EX-99.1 2 tm245232d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION ANNOUNCES

FOURTH QUARTER 2023 EARNINGS

 

OAKLAND, MARYLAND—February 5, 2024: First United Corporation (NASDAQ: FUNC), a bank holding company and the parent company of First United Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), today announced earnings results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023, consolidated net income was $15.1 million, or $2.25 per basic share and $2.24 per diluted share, compared to $25.0 million, or $3.77 per basic share and $3.76 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

According to Carissa Rodeheaver, Chairman, President and CEO, “2023 was a challenging year as we experienced industry turmoil, the impact of the rapidly increased rate environment and strong deposit competition. Despite these challenges, we were able to limit the impact to our margin, achieve strong loan growth, maintain strong asset quality and execute several strategic items. In the fourth quarter, we accomplished a balance sheet restructuring and announced the consolidation of our branch network. While these strategies had a short-term impact on our fourth quarter and year-to-date earnings, they position us well for greater efficiency and more positive ongoing future earnings. I am proud of our associates and their continued commitment to providing customized financial solutions to our clients resulting in a strong 2023 total shareholder return of 23.6%.” Our team has successfully assisted our customers in navigating this volatile and unpredictable financial environment.”

 

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:

 

·Total assets at December 31, 2023 decreased by $22.3 million, or 1.2%, when compared to September 30, 2023 and increased by $57.7 million, or 3.1%, when compared to December 31, 2022. Significant changes during the fourth quarter included:

 

oCash balances decreased by $30.9 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $24.6 million when compared to December 31, 2022.
oInvestment securities decreased by $18.6 million when compared to September 30, 2023, and by $50.1 million when compared to December 31, 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Bank made a strategic decision to restructure its balance sheet and sold available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment securities totaling $20.4 million with a book value of $24.6 million, resulting in pretax loss of $4.2 million and an after-tax loss of $3.2 million.
oGross loans increased by $26.6 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $127.2 million when compared to December 31, 2022, as:
§commercial balances increased by $19.6 million during the fourth quarter and by $70.5 million when compared to December 31, 2022;
§residential mortgage balances increased by $8.2 million during the fourth quarter and by $55.5 million when compared to December 31, 2022; and
§consumer loans decreased by $1.2 million during the fourth quarter and increased by $1.2 million when compared to December 31, 2022.
oDeposits decreased by $24.1 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $19.8 million when compared to December 31, 2022. The Corporation had brokered deposits of $30.0 million as of December 31, 2023 compared to $60.7 million as of September 30, 2023. There were no brokered deposits at December 31, 2022.
oShort-term borrowings decreased by $7.9 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $19.1 million when compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease in quarterly balances was due primarily to seasonal fluctuations of municipal customer balances in overnight investment sweep products. The decrease from December 31, 2022 was primarily related to one large municipal customer moving approximately $12.0 million in funds from an overnight investment sweep product to a non-interest-bearing deposit product as well as regular fluctuations in other municipal customer balances.

 

 

 

·For the fourth quarter of 2023, consolidated net income, on a non-GAAP basis was $1.8 million, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, securities loss and $0.5 million, net of tax, of accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the announcement of the closure of four branches in February 2024.

 

oNet interest margin, on a non-GAAP, fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) basis, was 3.26% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.56% for year ended December 31, 2022.
oNet interest margin, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, was 3.13% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 3.12% for the third quarter of 2023 and 3.63% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
oNon-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, remained stable in the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to the third quarter of 2023 and increased by $0.3 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due to increases in wealth management income and debit card proceeds.
oNon-interest expense decreased by $0.5 million when compared to the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was a result of a decrease of $0.5 million in net other real estate owned (“OREO”) expenses due to gains on sales of properties during the quarter, and a decrease of $0.6 million in salaries and benefits, related to reduced health insurance costs and reversal of accrued executive performance-based incentives. These reductions were offset by a $0.6 million increase in occupancy and equipment costs related to the acceleration of depreciation expense and lease termination expenses associated with the branch closures. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, non-interest expenses increased by $0.7 million. This increase was primarily due to the $0.6 million increase in occupancy and equipment costs related to the branch closures, a $0.2 million increase in salaries and benefits as a result of increased salary expense related to new hires during 2023, increased health insurance costs offset by reductions in executive incentives, a $0.3 million increase in employee benefit plan expense, and a $0.2 million increase in marketing expenses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in net OREO expenses due to the recognition of gains on sales of properties during the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

Income Statement Overview

 

On a GAAP basis, net income was $1.8 million, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss on the sale of securities and $0.5 million, net of tax, accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $4.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted net income was $0.82 per share, non-GAAP, and $0.26 per share, GAAP, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to basic net income of $1.05 per share and diluted net income of $1.04 per share for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $0.67 per share for the third quarter of 2023. Exclusive of these items, net income was $5.5 million on a non-GAAP basis.

 

The decrease in quarterly net income, year-over-year, was primarily driven by a restructuring of the investment portfolio leading to the recognition of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $0.5 million, net of tax, accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures. Additionally, net interest income decreased by $1.0 million year-over-year as a result of the lower net interest margin. Interest expense increased by $5.8 million year-over-year, which was partially offset by an increase in interest income of $4.8 million. The provision for credit losses was $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a credit to the provision of $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $0.2 million due to an increase of $0.1 million in health insurance costs, as well as increased salary expense for new hires, merit increases effective April 1, 2023, partially offset by decreases in executive incentives and stock compensation. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $0.6 million primarily related to the increased expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures. Data processing expenses increased by $0.1 million, FDIC premiums increased by $0.1 million and miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.2 million primarily attributable to increased employee benefit plan expense.

