2024 Q3 Results Driven by Loan Growth, Net
Interest Margin Expansion, and Continued Strong Asset Quality
The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), ("the Company", "we", "us",
"our"), parent company of First National Bank, today reported
unaudited net income of $7.6 million with diluted earnings per
share of $0.68 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The
Company also reported results for the nine months ended September
30, 2024. Net income year-to-date in 2024 was $19.8 million, with
diluted earnings per share of $1.78.
Third Quarter Notable Items:
- Net Income growth of 22.7% from Q2; diluted EPS growth of
22.6%
- Net Interest Income at its highest level in six quarters
- Net Interest Margin increased by 11 basis points from Q2
- Total assets reached $3.14 billion, an increase of $57.6
million in Q3
- Loan balances grew in Q3 at an annualized rate of 10.6% to
$2.31 billion
- Ratio of Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets of 0.08%
- Quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.36 per share
CEO COMMENTS
"I am pleased to report our results for the third quarter,"
commented Tony C. McKim, the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer. "Net income increased 22.7% from the second
quarter of 2024 ("linked quarter"), and diluted earnings per share
increased 22.6%.
"A definite bright note for the period was an expansion of 11
basis points in our net interest margin, attributable to rising
asset yields and flat funding costs. Coupled with earning asset
growth, the expanded margin led to a $1.3 million, or 8.8%,
increase in net interest income from the linked quarter. While the
Federal Reserve's action to lower short term rates by 0.50% in
September had minimal effect on third quarter results, we expect to
continue to see gradual margin improvement in coming quarters as
pressures on funding costs ease."
Mr. McKim concluded, "Our balance sheet continues to grow in a
responsible manner while also displaying strong asset quality,
capital, and liquidity positions. Growth remains centered in the
loan portfolio with over $129 million in new loans granted in the
third quarter. We are proud to strongly support our customers and
communities in the Bank's 160th year."
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Net income was $7.6 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the
three months ended September 30, 2024. On a Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision
("PTPP") basis, earnings for the quarter were $8.5 million. Results
compare favorably to the linked quarter for which net income was
$6.2 million, diluted earnings per share were $0.55, and PTPP
earnings were $8.0 million. The drivers of third quarter results
are discussed in the following sections:
Net Interest Income
Net interest income was $16.4 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2024, an increase of $1.3 million or 8.8% from the
second quarter of 2024, and the best three-month period since the
first quarter of 2023. Net interest margin improved by 11 basis
points to 2.32% for the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.21% in the
second quarter. The average tax equivalent yield on earning assets
increased 6 basis points in the third quarter to 5.28%, while the
cost of total liabilities was unchanged at an average of 3.48% for
the quarter.
Provision for Credit Losses
A reverse provision for credit losses on loans of $580,000 was
recorded in the third quarter of 2024, compared with a provision
expense of $539,000 in the second quarter. Models implemented in
the third quarter introduced post-pandemic experience into the
Bank's discounted cash flow based estimates, a period of strong
asset quality for the Bank. This change, coupled with a refresh of
peer groups used in our analysis, led to the modest reversal for
the period. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 net
charge-offs were $113,000; net charge-offs year-to-date in 2024
totaled $89,000, or an annualized 0.005% of total loans. A
provision for credit losses on held- to-maturity securities was
made in the amount of $76,000 and a reverse provision for
off-balance sheet exposures of $134,000 was also recorded.
Non-Interest Income
Total non-interest income was $4.1 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2024, level with the linked quarter, and in
line with management's expectations. The Bank recorded a quarterly
gain of 2.4% in Debit Card income, while revenues from Wealth
Management and Service Charges on Deposit Accounts each had small
decreases from the prior period.
