Peoples Bancorp Announces Second Quarter 2023 Results

ACCESSWIRE· Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.
In this article:

NEWTON, NC / ACCESSWIRE / July 24, 2023 / Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEBK) (the "Company"), the parent company of Peoples Bank (the "Bank"), reported second quarter 2023 results with highlights as follows:

Second quarter 2023 highlights:

  • Net earnings were $4.8 million or $0.88 per share and $0.85 per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $3.2 million or $0.59 per share and $0.57 per diluted share for the same period one year ago.

  • Net interest margin was 3.56% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to 2.87% for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Year to date highlights:

  • Net earnings were $8.0 million or $1.46 per share and $1.41 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $6.7 million or $1.21 per share and $1.18 per diluted share for the same period one year ago.

  • Cash dividends were $0.53 per share during the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $0.51 per share for the prior year period.

  • Total loans were $1.1 billion at June 30, 2023, as compared to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2022.

  • Non-performing assets were $3.6 million or 0.22% of total assets at June 30, 2023, compared to $3.7 million or 0.23% of total assets at December 31, 2022.

  • Total deposits were $1.4 billion at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

  • Core deposits, a non-GAAP measure, were $1.3 billion or 92.26% of total deposits at June 30, 2023, compared to $1.4 billion or 98.14% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

  • Net interest margin was 3.67% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to 2.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Net earnings were $4.8 million or $0.88 per share and $0.85 per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $3.2 million or $0.59 per share and $0.57 per diluted share for the prior year period. Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in second quarter net earnings to an increase in net interest income, a decrease in non-interest expense and a decrease in the provision for credit losses, which were partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income, compared to the prior year period, as discussed below.

Net interest income was $13.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $11.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in net interest income is due to a $5.6 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $3.2 million increase in interest expense. The increase in interest income is due to a $3.7 million increase in interest income and fees on loans, a $75,000 increase in interest income on balances due from banks and a $1.8 million increase in interest income on investment securities. The increase in interest income and fees on loans is primarily due to an increase in total loans and rate increases by the Federal Reserve, partially offset by a $293,000 decrease in fee income on SBA PPP loans. The increase in interest income on balances due from banks is primarily due to rate increases by the Federal Reserve. The increase in interest income on investment securities is primarily due to higher yields on securities purchased after June 30, 2022. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to an increase in time deposits and an increase in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses was $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The provision for credit losses for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $375,000, compared to $410,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in the provision for credit losses is primarily attributable to lower loan growth in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022, which was partially offset by an increase in qualitative adjustments for economic conditions and other factors. Total loans outstanding increased $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to a $69.7 million increase in the second quarter of 2022.

Non-interest income was $6.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-interest income is primarily attributable a $849,000 decrease in appraisal management fee income due to a decrease in appraisal volume.

Non-interest expense was $13.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $14.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-interest expense is primarily attributable to a $708,000 decrease in appraisal management fee expense due to a decrease in appraisal volume.

Net earnings were $8.0 million or $1.46 per share and $1.41 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $6.7 million or $1.21 per share and $1.18 per diluted share for the prior year period. The increase in year-to-date net earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income and a decrease in non-interest expense, which were partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income and an increase in the provision for credit losses, compared to the prior year period, as discussed below.

Net interest income was $28.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $22.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in net interest income is due to a $11.1 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $5.0 million increase in interest expense. The increase in interest income is due to a $6.9 million increase in interest income and fees on loans, a $347,000 increase in interest income on balances due from banks and a $3.9 million increase in interest income on investment securities. The increase in interest income and fees on loans is primarily due to an increase in total loans and rate increases by the Federal Reserve, partially offset by a $893,000 decrease in fee income on SBA PPP loans. The increase in interest income on balances due from banks is primarily due to rate increases by the Federal Reserve. The increase in interest income on investment securities is primarily due to higher yields on securities purchased after June 30, 2022. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to an increase in time deposits and an increase in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses was $27.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $21.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The provision for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $599,000, compared to $481,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in the provision for credit losses is primarily attributable to an increase in qualitative adjustments for economic conditions and other factors.

Non-interest income was $10.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $14.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-interest income is primarily attributable to a $2.5 million net loss on the sale of securities and a $2.3 million decrease in appraisal management fee income due to a decrease in appraisal volume related to national trends in real estate purchases, which were partially offset by a $517,000 increase in miscellaneous non-interest income primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation income due to an increase in valuations for the assets in the deferred compensation plan. The securities sale transaction was executed in January and February 2023 to reduce risk in the investment portfolio, at a time when favorable sale conditions had developed for municipal securities. The sale also provides the Bank with more flexibility to support loan growth and reduce the need for other borrowings.