 

 

 

When compared to the third quarter of 2023, net income decreased by $2.8 million due primarily to $3.3 million, net of tax, in recognized losses from the restructuring of the investment portfolio during the fourth quarter, as previously discussed. Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $0.2 million driven by an increase in interest income of $1.0 million, partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million in interest expense. Provision for credit losses increased by $0.2 million due to the continued strong loan growth, which was partially offset by the continued strong credit quality of our loan portfolio and decreased historical loss factors. Gains on the sale of residential mortgages decreased by $0.1 million in the fourth quarter as we experienced a seasonal decline in the mortgage pipeline. Other operating income, including debit card income and trust and brokerage fees, increased by $0.1 million quarter-over-quarter. Operating expenses decreased by $0.5 million. Net OREO expenses decreased by $0.5 million due to gains on sales of OREO properties recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023. Salaries and employee benefits decreased by $0.6 million primarily due to decreases in incentive compensation and health insurance costs during the quarter. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in occupancy and equipment expenses of $0.6 million due to increased expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures as discussed earlier.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income was $15.1 million on a GAAP basis, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss on the sale of securities and $0.5 million, net of tax, in increased expenses related to the branch closures, and $18.8 million on a non-GAAP basis compared to GAAP and non-GAAP basis income of $25.0 million in 2022. The year-over-year $9.9 million decrease in GAAP net income was driven by an increase in total operating expenses of $7.1 million. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.4 due primarily to increased salary expense of $2.0 million related to new hires, the competitive environment for labor and merit increases effective April 1, 2023, increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims and decreases of $0.4 in deferred loan costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.7 million due primarily to accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses associated with the announced branch closures, data processing expense increased by $0.5 million due to the implementation of new technology, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.4 million. Other miscellaneous expenses, such as loan service fees, dues and licenses, check fraud expenses, employee benefit plan expense, and miscellaneous expenses increased by $2.0 million and professional fees increased by $0.6 million due to the $0.8 million cash receipt related to reimbursement of litigation expenses that was credited to expenses in 2022. Provision for credit losses increased by $2.2 million when compared to prior year due to increased loan growth during 2023 and qualitative factors with the implementation of Accounting Standards Update 2016-13: Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (“CECL”). Net losses on AFS securities increased by $4.2 million when compared to prior year due to the sale of securities in the fourth quarter of 2023. Net interest income decreased by $0.8 million due to compression of the net interest margin as experienced industry-wide during 2023. These increases were partially offset by increases in gains on sales of mortgages of $0.3 million, service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million, and $0.1 million increase in debit card income. Income taxes were down by $3.7 million when comparing the two periods due primarily to reductions in pre-tax income.

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

 

Net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, decreased by $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This decrease was driven by an increase of $5.8 million in interest expense due to an increase of 160 basis points on interest paid on deposit accounts as well as an increase of $85.6 million in average balances of interest-bearing deposit accounts when compared to the same period of 2022. Increased deposit pricing resulted from the continued pressure on deposits as well as a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage. Interest income increased by $4.7 million. Interest income on loans increased by $4.2 million due to the increase of 80 basis points in overall yield on the loan portfolio as new loans were booked at higher rates as well as adjustable-rate loans repricing in correlation to the rising rate environment and an increase in average balances of $116.4 million. Investment income decreased by $0.3 million primarily due to a decrease of $22.5 million in average balances as the Corporation made the strategic decision to reinvest cash proceeds from the investment restructure and other principal paydowns of its investments in higher yielding loans. The net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 3.13% compared to 3.63% for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

 

 

 

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2023, net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, increased by $0.2 million This increase was driven by an increase of $1.0 million in interest income offset by a $0.8 million increase in interest expense. Interest income on loans increased by $1.2 million related to an overall increase of 22 basis points in yield as well as an increase of $34.6 million in average loan balances. Interest expense on deposits increased by $0.8 million due to an increase of 21 basis points in the average rate paid and an increase in average deposit balances of $39.3 million during the quarter. The increase in deposits was primarily driven by the increase of $47.9 million in money market accounts, which was partially offset by a $12.3 million decrease in savings accounts as customers moved deposit balances into a higher-yielding money market products. Additionally, brokered deposits decreased by an average balance of $12.8 million quarter-over-quarter, as $30.1 million of brokered deposits matured in December 2023.

 

Comparing the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, decreased by $1.1 million. Interest expense on deposits increased by $16.0 million due to an increase in balances of $120.3 million and an increase in yield of 141 basis points. Interest expense on long-term borrowings increased $3.5 million related to $80.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings obtained during the first quarter of 2023 and an increase in interest rates on variable rate trust preferred borrowings. The increased interest expense resulted in an overall increase of 151 basis points on interest bearing liabilities. This increase was partially offset by an increase of $18.4 million in interest income. The yield on earning assets increased 78 basis points to 4.63% in 2023 compared to 3.85% in 2022 in correlation with the rising interest rate environment, new loans booked at higher rates as well as adjustable rate loans repricing. The net margin was 3.26% in 2023 compared to 3.56% in 2022.

 

Non-Interest Income

 

Other operating income, including net (losses)/gains, for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by $3.9 million when compared to the same period of 2022. The Corporation recognized $4.2 million in losses related to the sale of AFS securities in the fourth quarter of 2023. Management executed the balance sheet restructuring to reinvest lower-yielding securities to fund its strong loan demand which is expected to increase the yield on earning assets in future quarters. These losses were partially offset by increases in service charges, wealth management income, and gains on sales of mortgages.

 

On a linked quarter basis, other operating income, including net (losses)/gains, decreased by $4.3 million due primarily to the $4.2 million in losses related to the sale of AFS securities as discussed above. In addition, gains on sales of residential mortgages decreased $0.1 million compared to the prior quarter. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in wealth management income and an increase of $0.1 million in debit card income.

 

Other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $3.6 million when compared to 2022. The $4.2 million loss related to the sale of AFS securities in 2023 was partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts, $0.1 million increase in wealth management income, and $0.3 million increase in gains on sales of residential mortgages.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Operating expenses increased by $0.7 million when comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2022. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $0.6 million related to depreciation and lease termination expenses recognized in conjunction with announced branch closures. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $0.2 million, marketing expenses increased by $0.2 million, FDIC premiums increased by $0.1 million, data processing expenses increased by $0.1 million, and miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.2 million. These increases were partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in net OREO expenses due to gains from sales of OREO recognized during 2023.

 

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2023, operating expenses decreased by $0.5 million. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.5 million decrease in net OREO expenses due to gains recognized in the sale of OREO properties during the fourth quarter of 2023 and a $0.6 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits due to decreased incentive compensation and health insurance costs. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in occupancy and equipment expense primarily related to depreciation and lease termination expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures.