Non-Interest Expense
Total non-interest expense for the three months ended September
30, 2024 was $12.0 million, an increase of $750,000, or 6.7%, from
the three months ended June 30, 2024. The period-to-period change
is mostly attributable to employee salaries and benefits, resulting
from a decrease in loan-related salary deferrals, seasonal hiring
activity and incentive compensation accruals. The Company's
efficiency ratio for the third quarter was 56.37%, essentially
unchanged from the linked quarter ratio of 56.35%.
Loans, Total Assets & Funding
Total assets at September 30, 2024, were $3.14 billion, up $57.6
million in the third quarter and up $198.4 million from a year ago.
Earning assets increased $54.8 million during the quarter comprised
primarily of an increase in loans of $59.6 million. Earning assets
have increased by $199.6 million since September 30, 2023, centered
in loan growth of $227.4 million.
Loan growth in the third quarter was led by commercial credit.
Commercial and industrial balances increased $37.9 million and
multifamily loan balances increased $4.8 million; commercial real
estate balances fell by $1.6 million. The residential term and home
equity segments also contributed to loan portfolio growth, up $12.1
million and $4.8 million, respectively, in the quarter.
Total deposits at September 30, 2024 were $2.70 billion, up
$124.6 million during the period, and up $102.8 million, or 4.0%,
from September 30, 2023. The Bank typically sees a lift in local
deposits in the third quarter attributable to seasonal factors.
Non-maturity deposits led with an increase of $111.1 million while
time deposits increased $13.6 million. The increase in deposit
levels allowed for a $79.6 million decrease in borrowings during
the period, including the full redemption of a $25 million Bank
Term Funding Program advance which was due to mature in the first
quarter of 2025. Uninsured deposits as of September 30, 2024, were
estimated at 17% of total deposits, and 73% of uninsured deposits
were fully collateralized. Available day-one liquidity was $703
million, sufficient to cover 149% of estimated uninsured
deposits.
ASSET QUALITY
Asset quality continues to be very strong. As of September 30,
2024, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.08%,
down slightly from the 0.09% of total assets reported as of June
30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. The ratio of non-performing loans
to total loans was 0.11% as of September 30, 2024, consistent with
the 0.11% and 0.12% reported as of June 30, 2024 and September 30,
2023, respectively. Past due loans remain low at 0.14% of total
loans as of September 30, 2024, a slight decrease from 0.15% of
total loans as of June 30, 2024 and a slight increase from 0.10% of
total loans as of September 30, 2023.
The Allowance for Credit Losses (ACL) on Loans stood at 1.04% of
total loans as of September 30, 2024, as compared to an ACL of
1.10% and 1.12% of total loans as of June 30, 2024, and September
30, 2023, respectively. The loan portfolio continues to be
well-diversified with Commercial Real Estate exposures comfortably
below regulatory guidance limits, and with very limited exposure in
sectors considered to pose potential risks for the industry, such
as office space.
CAPITAL
The Company’s regulatory capital position remained strong as of
September 30, 2024. The Leverage Capital ratio was an estimated
8.53% as of September 30, 2024, as compared to the 8.58% and 8.65%
reported as of June 30, 2024, and as of September 30, 2023,
respectively, with period-to-period changes attributable primarily
to earning asset growth. The estimated Total Risk-Based Capital
ratio was 13.11% as of September 30, 2024, as compared to the
13.24% and 13.76% reported as of June 30, 2024, and as of September
30, 2023, respectively. The Company's tangible book value per share
was $20.27 as of September 30, 2024, up from $19.20 as of June 30,
2024 and up from $17.66 as of September 30, 2023. Earning asset
growth during the quarter, coupled with a smaller unrealized loss
position on available-for-sale securities, produced a Tangible
Common Equity ratio of 7.26% as of September 30, 2024, as compared
to 7.00% as of June 30, 2024 and 6.72% as of September 30,
2023.
DIVIDEND
On September 26, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared
a third quarter dividend of $0.36 per share. The dividend was paid
on October 18, 2024, to shareholders of record as of October 8,
2024.
