(MENAFN Editorial) ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Feb. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:) today reported financial results for the 2017 fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.
2017 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):
59 consecutive quarters of profitability Total gross loans increased 3.5% from 2017 third quarter Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 12.0% to $9,481,000 Net income increased 7.6% to a record $3,436,000 Basic and diluted earnings per share increased 5.7% to $0.37
(share data has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split on September 20, 2017) Return on average assets of 1.25%, up from 1.22% Return on average equity of 10.29%, up from 10.12% 2017 Full-Year Financial Highlights Include:
Total gross loans increased 8.6% to a record $823,024,000 Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 10.9% to $35,899,000 Net income increased 9.1% to a record $12,720,000 Basic and diluted earnings per share increased 8.7% to a record $1.38
(share data has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split on September 20, 2017) Return on average assets of 1.18%, up from 1.14% Return on average equity of 9.75%, up from 9.38% Tangible book value per share increased 7.0% to $13.99 'Across the board, 2017 was an historic year of achievements for Farmers & Merchants as our bank attained record financial and operating results,' stated Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'During 2017, total loans increased 8.6% to a record $823,024,000, and profitability improved 9.1% to a record $12,720,000, driven by a net interest margin of 3.61%, which was an increase of five basis points over the prior year. The growth we achieved during 2017 was a direct result of the company's focus on loan growth, the contribution of the three new branches we have opened in the past three years, and stable economic trends across our markets. I am pleased that we were able to share 2017's success with our shareholders by increasing the company's quarterly cash stock dividend twice during the year, as well as declaring a two-for-one stock split in August. The annual cash dividend, adjusted for the two-for-one stock split, increased 8.7% year-over-year to $0.50 per share, representing the 18th consecutive year F & M raised its annual cash dividend. Finally, I am encouraged by F & M's improving investor awareness, as a result of the company's strong 2017 operating and financial results, the uplisting to Nasdaq, the inclusion into the Russell 3000, and the two-for-one stock split.'
Income Statement
Net income for the 2017 fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017 was $3,436,000, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share, compared to $3,194,000, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year. The 7.6% improvement in net income for the 2017 fourth quarter was primarily due to a 12.0% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, partially offset by a 4.9% increase in noninterest expense.
Net income for the 2017 twelve months was $12,720,000, or $1.38 per basic and diluted share compared to $11,664,000, or $1.27 per basic and diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The 9.1% improvement in net income for 2017 was primarily due to a 10.9% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, partially offset by a 4.7% increase in noninterest expense.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 did not have a material impact on F & M's 2017 fourth quarter or full year financial results, and the company expects to benefit from a lower effective tax rate in 2018.
Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
Total loans were $823,024,000, compared to $758,094,000 at December 31, 2016, and $795,205,000 at September 30, 2017. Total loans for 2017, compared to 2016, increased 8.6%, and were up 3.5% from the 2017 third quarter. Year-over-year loan growth was strong across many of the company's lending areas and included an 8.8% increase in commercial real estate loans, a 15.6% increase in commercial and industrial loans, a 13.8% increase in consumer loans, an 2.7% increase in agricultural real estate loans, and a 12.5% increase in agricultural loans, partially offset by a 3.0% reduction in consumer real estate loans.
The company's provision for loan losses for the 2017 fourth quarter was $25,000, compared to $197,000 for the 2016 fourth quarter. The provision for loan losses for 2017 was $222,000, compared to $1,121,000 in 2016.
F & M's loan quality remains strong as the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 684.8% at December 31, 2017, compared to 490.4% at December 31, 2016. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $138,000, or 0.02% of average loans, compared to $394,000 or 0.05% of average loans, at December 31, 2016.
Stockholders' Equity and Dividends
Tangible stockholders' equity increased to $129,667,000 as of December 31, 2017, compared to $120,763,000 at December 31, 2016. On a per share basis, tangible stockholders' equity at December 31, 2017 was $13.99 compared to $13.07 at December 31, 2016. The increase in tangible stockholders' equity is the result of growth in retained earnings due to increased profitability. At December 31, 2017, the company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 12.02%, compared to 11.77% at December 31, 2016.