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest expenses increased by $7.1 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.4 due primarily to increased salary expense of $2.0 million related to new hires, the competitive environment for labor and merit increases effective April 1, 2023, increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims and decreases of $0.4 in deferred loan costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.7 million due to the expenses related to the branch closures, data processing expense increased by $0.5 million as a result of the implementation of a new sales management system, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.4 million. Professional fees increased by $0.6 million related to increased audit expenses in correlation to the new CECL implementation and increased legal and professional expenses due to the receipt of an $0.8 million in proceeds credited to expense in 2022. Other miscellaneous expenses increased by $2.0 million primarily driven by increased check fraud related expenses of $0.5 million, increased employee benefit costs of $1.1 million, increased escrow account fees due to the rising rate environment, miscellaneous loan fees and an increase of $0.2 million in fees associated with the ICS product.

 

The effective income tax rates as a percentage of income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were 22.7% and 24.5%, respectively. The decrease in the tax rate for the 2023 period was primarily related to a new low-income housing tax credit investment in 2022 that began generating tax credits during the fourth quarter of 2022. This tax credit will continue through 2032.

 

Balance Sheet Overview

 

Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $1.9 billion, representing a $57.7 million increase since December 31, 2022. During 2023, cash and interest-bearing deposits in other banks decreased by $24.6 million. In the first quarter of 2023, management made the strategic decision to obtain $61.1 million in brokered certificates of deposit and $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings to strengthen on-balance sheet liquidity in light of the disruption in the banking industry. $30.0 million of the brokered deposits were repaid in September 2023 and during the third quarter, in anticipation of increasing rates, management pre-funded the $30.7 million of brokered deposits set to mature and be repaid in the fourth quarter of 2023 at the same rate in order to maintain cash balances and control interest expense. Total brokered deposits outstanding at December 31, 2023 were $30.0 million.

 

The investment portfolio decreased by $50.1 million since December 31, 2022 driven by management’s strategic decision to restructure the balance sheet in the fourth quarter by selling $20.4 million of AFS securities and investing the proceeds into higher yielding loans for future earnings growth. Also in the third quarter of 2023, management opted to redeem a $17.8 million tax increment bond (“TIF”) at par to boost liquidity. Loans increased by $127.2 million since December 31, 2022 due primarily to growth in the commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. Premises and equipment decreased by $3.5 million primarily due to accelerated depreciation related to announced branch closures. Other assets, including bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) and deferred tax assets, increased by $7.0 million during 2023, as pension assets increased by $3.2 million, deferred tax assets increased by $1.3 million, and BOLI increased by $1.3 million.

 

Total liabilities at December 31, 2023 were $1.7 billion, representing a $47.6 million increase since December 31, 2022. Total deposits decreased by $19.8 million since December 31, 2022. Interest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts increased by $23.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively, due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage, where balances grew by approximately $104.0 million. These increases were offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $78.9 million and savings accounts of $59.5 million as we saw businesses and consumers utilizing cash due to the rising rate and inflationary environment. Total certificates of deposit increased by $75.0 million primarily due to an increase of $30.0 million in brokered certificates of deposits and $45.0 million in retail certificates of deposit. Short-term borrowings decreased by $19.1 million since December 31, 2022 primarily due to one municipal customer moving funds from an overnight investment product to a non-interest bearing deposit product in 2023 as well as regular fluctuations in municipal deposit balances. Long-term borrowings increased by $80.0 million in 2023 when compared to December 31, 2022 due to the acquisition of $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings in the first quarter of 2023.

 

 

 

Total AFS and held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities totaled $311.5 million at December 31, 2023, representing a $50.1 million decrease compared to December 31, 2022. In the third quarter of 2023, management elected to redeem $17.8 million from a non-rated municipal TIF bond at par. During December of 2023, management made a strategic decision to restructure the balance sheet by selling sold available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment securities totaling $20.4 million with a book value of $24.6 million, resulting in an after-tax loss of $3.2 million. The securities had a weighted average book yield of approximately 1.3% and a weighted average life of approximately 6.65 years. The proceeds from the sale will be used to fund loans with a conservative approximate average rate of 7.85%. The Bank projects that the earn-back period will be approximately 3.3 years. Additional decreases in the investment portfolio were primarily related to normal principal amortization. Proceeds from sales and principal amortization during 2023 were used primarily to enhance on-balance sheet liquidity and to fund loan growth throughout the year.

 

Outstanding loans of $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023 reflected growth of $127.2 million in 2023. Since December 31, 2022, commercial real estate loans increased by $34.9 million, acquisition and development loans increased by $6.5 million and commercial and industrial loans increased by $29.2 million. Growth in the commercial portfolios was driven by increased activity with existing clients as well as cultivating new business relationships. Residential mortgage loans increased $55.5 million related to management’s strategic decision to book new mortgage loans at higher rates to our in-house portfolio. The consumer loan portfolio increased slightly by $1.2 million.

 

New commercial loan production for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $36.3 million.  The pipeline of commercial loans as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $22.0 million. At December 31, 2023, unfunded, committed commercial construction loans totaled approximately $29.6 million. Commercial amortization and payoffs were approximately $151.6 million through December 31, 2023 due primarily to pay-offs of short-term commercial loans as well as normal amortizations of the commercial loan portfolio.

 

New residential mortgage loan production for the fourth quarter of 2023 was approximately $17.8 million, with most of this production comprised of in-house loans.  The pipeline of in-house, portfolio loans as of December 31, 2023 was $7.0 million. The residential mortgage production level declined in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to the increasing interest rates and seasonality of this line of business. Unfunded commitments related to residential construction loans totaled $17.6 million on December 31, 2023. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, management began shifting more activity towards the secondary market.

 

Total deposits at December 31, 2023 decreased by $19.8 million when compared to December 31, 2022. In March 2023, the Corporation obtained $61.1 million in new brokered deposits. In August 2023, the Corporation obtained $30.0 million of brokered deposits to pre-fund the maturity of a $30.4 million brokered certificate of deposit that matured in September 2023. In December 2023, $30.6 million in brokered deposits matured and were repaid. In addition, retail certificates of deposit increased by $45.0 million due primarily to a promotional nine-month certificate of deposit product offered in 2023. Interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $23.2 million and money market accounts increased by $20.5 million due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing accounts to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance. These increases were offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $78.9 million and savings accounts of $59.5 million due to the shift to interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, two relationships having large, planned deposit withdrawals totaling $39.5 million during 2023 to fund business activity, the effects of consumer and commercial spending and the competitive market for deposits.