Non-interest expense was $27.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $27.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in non-interest expense is primarily attributable to a $1.8 million decrease in appraisal management fee expense due to a decrease in appraisal volume related to national trends in real estate purchases, which was partially offset by a $494,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense primarily due to a reduction in loan origination costs due to lower loan demand and a $926,000 increase in other non-interest expenses primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation expense due to an increase in valuations for the assets in the deferred compensation plan.

Income tax expense was $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $806,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The effective tax rate was 22.20% for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to 20.03% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Income tax expense was $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The effective tax rate was 21.79% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to 19.87% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in non-taxable investments.

Total assets were $1.6 billion as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Available for sale securities were $394.1 million as of June 30, 2023, compared to $445.4 million as of December 31, 2022. Total loans were $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2023, compared to $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Non-performing assets were $3.6 million or 0.22% of total assets at June 30, 2023, compared to $3.7 million or 0.23% of total assets at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets include $3.5 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $58,000 in other loans at June 30, 2023, compared to $3.7 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $8,000 in other loans at December 31, 2022.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 326 ("CECL"), which replaced incurred loss methodology with current expected loss methodology. This new guidance resulted in an initial reduction to retained earnings of $838,000, net of tax, due to a $1.1 million increase in the allowance for credit losses, comprised of a $2.3 million increase in the allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments and a $1.2 million decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $9.8 million or 0.93% of total loans at June 30, 2023, compared to $10.5 million or 1.02% at December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments was $2.3 million at June 30, 2023 in the Company's CECL calculation, compared to zero at December 31, 2022 in the Company's incurred loss calculation. Management believes the current level of the allowance for credit 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 were $1.4 billion at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Core deposits, a non-GAAP measure, which include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposit of denominations of $250,000 or less, were $1.3 billion at June 30, 2023, compared to $1.4 billion at and December 31, 2022. Management believes it is useful to calculate and present core deposits because of the positive impact this low cost funding source provides to the Bank's overall cost of funds and profitability. Certificates of deposit in amounts of more than $250,000 totaled $105.3 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $31.0 million at December 31, 2022. Other time deposits totaled $129.7 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $67.0 million at December 31, 2022. The increases in certificates of deposit in amounts of more than $250,000 and other time deposits are primarily due to promotional rates offered on select certificate of deposit products during the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $93.2 million at June 30, 2023, compared to $47.7 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase is primarily due to customers that transferred funds from deposits to securities sold under agreements to repurchase during the three months ended June 30, 2023. Junior subordinated debentures were $15.5 million at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Shareholders' equity was $112.4 million, or 6.97% of total assets, at June 30, 2023, compared to $105.2 million, or 6.49% of total assets, at December 31, 2022.

Peoples Bank operates 17 banking offices in North Carolina, with offices in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wake Counties. The Bank also operates loan production offices in Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Forsyth Counties. The Company's common stock is publicly traded and is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "PEBK."

Statements made in this earnings 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 include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by the 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, 2022.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)

June 30, 2023

December 31, 2022

June 30, 2022

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS:

Cash and due from banks

$

41,219

$

50,061

$

47,953

Interest-bearing deposits

47,822

21,535

175,754

Cash and cash equivalents

89,041

71,596

223,707


Investment securities available for sale

394,084

445,394

426,804

Other investments

2,602

2,656

2,791

Total securities

396,686

448,050

429,595


Mortgage loans held for sale

1,560

211

1,288


Loans

1,057,724

1,032,608

959,473

Less: Allowance for credit losses on loans

(9,789)

(10,494)

(9,789)

Net loans

1,047,935

1,022,114

949,684


Premises and equipment, net

16,734

18,205

16,001

Cash surrender value of life insurance

17,912

17,703

17,500

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

41,706

43,048

39,120

Total assets

$

1,611,574

$

1,620,927

$

1,676,895

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

454,702

$

523,088

$

559,163

Interest-bearing demand, MMDA & savings

679,823

814,128

833,094

Time, over $250,000

105,284

31,001

30,856

Other time

129,715

66,998

70,857

Total deposits

1,369,524

1,435,215

1,493,970


Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

93,172

47,688

37,146

Junior subordinated debentures

15,464

15,464

15,464

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

21,044

17,365

17,909

Total liabilities

1,499,204

1,515,732

1,564,489


Shareholders' equity:

Preferred stock, no par value; authorized

5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

-

-

-

Common stock, no par value; authorized

20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding

5,590,799 at 6/30/23, 5,636,830 shares at 12/31/22,

5,641,030 shares at 6/30/22

51,809

52,636

52,752

Common stock held by deferred compensation trust,

at cost; 165,142 shares at 6/30/23, 169,094 shares

at 12/31/22, 165,984 shares at 6/30/22

(1,967)

(2,181)

(2,099)

Deferred compensation

1,967

2,181

2,099

Retained earnings

104,304

100,156

92,741

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(43,743)

(47,597)

(33,087)

Total shareholders' equity

112,370

105,195

112,406


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,611,574

$

1,620,927

$

1,676,895

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2022

2023

2022

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

INTEREST INCOME:

Interest and fees on loans

$

13,667

$

9,934

$

26,550

$

19,676

Interest on due from banks

517

442

900

553

Interest on investment securities:

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises

2,280

585

4,510

1,096

State and political subdivisions

696

1,010

1,558

1,953

Other

439

21

882

43

Total interest income

17,599

11,992

34,400

23,321


INTEREST EXPENSE:

Interest-bearing demand, MMDA & savings deposits

1,648

366

3,136

769

Time deposits

1,638

141

2,154

287

Junior subordinated debentures

259

103

507

178

Other

283

34

494

73

Total interest expense

3,828

644

6,291

1,307


NET INTEREST INCOME

13,771

11,348

28,109

22,014

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

375

410

599

481

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

13,396

10,938

27,510

21,533


NON-INTEREST INCOME:

Service charges

1,328

1,374

2,669

2,542

Other service charges and fees

163

178

345

371

Loss on sale of securities

-

-

(2,488)

-

Mortgage banking income

39

99

132

299

Insurance and brokerage commissions

206

256

434

496

Appraisal management fee income

2,590

3,439

4,684

6,945

Miscellaneous

2,077

1,982

4,238

3,721

Total non-interest income

6,403

7,328

10,014

14,374


NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:

Salaries and employee benefits

6,286

6,443

12,786

12,292

Occupancy

1,981

1,932

3,995

3,848

Appraisal management fee expense

2,049

2,757

3,699

5,529

Other

3,303

3,111

6,841

5,915

Total non-interest expense

13,619

14,243

27,321

27,584


EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

6,180

4,023

10,203

8,323

INCOME TAXES

1,372

806

2,223

1,654


NET EARNINGS

$

4,808

$

3,217

$

7,980

$

6,669


PER SHARE AMOUNTS

Basic net earnings

$

0.88

$

0.59

$

1.46

$

1.21

Diluted net earnings

$

0.85

$

0.57

$

1.41

$

1.18

Cash dividends

$

0.19

$

0.18

$

0.53

$

0.51

Book value

$

20.71

$

20.53

$

20.71

$

20.53

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the year ended December 31, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)

Three months ended

Six months ended

Year ended

June 30,

June 30,

December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

2022

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:

Available for sale securities

$

450,666

$

455,331

$

463,387

$

434,439

$

467,484

Loans

1,056,062

917,833

1,046,646

901,586

949,175

Earning assets

1,550,703

1,599,469

1,549,822

1,580,926

1,601,168

Assets

1,603,916

1,668,029

1,600,262

1,655,156

1,663,665

Deposits

1,403,751

1,485,729

1,410,542

1,462,320

1,480,113

Shareholders' equity

114,090

117,141

113,965

129,413

123,886


SELECTED KEY DATA:

Net interest margin (tax equivalent) (1)

3.56%

2.87%

3.67%

2.83%

3.22%

Return on average assets

1.20%

0.77%

1.01%

0.81%

0.97%

Return on average shareholders' equity

16.90%

11.02%

14.12%

10.39%

13.01%

Average shareholders' equity to total average assets

7.11%

7.02%

7.12%

7.82%

7.45%

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

December 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES:

Allowance for credit losses on loans

$

9,789

$

9,789

$

10,494

Allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments

2,259

-

-

Provision for credit losses (2)

599

481

1,472

Charge-offs (2)

(343)

(284)

(752)

Recoveries (2)

240

237

419


ASSET QUALITY:

Non-accrual loans

$

3,561

$

3,586

$

3,728

90 days past due and still accruing

-

-

-

Other real estate owned

-

-

-

Total non-performing assets

$

3,561

$

3,586

$

3,728

Non-performing assets to total assets

0.22%

0.21%

0.23%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing assets

274.89%

272.98%

281.49%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

0.93%

1.02%

1.02%


LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:

Percentage of loans by risk grade


Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)

0.27%

0.57%

0.45%

Risk Grade 2 (high quality)

19.90%

19.38%

19.70%

Risk Grade 3 (good quality)

73.82%

72.85%

73.03%

Risk Grade 4 (management attention)

4.97%

5.79%

5.49%

Risk Grade 5 (watch)

0.49%

0.71%

0.68%

Risk Grade 6 (substandard)

0.55%

0.70%

0.65%

Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Risk Grade 8 (loss)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

At June 30, 2023, including non-accrual loans, there was one relationship exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade ($1.6 million). There were no relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade.

(1) This amount reflects the tax benefit that the Company receives related to its tax-exempt loans and securities, which carry interest rates lower than similar taxable investments due to their tax-exempt status. This amount has been computed using an effective tax rate of 22.98% and is reduced by the related nondeductible portion of interest expense.

(2) For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2022

Contact:
Lance A. Sellers
President and Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey N. Hooper
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

828-464-5620, Fax 828-465-6780

SOURCE: Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.



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