For 2017, the company declared cash dividends of $0.50 per share, which is an 8.7% increase over 2016's declared dividend. For 2017, the dividend payout ratio was 34.72% compared to 32.97% for the same period last year.
Mr. Siebenmorgen concluded, 'F & M remains well positioned in its local Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana markets, which continue to demonstrate favorable economic trends. While we had many financial and operating achievements during 2017, we are not complacent. Across all layers of the company we remain focused on executing our growth-oriented business plan and see significant growth opportunities throughout 2018 and beyond within our existing markets, as well as the three new markets we have entered in the past three years. The company continues to implement its proactive de novo growth strategy, and during the 2018 first quarter, F & M opened its 25th branch in Findlay, Ohio. I am excited to enter Hancock County and begin offering our community-oriented banking services to customer within this compelling market. Our 2017 financial results demonstrate the success we are having achieving our growth goals and we are optimistic 2018 will be another good year for the bank.'
About Farmer & Merchants State Bank:
The Farmers & Merchants State Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services through its 25 offices. Our locations are in Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Williams, and Wood counties in Northwest Ohio. In Northeast Indiana we have offices located in DeKalb, Allen and Steuben counties.
Safe harbor statement
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. ("F & M") wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F & M, including management's expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F & M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions or capital market conditions. F & M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F & M's SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC's website, .
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Interest Income
Loans, including fees $ 9,828 $ 8,706 $ 37,195 $ 33,703
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agencies 610 639 2,480 2,373
Municipalities 288 344 1,193 1,437
Dividends 52 38 187 149
Federal funds sold 59 13 69 22
Other 31 6 124 43
Total interest income 10,868 9,746 41,248 37,727
Interest Expense
Deposits 1,194 931 4,483 3,617
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase 131 112 497 458
Borrowed funds 37 38 147 148
Total interest expense 1,362 1,081 5,127 4,223
Net Interest Income - Before Provision for Loan Losses 9,506 8,665 36,121 33,504
Provision for Loan Losses 25 197 222 1,121
Net Interest Income After Provision
For Loan Losses 9,481 8,468 35,899 32,383
Noninterest Income
Customer service fees 1,478 1,621 5,609 6,118
Other service charges and fees 1,054 924 4,268 3,774
Net gain on sale of loans 211 269 811 888
Net gain on sale of available for sale securities - 85 47 588
Total noninterest income 2,743 2,899 10,735 11,368
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and Wages 3,239 2,959 12,613 11,620
Employee benefits 987 897 3,635 3,323
Net occupancy expense 268 376 1,489 1,459
Furniture and equipment 402 431 1,858 1,724
Data processing 294 277 1,213 1,409
Franchise taxes 226 220 902 878
Net (gain) loss on sale of other assets owned - 42 27 81
FDIC Assessment 83 39 330 407
Mortgage servicing rights amortization 88 108 354 419
Other general and administrative 1,618 1,517 6,310 6,111
Total other operating expenses 7,205 6,866 28,731 27,431
Income Before Income Taxes 5,019 4,501 17,903 16,320
Income Taxes 1,583 1,307 5,183 4,656
Net Income 3,436 3,194 12,720 11,664
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Net of Tax):
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities (1,717 ) (5,373 ) 267 (2,721 )
Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of available for
sale securities - (85 ) (47 ) (588 )
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities (1,717 ) (5,458 ) 220 (3,309 )
Tax expense (benefit) (585 ) (1,856 ) 74 (1,125 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) (1,132 ) (3,602 ) 146 (2,184 )