 

 

 

The book value of the Corporation’s common stock was $24.38 per share at December 31, 2023 compared to $22.77 per share at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2023, there were 6,639,888 of basic outstanding shares and 6,653,200 of diluted outstanding shares of common stock. The increase in the book value at December 31, 2023 was due to the undistributed net income of $9.6 million during 2023, which was partially offset by a decrease in shareholders’ equity of $2.2 million, net of tax, due to the adoption of CECL (Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326). Accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $3.2 million due primarily to changes in the increased fair values of the Corporation’s available for sale investment securities, the reduction of the Corporation’s investment portfolio from the sale of investments in the fourth quarter and pension assets during the year. In 2023, the Corporation purchased and retired 82,098 shares of the Corporation’s common stock at an average price of $16.79 per share pursuant to the previously announced stock repurchase program. The program, the term of which expires on August 18, 2024 unless sooner terminated or extended by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, may be further utilized as the Board and management deem appropriate.

 

Asset Quality

 

On January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted CECL, which replaced the incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model. As a result of the CECL adoption, the Corporation recorded a transition adjustment of $2.2 million, net of $0.7 million in tax, to retained earnings as of January 1, 2023 for the cumulative effect of the adoption of CECL. The Corporation recorded a $2.0 million increase to the ACL related to loans and a $0.9 million increase to the allowance for credit losses (the “ACL”) on off balance sheet exposures.

 

For periods prior to the adoption of CECL, the Corporation recognized credit losses for loans that were collectively evaluated for impairment based on an incurred loss approach, which limited our measurement of credit losses to credit events that were estimated to have already occurred. The allowance for loan losses (the “ALL”) under the incurred model was a valuation allowance for probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management made the determination by taking into consideration historical loan loss experience, diversification of the loan portfolio, amount of secured and unsecured loans, banking industry standards and averages, and general economic conditions. Credit losses were charged against the ALL when the loan balance was confirmed uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, were credited to the ALL. Ultimate losses varied from current estimates. The estimates were reviewed periodically and as adjustments became necessary, they were reported in earnings in the periods in which they become reasonably estimable.

 

The ACL was $17.5 million at December 31, 2023 compared to an ALL of $14.6 million at December 31, 2022. The provision for credit losses was $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to a credit to provision of $0.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The provision expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily related to strong loan growth and increases in qualitative risk factors related to the uncertainty of the economy, inflation levels, and rising interest rates, which was partially offset by the reduction of historical loss factors related to the strength of our overall portfolio. Net charge-offs of $0.2 million were recorded for the quarters ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The ratio of the ACL to loans outstanding was 1.24% at December 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and 1.14% at December 31, 2022.

 

The ratio of year-to-date net charge offs to average loans for the year ending December 31, 2023 was an annualized 0.07%, compared to net charge offs to average loans of 0.06% for 2022. Details of the ratio, by loan type, are shown below. Our special assets team continues to effectively collect on charged-off loans, resulting in ongoing overall low net charge-off ratios.

 

Ratio of Net (Charge Offs)/Recoveries to Average Loans

   12/31/2023   12/31/2022 
Loan Type  (Charge Off) / Recovery   (Charge Off) / Recovery 
Commercial Real Estate   (0.02)%   0.00%
Acquisition & Development   0.01%   0.00%
Commercial & Industrial   (0.09)%   (0.02)%
Residential Mortgage   0.00%   0.03%
Consumer   (1.04)%   (1.23)%
Total Net (Charge Offs)/Recoveries   (0.07)%   (0.06)%

 

Non-accrual loans totaled $4.0 million at December 31, 2023 and $3.5 million at December 31, 2022. OREO balances decreased by $0.2 million to $4.5 million since December 31, 2022 due to sales of OREO properties in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was partially offset by the addition of a new OREO property during the second quarter of 2023. OREO is comprised primarily of $4.0 for one property which has been marked to market and is currently under contract with a targeted settlement in the second quarter of 2024.

 

Non-accrual loans that have been subject to partial charge-offs totaled $0.1 million at December 31, 2023 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2022.  Loans secured by 1-4 family residential real estate properties in the process of foreclosure totaled $1.8 million at December 31, 2023. There were no loans subject to foreclosure at December 31, 2022.   As a percentage of the loan portfolio, accruing loans past due 30 days or more were 0.24% at December 31, 2023 compared to 0.27% at September 30, 2023 and 0.16% at December 31, 2022. 

 

 

 

ABOUT FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

 

First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that elected financial holding company status in 2021. The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II” and together with Trust I, “the Trusts”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts. The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital. The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries- Oak First Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company – and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure – First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company. In addition, the Bank owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland (“Limited Mews”), and a 99.9% non-voting membership interest in MCC FUBT Fund, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Allegany County, Maryland (the “MCC Fund”). The Corporation’s website is www.mybank.com.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements do not represent historical facts, but are statements about management's beliefs, plans and objectives about the future, as well as its assumptions and judgments concerning such beliefs, plans and objectives.  These statements are evidenced by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions.  Although these statements reflect management's good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true.  The beliefs, plans and objectives on which forward-looking statements are based involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements.  For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports that First United Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled "Risk Factors". In addition, investors should understand that the Corporation is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of the consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and the impact that any such events have on our critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of December 31, 2023, which could require us to make adjustments to the amounts reflected in this press release.

