent per share, and represents a payout to shareholders of 52.2% of earnings per share for the period. The dividend will be paid on July 20, 2023, to shareholders of record as of July 10, 2023.

ABOUT THE FIRST BANCORP

The First Bancorp, the parent company of First National Bank, is based in Damariscotta, Maine. Founded in 1864, First National Bank is a full-service community bank with $2.85 billion in assets. The Bank provides a complete array of commercial and retail banking services through eighteen locations in mid-coast and eastern Maine. First National Wealth Management, a division of the Bank, provides investment management and trust services to individuals, businesses, and municipalities. More information about The First Bancorp, First National Bank and First National Wealth Management may be found at www.thefirst.com.

The First Bancorp

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

In thousands of dollars, except per share data

June 30, 2023

December 31, 2022

June 30, 2022

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$

25,077

$

22,728

$

23,453

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

3,978

3,693

22,871

Securities available-for-sale

278,355

284,509

301,737

Securities held-to-maturity1

389,987

393,896

379,693

Restricted equity securities, at cost

5,227

3,883

4,720

Loans held for sale

275

689

Loans

2,060,953

1,914,674

1,788,355

Less allowance for credit losses

23,465

16,723

16,201

Net loans

2,037,488

1,897,951

1,772,154

Accrued interest receivable

13,598

9,829

10,262

Premises and equipment

27,808

28,277

29,010

Other real estate owned

64

51

Goodwill

30,646

30,646

30,646

Other assets

62,587

63,491

55,068

Total assets

$

2,874,815

$

2,739,178

$

2,630,354

Liabilities

Demand deposits

$

296,950

$

318,626

$

324,354

NOW deposits

615,370

630,416

640,497

Money market deposits

208,262

192,632

206,313

Savings deposits

329,651

369,532

376,448

Certificates of deposit

667,552

489,793

340,876

Certificates $100,000 to $250,000

252,720

259,614

282,180

Certificates $250,000 and over

129,357

118,264

81,354

Total deposits

2,499,862

2,378,877

2,252,022

Borrowed funds

114,481

103,483

126,588

Other liabilities

28,469

27,895

24,059

Total Liabilities

2,642,812

2,510,255

2,402,669

Shareholders' equity

Common stock

111

110

110

Additional paid-in capital

69,240

68,435

67,627

Retained earnings

205,539

204,343

192,565

Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale

(43,781

)

(44,718

)

(32,795

)

Net unrealized loss on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity

(59

)

(64

)

(73

)

Net unrealized gain on hedging derivative instruments

680

544

146

Net unrealized gain on postretirement costs

273

273

105

Total shareholders' equity

232,003

228,923

227,685

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$

2,874,815

$

2,739,178

$

2,630,354

Common Stock

Number of shares authorized

18,000,000

18,000,000

18,000,000

Number of shares issued and outstanding

11,081,800

11,045,186

11,030,236

Book value per common share

$

20.94

$

20.73

$

20.64

Tangible book value per common share

$

18.15

$

17.93

$

17.84

1June 30, 2023 net of allowance for credit losses

The First Bancorp

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

In thousands of dollars, except per share data

For the six months ended

For the quarter ended

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Interest income

Interest and fees on loans

$

50,531

$

33,899

$

26,406

$

24,125

$

17,286

Interest on deposits with other banks

89

71

49

40

62

Interest and dividends on investments

9,488

7,994

4,739

4,749

4,083

Total interest income

60,108

41,964

31,194

28,914

21,431

Interest expense

Interest on deposits

25,392

4,026

14,475

10,917

2,401

Interest on borrowed funds

1,306

620

784

522

332

Total interest expense

26,698

4,646

15,259

11,439

2,733

Net interest income

33,410

37,318

15,935

17,475

18,698

Provision for credit losses

580

900

30

550

450

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

32,830

36,418

15,905

16,925

18,248

Non-interest income

Investment management and fiduciary income

2,355

2,426

1,209

1,146

1,229

Service charges on deposit accounts

934

904

497

437

467

Net securities gains (losses)

1

(1

)

Mortgage origination and servicing income

387

878

195

192

380

Debit card income

2,476

2,756

1,291

1,185

1,326

Other operating income

1,287

1,347

678

609

679

Total non-interest income

7,439

8,312

3,870

3,569

4,080

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

10,897

11,335

5,177

5,720

5,398

Occupancy expense

1,710

1,578

842

868

749

Furniture and equipment expense

2,606

2,474

1,303

1,303

1,239

FDIC insurance premiums

878

440

534

344

222

Amortization of identified intangibles

13

35

6

7

18

Other operating expense

5,592

4,960

2,984

2,608

2,546

Total non-interest expense

21,696

20,822

10,846

10,850

10,172

Income before income taxes

18,573

23,908

8,929

9,644

12,156

Applicable income taxes

3,208

4,206

1,535

1,673

2,159

Net Income

$

15,365

$

19,702

$

7,394

$

7,971

$

9,997

Basic earnings per share

$

1.40

$

1.80

$

0.67

$

0.73

$

0.91

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.39

$

1.79

$

0.67

$

0.72

$

0.91

The First Bancorp

Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)

Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts

As of and for the six months ended

As of and for the quarter ended

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Summary of Operations

Interest Income

$

60,108

$

41,964

$

31,194

$

28,914

$

21,431

Interest Expense

26,698

4,646

15,259

11,439

2,733

Net Interest Income

33,410

37,318

15,935

17,475

18,698

Provision for Credit Losses

580

900

30

550

450

Non-Interest Income

7,439

8,312

3,870

3,569

4,080

Non-Interest Expense

21,696

20,822

10,846

10,850

10,172

Net Income

15,365

19,702

7,394

7,971

9,997

Per Common Share Data

Basic Earnings per Share

$

1.40

$

1.80

$

0.67

$

0.73

$

0.91

Diluted Earnings per Share

1.39

1.79

0.67

0.72

0.91

Cash Dividends Declared

0.69

0.66

0.35

0.34

0.34

Book Value per Common Share

20.94

20.64

20.94

20.63

20.64

Tangible Book Value per Common Share

18.15

17.84

18.15

17.84

17.84

Market Value

24.34

30.13

24.34

25.89

30.13

Financial Ratios

Return on Average Equity1

13.17

%

16.61

%

12.73

%

13.61

%

17.29

%

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity1

15.16

%

19.07

%

14.67

%

15.64

%

19.94

%

Return on Average Assets1

1.10

%

1.55

%

1.04

%

1.16

%

1.54

%

Average Equity to Average Assets

8.37

%

9.35

%

8.20

%

8.56

%

8.91

%

Average Tangible Equity to Average Assets

7.28

%

8.14

%

7.11

%

7.45

%

7.73

%

Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent1

2.62

%

3.18

%

2.46

%

2.78

%

3.13

%

Dividend Payout Ratio

49.29

%

36.67

%

52.24

%

46.58

%

37.36

%

Allowance for Credit Losses/Total Loans

1.14

%

0.91

%

1.14

%

1.18

%

0.91

%

Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans

0.08

%

0.27

%

0.08

%

0.09

%

0.27

%

Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets

0.06

%

0.18

%

0.06

%

0.06

%

0.18

%

Efficiency Ratio

51.39

%

44.45

%

52.89

%

49.98

%

43.49

%

At Period End

Total Assets

$

2,874,815

$

2,630,354

$

2,874,815

$

2,811,820

$

2,630,354

Total Loans

2,060,953

1,788,355

2,060,953

1,982,847

1,788,355

Total Investment Securities

673,569

686,150

673,569

683,961

686,150

Total Deposits

2,499,862

2,252,022

2,499,862

2,466,701

2,252,022

Total Shareholders' Equity

232,003

227,685

232,003

228,461

227,685

1Annualized using a 365-day basis for both 2023 and 2022.

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 (including for purposes of determining the compensation of certain executive officers and other Company employees) and believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods and with other financial institutions, as well as demonstrating the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period, in light of the disclosure practices employed by many other publicly-traded financial institutions. 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.

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 21.0% tax rate was used in both 2023 and 2022.

For the six months ended

For the quarters ended

In thousands of dollars

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Net interest income as presented

$

33,410

$

37,318

$

15,935

$

17,475

$

18,698

Effect of tax-exempt income

1,280

1,127

661

$

620

570

Net interest income, tax equivalent

$

34,690

$

38,445

$

16,596

$

18,095

$

19,268

The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP information which is most commonly used by financial institutions. The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is non-interest expenses divided by net interest income plus non-interest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes securities losses and other-than-temporary impairment charges from non-interest expenses, excludes securities gains from non-interest 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 six months ended

For the quarters ended

In thousands of dollars

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Non-interest expense, as presented

$

21,696

$

20,822

$

10,846

$

10,850

$

10,172

Net interest income, as presented

33,410

37,318

15,935

17,475

18,698

Effect of tax-exempt interest income

1,280

1,127

661

620

570

Non-interest income, as presented

7,439

8,312

3,870

3,569

4,080

Effect of non-interest tax-exempt income

86

84

43

44

43

Net securities (gains) losses

(1

)

1

Adjusted net interest income plus non-interest income

$

42,215

$

46,840

$

20,509

$

21,708

$

23,392

Non-GAAP efficiency ratio

51.39

%

44.45

%

52.89

%

49.98

%

43.49

%

GAAP efficiency ratio

53.11

%

45.63

%

54.76

%

51.56

%

44.66

%

The Company presents certain information based upon tangible common equity instead of total shareholders' equity. The difference between these two measures is the Company's 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. GAAP:

For the six months ended

For the quarters ended

In thousands of dollars

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Average shareholders' equity as presented

$

235,242

$

239,267

$

232,991

$

237,518

$

231,980

Less intangible assets

(30,850

)

(30,910

)

(30,853

)

(30,853

)

(30,919

)

Tangible average shareholders' equity

$

204,392

$

208,357

$

202,138

$

206,665

$

201,061

To provide period-to-period comparison of operating results prior to consideration of credit loss provision and income taxes, the non-GAAP measure of PTPP Net Income is presented. The following table provides a reconciliation to Net Income:

For the six months ended

For the quarters ended

In thousands of dollars

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

Net Income, as presented

$

15,365

$

19,702

$

7,394

$

7,971

$

9,997

Add: provision for credit losses

580

900

30

550

450

Add: income taxes

3,208

4,206

1,535

1,673

2,159

Pre-Tax, pre-provision net income

$

19,153

$

24,808

$

8,959

$

10,194

$

12,606

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.

Category: Earnings
Source: The First Bancorp

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719570784/en/

Contacts

The First Bancorp
Richard M. Elder, EVP, Chief Financial Officer
207-563-3195
rick.elder@thefirst.com

Advertisement