Comprehensive Income (Loss) $ 2,304 $ (408 ) $ 12,866 $ 9,480
Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted (1) $ 0.37 $ 0.35 $ 1.38 $ 1.27
Dividends Declared (1) $ 0.13 $ 0.12 $ 0.50 $ 0.46
(1) Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016
(in thousands of dollars)
(in thousands of dollars)
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks $ 33,480 $ 27,348
Federal Funds Sold 987 974
Total cash and cash equivalents 34,467 28,322
Interest-bearing time deposits 4,018 1,915
Securities - available-for-sale 196,398 218,527
Other Securities, at cost 3,717 3,717
Loans held for sale 1,221 2,055
Loans, net 816,156 751,310
Premises and equipment 21,617 21,457
Construction in Progress 109 -
Goodwill 4,074 4,074
Mortgage Servicing Rights 2,299 2,192
Other Real Estate Owned 674 774
Bank Owned Life Insurance 14,523 14,376
Other assets 7,736 7,176
Total Assets $ 1,107,009 $ 1,055,895
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing $ 199,114 $ 186,390
Interest-bearing
NOW accounts 298,711 230,446
Savings 233,949 226,537
Time 187,566 198,830
Total deposits 919,340 842,203
Federal Funds Purchased and
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 39,495 70,324
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances 5,000 10,000
Dividend payable 1,193 1,053
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,844 6,738
Total liabilities 972,872 930,318
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock - No par value 20,000,000 shares authorized; 11,546 11,947
issued and outstanding 10,400,000 shares 12/31/17 and 12/31/16 (1)
Treasury Stock - 1,134,120 shares 12/31/17, 1,158,250 shares 12/31/16 (1) (12,160 ) (12,267 )
Retained earnings 136,577 127,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,826 ) (1,972 )
Total stockholders' equity 134,137 125,577
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,107,009 $ 1,055,895
(1) Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017
For the Three Months Ended For the Twelve Months Ended
December 31 December 31
Selected financial data 2017 2016 2017 2016
Return on average assets 1.25% 1.22% 1.18% 1.14%
Return on average equity 10.29% 10.12% 9.75% 9.38%
Yield on earning assets 4.24% 4.05% 4.12% 4.00%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities 0.71% 0.55% 0.68% 0.59%
Net interest spread 3.53% 3.49% 3.44% 3.41%
Net interest margin 3.72% 3.61% 3.61% 3.56%
Efficiency 58.15% 58.98% 60.62% 61.00%
Dividend payout ratio 34.72% 32.97% 36.02% 35.68%
Tangible book value per share (1) $ 13.99 $ 13.07
Tier 1 capital to average assets 12.02% 11.77%
December 31
Loans 2017 2016
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Commercial real estate $ 410,520 $ 377,481
Agricultural real estate 64,073 62,375
Consumer real estate 83,620 86,234
Commercial and industrial 126,275 109,256
Agricultural 95,111 84,563
Consumer 37,757 33,179
Industrial development bonds 6,415 5,732
Less: Net deferred loan fees and costs (747 ) (726 )
Total loans $ 823,024 $ 758,094
December 31
Asset quality data 2017 2016
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans $ 1,003 $ 1,384
Troubled debt restructuring $ 683 $ 697
90 day past due and accruing $ - $ -
Nonperforming loans $ 1,003 $ 1,384
Other real estate owned $ 674 $ 774
Non-performing assets $ 1,677 $ 2,158
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Allowance for loan and lease losses $ 6,868 $ 6,784
Allowance for loan and lease losses/total loans 0.83% 0.89%
Net charge-offs:
Quarter-to-date $ 27 $ 25
Year-to-date $ 138 $ 394
Net charge-offs to average loans
Quarter-to-date 0.00% 0.00%
Year-to-date 0.02% 0.05%
Non-performing loans/total loans 0.12% 0.18%
Allowance for loan and lease losses/nonperforming loans 684.83% 490.39%
(1) Share data has been adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split on September 20, 2017
Company Contact:
Marty Filogamo
Senior Vice President – Marketing Manager
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
(419) 445-3501 ext. 15435 Investor and Media Contact:
Andrew M. Berger
Managing Director
SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400
MENAFN0902201800703653ID1096446930