 

 

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

Oakland, MD

Stock Symbol :  FUNC

Financial Highlights - Unaudited

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended  
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2023   2022   2023   2022 
Results of Operations:                    
Interest income  $22,191   $17,359   $81,156   $62,422 
Interest expense   7,997    2,179    24,286    4,789 
Net interest income   14,194    15,180    56,870    57,633 
Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses   419    (736)   1,620    (627)
Other operating income   4,793    4,479    18,331    17,878 
Net (losses)/gains   (4,184)   11    (3,862)   172 
Other operating expense   12,309    11,590    50,243    43,129 
Income before taxes  $2,075   $8,816   $19,476   $33,181 
Income tax expense   317    1,847    4,416    8,133 
Net income  $1,758   $6,969   $15,060   $25,048 
                     
Per share data:                    
Basic net income per share  $0.26   $1.05   $2.25   $3.77 
Diluted net income per share  $0.26   $1.04   $2.24   $3.76 
Dividends declared per share  $0.20   $0.18   $0.80   $0.63 
Book value  $24.38   $22.77           
Diluted book value  $24.33   $22.68           
Tangible book value per share  $22.56   $20.91           
Diluted Tangible book value per share  $22.51   $20.87           
                     
Closing market value  $23.51   $19.65           
Market Range:                    
    High  $23.51   $20.56           
    Low  $16.12   $16.74           
                     
Shares outstanding at period end: Basic   6,639,888    6,666,428           
Shares outstanding at period end: Diluted   6,653,200    6,692,039           
                     
Performance ratios: (Year to Date Period End, annualized)                    
Return on average assets   0.78%   1.39%          
Return on average shareholders' equity   9.68%   18.19%          
Net interest margin (Non-GAAP), includes tax exempt income of $792 and $942   3.26%   3.56%          
Net interest margin GAAP   3.22%   3.50%          
Efficiency ratio - non-GAAP (1)   65.12%   56.27%          

 

(1) Efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing total operating expenses by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other operating income, less gains/(losses) on sales of securities and/or fixed assets.

 

 

 

   December 31,   December 31         
   2023   2022         
Financial Condition at period end:                    
Assets  $1,905,860   $1,848,169           
Earning assets  $1,725,236   $1,643,964           
Gross loans  $1,406,667   $1,279,494           
Commercial Real Estate  $493,703   $458,831           
Acquisition and Development  $77,060   $70,596           
Commercial and Industrial  $274,604   $245,396           
Residential Mortgage  $499,871   $444,411           
Consumer  $61,429   $60,260           
Investment securities  $311,466   $361,548           
Total deposits  $1,550,977   $1,570,733           
Noninterest bearing  $427,670   $506,613           
Interest bearing  $1,123,307   $1,064,120           
Shareholders' equity  $161,873   $151,793           
    .                
Capital ratios:                    
                     
Tier 1 to risk weighted assets   14.42%   15.06%          
Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets   12.44%   12.95%          
Tier 1 Leverage   11.30%   11.46%          
Total risk based capital   15.64%   16.12%          
                     
Asset quality:                    
                     
Net charge-offs for the quarter  $(195)  $(164)          
Nonperforming assets: (Period End)                    
Nonaccrual loans  $3,956   $3,495           
Loans 90 days past due and accruing   543    307           
                     
Total nonperforming loans and 90 day past due  $4,499   $3,802           
                     
Modified/Restructured loans  $-   $3,028           
Other real estate owned  $4,493   $4,733           
                     
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.24%   1.14%          
Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans   441.86%   418.77%          
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing assets   194.40%   171.48%          
Non-performing and 90 day past due loans to total loans   0.32%   0.30%          
Non-performing loans and 90 day past due loans to total assets   0.24%   0.21%          
Non-accrual loans to total loans   0.28%   0.27%          
Non-performing assets to total assets   0.47%   0.46%          

 

 

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

Oakland, MD

Stock Symbol :  FUNC

Financial Highlights - Unaudited

 

   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2023   2023   2023   2023   2022   2022   2022   2022 
Results of Operations:                                        
Interest income  $22,191   $21,164   $19,972   $17,829   $17,359   $16,185   $14,731   $14,147 
Interest expense   7,997    7,180    5,798    3,311    2,179    1,044    760    806 
Net interest income   14,194    13,984    14,174    14,518    15,180    15,141    13,971    13,341 
Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses   419    263    395    543    (736)   (101)   631    (421)
Other operating income   4,793    4,716    4,483    4,339    4,479    4,604    4,413    4,382 
Net gains   (4,184)   182    86    54    11    96    13    52 
Other operating expense   12,309    12,785    12,511    12,638    11,590    10,329    10,630    10,580 
Income before taxes  $2,075   $5,834   $5,837   $5,730   $8,816   $9,613   $7,136   $7,616 
Income tax expense   317    1,321    1,423    1,355    1,847    2,677    1,708    1,901 
Net income  $1,758   $4,513   $4,414   $4,375   $6,969   $6,936   $5,428   $5,715 
                                         
Per share data:                                        
Basic net income per share  $0.26   $0.67   $0.66   $0.66   $1.05   $1.04   $0.82   $0.86 
Diluted net income per share  $0.26   $0.67   $0.66   $0.65   $1.04   $1.04   $0.82   $0.86 
Dividends declared per share  $0.20   $0.20   $0.20   $0.20   $0.18   $0.15   $0.15   $0.15 
Book value  $24.38   $23.08   $23.12   $22.85   $22.77   $19.83   $19.97   $20.65 
Diluted book value  $24.33   $23.03   $23.07   $22.81   $22.68   $19.80   $19.93   $20.63 
Tangible book value per share  $22.56   $21.27   $21.29   $21.01   $20.91   $18.03   $18.17   $18.83 
Diluted Tangible book value per share  $22.51   $21.22   $21.25   $20.96   $20.87   $18.00   $18.14   $18.82 
                                         
Closing market value  $23.51   $16.23   $14.26   $16.89   $19.65   $16.55   $18.76   $22.53 
Market Range:                                        
    High  $23.51   $17.34   $17.01   $20.41   $20.56   $19.27   $23.80   $24.50 
    Low  $16.12   $13.70   $12.56   $16.75   $16.74   $16.18   $17.50   $18.81 
                                         
Shares outstanding at period end: Basic   6,639,888    6,715,170    6,711,422    6,688,710    6,666,428    6,659,390    6,656,395    6,637,979 
Shares outstanding at period end: Diluted   6,653,200    6,728,482    6,724,734    6,703,252    6,692,039    6,669,785    6,666,790    6,649,604 
                                         
Performance ratios: (Year to Date Period End, annualized)                                        
Return on average assets   0.78%   0.93%   0.95%   0.94%   1.39%   1.35%   1.26%   1.31%
Return on average shareholders' equity   9.68%   11.44%   11.43%   11.87%   18.19%   17.66%   16.25%   16.49%
Net interest margin (Non-GAAP), includes tax exempt income of $76 and $241   3.26%   3.30%   3.39%   3.53%   3.56%   3.53%   3.46%   3.40%
Net interest margin GAAP   3.22%   3.25%   3.34%   3.48%   3.50%   3.47%   3.40%   3.34%
Efficiency ratio - non-GAAP (1)   65.12%   66.41%   66.00%   67.02%   56.27%   51.49%   57.11%   58.81%

 

(1) Efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing total operating expenses by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other operating income, less gains/(losses) on sales of securities and/or fixed assets.

 

   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
   2023   2023   2023   2023   2022   2022   2022   2022 
Financial Condition at period end:                                        
Assets  $1,905,860   $1,928,201   $1,928,393   $1,937,442   $1,848,169   $1,803,642   $1,752,455   $1,760,325 
Earning assets  $1,725,236   $1,717,244   $1,707,522   $1,652,688   $1,643,964   $1,647,303   $1,608,094   $1,572,737 
Gross loans  $1,406,667   $1,380,019   $1,350,038   $1,289,080   $1,279,494   $1,277,924   $1,233,613   $1,181,401 
Commercial Real Estate  $493,703   $491,284   $483,485   $453,356   $458,831   $437,973   $421,942   $391,136 
Acquisition and Development  $77,060   $79,796   $79,003   $76,980   $70,596   $83,107   $116,115   $133,031 
Commercial and Industrial  $274,604   $254,650   $249,683   $241,959   $245,396   $269,004   $225,640   $194,914 
Residential Mortgage  $499,871   $491,686   $475,540   $456,198   $444,411   $427,093   $406,293   $399,704 
Consumer  $61,429   $62,603   $62,327   $60,587   $60,260   $60,747   $63,623   $62,616 
Investment securities  $311,466   $330,053   $350,844   $357,061   $361,548   $366,484   $373,455   $385,265 
Total deposits  $1,550,977   $1,575,069   $1,579,959   $1,591,285   $1,570,733   $1,511,118   $1,484,354   $1,507,555 
Noninterest bearing  $427,670   $429,691   $466,628   $468,554   $506,613   $474,444   $527,761   $530,901 
Interest bearing  $1,123,307   $1,145,378   $1,113,331   $1,122,731   $1,064,120   $1,036,674   $956,593   $976,654 
Shareholders' equity  $161,873   $154,990   $155,156   $152,868   $151,793   $132,044   $132,892   $137,038 
                                         
Capital ratios:                                        
                                         
Tier 1 to risk weighted assets   14.42%   14.60%   14.40%   14.90%   15.06%   14.40%   14.31%   14.55%
Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets   12.44%   12.60%   12.40%   12.82%   12.95%   12.36%   12.27%   12.45%
Tier 1 Leverage   11.30%   11.25%   11.25%   11.47%   11.46%   11.23%   11.23%   10.94%
Total risk based capital   15.64%   15.81%   15.60%   16.15%   16.12%   15.50%   15.46%   15.71%
                                         
Asset quality:                                        
                                         
Net (charge-offs)/recoveries for the quarter  $(195)  $(83)  $(398)  $(245)  $(164)  $(89)  $(179)  $(244)
Nonperforming assets: (Period End)                                        
Nonaccrual loans  $3,956   $3,479   $2,972   $3,258   $3,495   $1,943   $2,149   $2,332 
Loans 90 days past due and accruing   543    145    160    87    307    569   $325    37 
                        0                
Total nonperforming loans and 90 day past due  $4,499   $3,624   $3,132   $3,345   $3,802   $2,512   $2,474   $2,369 
                                         
Modified/restructured loans  $-   $-   $-   $-   $3,028   $3,354   $3,226   $3,228 
Other real estate owned  $4,493   $4,878   $4,482   $4,598   $4,733   $4,733   $4,517   $4,477 
                                         
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans   1.24%   1.24%   1.25%   1.31%   1.14%   1.22%   1.28%   1.29%
Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans   441.86%   492.84%   568.81%   517.83%   418.77%   799.85%   732.29%   655.75%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing assets   194.40%   473.12%   539.79%   212.40%   171.48%   214.51%   225.10%   223.37%
Non-performing and 90 day past due loans to total loans   0.32%   0.26%   0.23%   0.26%   0.30%   0.20%   0.20%   0.20%
Non-performing loans and 90 day past due loans to total assets   0.24%   0.19%   0.16%   0.17%   0.21%   0.14%   0.14%   0.13%
Non-accrual loans to total loans   0.28%   0.25%   0.22%   0.25%   0.27%   0.15%   0.17%   0.20%
Non-performing assets to total assets   0.47%   0.44%   0.39%   0.41%   0.46%   0.40%   0.40%   0.39%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands - Unaudited)  December 31,
2023
   September 30,
2023
   June 30,
2023
   March 31,
2023
   December 31,
2022
 
Assets                         
Cash and due from banks  $48,343   $78,939   $86,901   $154,022   $72,420 
Interest bearing deposits in banks   1,410    1,713    1,650    1,873    1,895 
Cash and cash equivalents   49,753    80,652    88,551    155,895    74,315 
Investment securities – available for sale (at fair value)   97,169    114,370    120,085    123,978    125,889 
Investment securities – held to maturity (at cost)   214,297    215,683    230,759    233,083    235,659 
Restricted investment in bank stock, at cost   5,250    5,251    4,490    4,490    1,027 
Loans held for sale   443    208    500    184     
Loans   1,406,667    1,380,019    1,350,038    1,289,080    1,279,494 
Unearned fees   (340)   (371)   (327)   (257)   (174)
Allowance for credit losses   (17,480)   (17,146)   (16,905)   (16,871)   (14,636)
Net loans   1,388,847    1,362,502    1,332,806    1,271,952    1,264,684 
Premises and equipment, net   31,459    32,766    33,532    34,207    34,948 
Goodwill and other intangible assets   12,103    12,185    12,268    12,350    12,433 
Bank owned life insurance   47,607    47,282    46,963    46,652    46,346 
Deferred tax assets   11,948    13,020    11,771    11,356    10,605 
Other real estate owned, net   4,493    4,878    4,842    4,598    4,733 
Operating lease asset   1,367    1,905    1,990    2,072    1,898 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets   41,124    37,499    39,836    36,625    35,632 
Total Assets  $1,905,860   $1,928,201   $1,928,393   $1,937,442   $1,848,169 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                         
Liabilities:                         
Non-interest bearing deposits  $427,670   $429,691   $466,628   $468,554   $506,613 
Interest bearing deposits   1,123,307    1,145,378    1,113,331    1,122,731    1,064,120 
Total deposits   1,550,977    1,575,069    1,579,959    1,591,285    1,570,733 
Short-term borrowings   45,418    53,330    50,078    52,030    64,565 
Long-term borrowings   110,929    110,929    110,929    110,929    30,929 
Operating lease liability   1,556    2,347    2,443    2,536    2,373 
Allowance for credit loss on off balance sheet exposures   873    985    1,089    1,128    133 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities   32,904    29,207    27,397    25,332    26,444 
Dividends payable   1,330    1,344    1,342    1,334    1,199 
Total Liabilities   1,743,987    1,773,211    1,773,237    1,784,574    1,696,376 
Shareholders’ Equity:                         
Common Stock – par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,715,170 shares at September 30, 2023 and 6,666,428 at December 31, 2022   66    67    67    67    67 
Surplus   23,734    25,029    24,901    24,529    24,409 
Retained earnings   173,900    173,467    170,298    167,229    166,343 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (35,827)   (43,573)   (40,110)   (38,957)   (39,026)
Total Shareholders’ Equity   161,873    154,990    155,156    152,868    151,793 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $1,905,860   $1,928,201   $1,928,393   $1,937,442   $1,848,169 

 

 

  

   2023   2022 
   Year to
Date
   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Year to
Date
   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1 
In thousands  (Unaudited) 
Interest income                                                  
Interest and fees on loans  $69,569   $19,290   $18,055   $16,780   $15,444   $54,448   $15,097   $14,058   $12,861   $12,432 
Interest on investment securities                                                  
Taxable   7,173    1,834    1,792    1,779    1,768    6,252    1,719    1,587    1,540    1,406 
Exempt from federal income tax   714    53    123    268    270    1,106    272    273    279    282 
Total investment income   7,887    1,887    1,915    2,047    2,038    7,358    1,991    1,860    1,819    1,688 
Other   3,700    1,014    1,194    1,145    347    616    271    267    51    27 
Total interest income   81,156    22,191    21,164    19,972    17,829    62,422    17,359    16,185    14,731    14,147 
Interest expense                                                  
Interest on deposits   19,198    6,498    5,672    4,350    2,678    3,226    1,729    621    401    475 
Interest on short-term borrowings   147    54    33    29    31    112    26    47    21    18 
Interest on long-term borrowings   4,941    1,445    1,475    1,419    602    1,451    424    376    338    313 
Total interest expense   24,286    7,997    7,180    5,798    3,311    4,789    2,179    1,044    760    806 
Net interest income   56,870    14,194    13,984    14,174    14,518    57,633    15,180    15,141    13,971    13,341 
Credit loss expense                                                  
Loans   1,700    530    322    434    414    (643)   (740)   (108)   624    (419)
Debt securities held to maturity   45        45                             
Off balance sheet credit exposures   (125)   (111)   (104)   (39)   129    16    4    7    7    (2)
Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses   1,620    419    263    395    543    (627)   (736)   (101)   631    (421)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   55,250    13,775    13,721    13,779    13,975    58,260    15,916    15,242    13,340    13,762 
Other operating income                                                  
Net (losses)/gains on investments, available for sale   (4,214)   (4,214)               3                3 
Net (losses)/gains on investments, held to maturity                       91    (2)   93         
Gains on sale of residential mortgage loans   381    59    182    86    54    45    14    3    7    21 
Gains/(losses) on disposal of fixed assets   (29)   (29)               33    (1)       6    28 
Net gains   (3,862)   (4,184)   182    86    54    172    11    96    13    52 
Other Income                                                  
Service charges on deposit accounts   2,198    567    569    546    516    1,981    530    523    463    465 
Other service charges   929    223    230    244    232    925    239    241    232    213 
Trust department   8,282    2,148    2,139    2,025    1,970    8,244    2,006    2,005    2,044    2,189 
Debit card income   4,101    1,120    995    1,031    955    3,958    1,036    1,053    983    886 
Bank owned life insurance   1,261    325    320    311    305    1,196    305    302    297    292 
Brokerage commissions   1,160    360    245    258    297    1,049    244    272    313    220 
Other   400    50    218    68    64    525    119    208    81    117 
Total other income   18,331    4,793    4,716    4,483    4,339    17,878    4,479    4,604    4,413    4,382 
Total other operating income   14,469    609    4,898    4,569    4,393    18,050    4,490    4,700    4,426    4,434 
Other operating expenses                                                  
Salaries and employee benefits   27,503    6,391    6,957    6,865    7,290    24,130    6,239    6,130    5,793    5,968 
FDIC premiums   992    268    254    277    193    636    157    150    155    174 
Equipment   4,356    1,188    1,029    1,047    1,092    4,163    1,053    1,037    1,029    1,044 
Occupancy   3,445    1,171    747    743    784    2,906    734    734    711    727 
Data processing   3,980    1,054    1,011    946    969    3,444    928    890    805    821 
Marketing   762    288    220    137    117    543    134    152    151    106 
Professional services   2,160    630    490    522    518    1,538    665    (211)   564    520 
Contract labor   643    172    173    159    139    618    136    159    158    165 
Telephone   466    125    115    116    110    482    117    112    139    114 
Other real estate owned   (89)   (370)   139    18    124    590    215    128    152    95 
Investor relations   345    73    83    132    57    300    42    39    123    96 
Contributions   229    12    74    79    64    288    104    121    42    21 
Other   5,451    1,307    1,493    1,470    1,181    3,491    1,066    888    808    729 
Total other operating expenses   50,243    12,309    12,785    12,511    12,638    43,129    11,590    10,329    10,630    10,580 
Income before income tax expense   19,476    2,075    5,834    5,837    5,730    33,181    8,816    9,613    7,136    7,616 
Provision for income tax expense   4,416    317    1,321    1,423    1,355    8,133    1,847    2,677    1,708    1,901 
Net Income  $15,060   $1,758   $4,513   $4,414   $4,375   $25,048   $6,969   $6,936   $5,428   $5,715 
Basic net income per common share  $2.25   $0.26   $0.67   $0.66   $0.66   $3.77   $1.05   $1.04   $0.82   $0.86 
Diluted net income per common share  $2.24   $0.26   $0.67   $0.66   $0.65   $3.76   $1.04   $1.04   $0.82   $0.86 
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding   6,649    6,649    6,714    6,704    6,675    6,666    6,666    6,658    6,650    6,628 
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding   6,663    6,663    6,728    6,718    6,697    6,692    6,692    6,669    6,661    6,636 
Dividends declared per common share  $0.80   $0.20   $0.20   $0.20   $0.20   $0.63   $0.18   $0.15   $0.15   $0.15 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

Reconciliation of as reported (GAAP) and non-GAAP financial measures

 

The following tables below provide a reconciliation of certain financial measures calculated under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (as reported) and non-GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company’s management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with a greater understanding of the Company’s operating results in addition to the results measured in accordance with GAAP. While management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance, this information should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP or considered to be more important than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude losses on the sale of Available for Sale securities and accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures.

 

   Twelve months ended
December 31,
   Three months ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands, except for per share amount)  2023   2022   2023   2022 
Net income - as reported  $15,060   $25,048   $1,758   $6,969 
Adjustments:                    
     Loss on sale of securities   4,214        4,214     
    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses   623        623     
     Income tax effect of adjustments   (1,097)       (1,097)    
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)  $18,800   $25,048   $5,498   $6,969 
                     
Diluted earnings per share - as reported  $2.24   $3.76   $0.26   $1.04 
Adjustments:                    
     Loss on sale of securities   0.63        0.63     
    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses   0.09        0.09     
    Income tax effect of adjustments   (0.16)       (0.16)    
Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)  $2.80   $3.76   $0.82   $1.04 

 

   As of or for the twelve
months ended
         
   December 31,         
(in thousands, except per share data)  2023   2022         
Per Share Data                    
Basic net income per share (1) - as reported  $2.25   $3.77           
Basic net income per share (1) - non-GAAP   2.81    3.77           
Diluted net income per share (1) - as reported  $2.24   $3.76           
Diluted net income per share (1) - non-GAAP   2.80    3.76           
Basic book value per share  $24.38   $22.77           
Diluted book value per share  $24.33   $22.68           
                     
Significant Ratios:                    
                     
Return on Average Assets (1) - as reported   0.78%   1.39%          
Loss on sale of securities   0.22%              
Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses   0.03%              
Income tax effect of adjustments   (0.06%)              
Adjusted Return on Average Assets (1) (non-GAAP)   0.97%   1.39%          
                     
Return on Average Equity (1) - as reported   9.68%   18.19%          
Loss on sale of securities   2.71%              
Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses   0.40%              
Income tax effect of adjustments   (0.71%)              
Adjusted Return on Average Equity (1) (non-GAAP)   12.08%   18.19%          

 

(1) See reconcilation of this non-GAAP financial measure provided elsewhere herein.

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 31, 
   2023   2022 
(dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/Rate
 
Assets                              
Loans  $1,398,393   $19,308    5.48%  $1,281,958   $15,114    4.68%
Investment Securities:                              
     Taxable   332,545    1,834    2.19%   336,727    1,719    2.03%
     Non taxable   8,107    96    4.70%   26,457    487    7.30%
     Total   340,652    1,930    2.25%   363,184    2,206    2.41%
Federal funds sold   60,400    907    5.96%   35,403    247    2.77%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   1,867    22    4.68%   1,568    12    3.04%
Other interest earning assets   5,251    85    6.42%   1,027    12    4.64%
Total earning assets   1,806,563    22,252    4.89%   1,683,140    17,591    4.15%
Allowance for loan losses   (17,304)             (15,446)          
Non-earning assets   194,309              177,581           
Total Assets  $1,983,568             $1,845,275           
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                              
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $366,450   $1,440    1.56%  $316,361   $486    0.61%
Interest-bearing money markets   365,439    3,135    3.40%   367,866    909    0.98%
Savings deposits   196,777    51    0.10%   253,674    84    0.13%
Time deposits - retail   163,253    1,122    2.73%   124,417    250    0.80%
Time deposits - brokered   56,006    751    5.32%           %
Short-term borrowings   43,693    55    0.50%   66,399    26    0.16%
Long-term borrowings   110,929    1,445    5.17%   30,929    424    5.44%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,302,547    7,999    2.44%   1,159,646    2,179    0.75%
Non-interest-bearing deposits   487,012              508,906           
Other liabilities   35,957              36,499           
Shareholders’ Equity   158,052              140,224           
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $1,983,568             $1,845,275           
Net interest income and spread       $14,253    2.44%       $15,412    3.40%
Net interest margin             3.13%             3.63%

 

 

 

   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31, 
   2023   2022 
(dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Assets                              
Loans  $1,340,118   $69,631    5.20%  $1,223,388   $54,513    4.46%
Investment Securities:                              
     Taxable   335,888    7,173    2.14%   348,516    6,252    1.79%
     Non taxable   18,471    1,279    6.92%   26,952    1,981    7.35%
     Total   354,359    8,452    2.39%   375,468    8,233    2.19%
Federal funds sold   65,131    3,409    5.23%   44,207    555    1.26%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks   2,585    92    3.56%   3,061    24    0.78%
Other interest earning assets   4,048    198    4.89%   1,027    37    3.60%
Total earning assets   1,766,241    81,782    4.63%   1,647,151    63,362    3.85%
Allowance for loan losses   (16,561)             (15,568)          
Non-earning assets   199,474              170,128           
Total Assets  $1,949,154             $1,801,711           
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                              
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $362,070   $4,815    1.30%  $301,183   $855    0.28%
Interest-bearing money markets   333,274    8,672    2.60%   312,978    1,256    0.40%
Savings deposits   219,516    240    0.11%   250,624    154    0.06%
Time deposits - retail   141,921    2,872    2.02%   138,865    961    0.69%
Time deposits - brokered   49,209    2,600    5.28%           %
Short-term borrowings   47,968    147    0.31%   63,182    112    0.18%
Long-term borrowings   94,271    4,941    5.24%   30,929    1,451    4.69%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,248,229    24,287    1.95%   1,097,761    4,789    0.44%
Non-interest-bearing deposits   512,496              533,096           
Other liabilities   32,320              33,169           
Shareholders’ Equity   156,109              137,685           
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  $1,949,154             $1,801,711           
Net interest income and spread       $57,495    2.68%       $58,573    3.41%
Net interest margin             3.26%             3.56%