ABOUT THE FIRST BANCORP
The First Bancorp, the parent company of First National Bank, is
based in Damariscotta, Maine. Founded in 1864, First National Bank
is a full-service community bank with $3.11 billion in assets. The
Bank provides a complete array of commercial and retail banking
services through eighteen locations in mid-coast and eastern Maine.
First National Wealth Management, a division of the Bank, provides
investment management and trust services to individuals,
businesses, and municipalities. More information about The First
Bancorp, First National Bank and First National Wealth Management
may be found at www.thefirst.com.
The First Bancorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
In thousands of dollars, except per share
data
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
September 30, 2023
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
35,136
$
31,942
$
29,894
Interest-bearing deposits in other
banks
17,199
3,488
38,366
Securities available-for-sale
285,021
282,053
284,972
Securities held-to-maturity
377,635
385,235
387,374
Restricted equity securities, at cost
6,420
3,385
3,860
Loans held for sale
—
—
268
Loans
2,307,253
2,129,454
2,079,860
Less allowance for credit losses
23,999
24,030
23,322
Net loans
2,283,254
2,105,424
2,056,538
Accrued interest receivable
14,600
11,894
12,038
Premises and equipment
27,449
28,684
28,868
Other real estate owned
173
—
—
Goodwill
30,646
30,646
30,646
Other assets
65,030
63,947
71,315
Total assets
$
3,142,563
$
2,946,698
$
2,944,139
Liabilities
Demand deposits
$
312,956
$
289,104
$
323,375
NOW deposits
651,242
634,543
683,180
Money market deposits
344,102
305,931
271,056
Savings deposits
269,092
299,837
313,160
Certificates of deposit
693,948
646,818
641,429
Certificates $100,000 to $250,000
251,910
251,192
234,962
Certificates $250,000 and over
179,468
172,237
132,775
Total deposits
2,702,718
2,599,662
2,599,937
Borrowed funds
151,027
69,652
82,993
Other liabilities
32,035
34,305
34,544
Total Liabilities
2,885,780
2,703,619
2,717,474
Shareholders' equity
Common stock
111
111
111
Additional paid-in capital
71,389
70,071
69,649
Retained earnings
219,559
211,925
209,132
Net unrealized loss on securities
available-for-sale
(34,394
)
(39,575
)
(53,852
)
Net unrealized loss on securities
transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity
(49
)
(56
)
(58
)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow
hedging derivative instruments
(136
)
300
1,410
Net unrealized gain on postretirement
costs
303
303
273
Total shareholders' equity
256,783
243,079
226,665
Total liabilities & shareholders'
equity
$
3,142,563
$
2,946,698
$
2,944,139
Common Stock
Number of shares authorized
18,000,000
18,000,000
18,000,000
Number of shares issued and
outstanding
11,148,066
11,098,057
11,089,290
Book value per common share
$
23.03
$
21.90
$
20.44
Tangible book value per common share
$
20.27
$
19.12
$
17.66
The First Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
In thousands of dollars, except per share
data
For the nine months
ended
For the quarter ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans
$
95,541
$
78,860
$
33,498
$
31,839
$
28,329
Interest on deposits with other banks
190
300
56
56
211
Interest and dividends on investments
14,102
14,192
4,733
4,663
4,714
Total interest income
109,833
93,352
38,287
36,558
33,254
Interest expense
Interest on deposits
59,111
42,384
20,118
19,816
16,992
Interest on borrowed funds
4,365
1,614
1,767
1,667
308
Total interest expense
63,476
43,998
21,885
21,483
17,300
Net interest income
46,357
49,354
16,402
15,075
15,954
Credit loss (reduction) expense
(639
)
501
(638
)
512
(200
)
Net interest income after provision for
credit losses
46,996
48,853
17,040
14,563
16,154
Non-interest income
Investment management and fiduciary
income
3,689
3,515
1,232
1,269
1,160
Service charges on deposit accounts
1,552
1,399
511
542
465
Mortgage origination and servicing
income
512
611
193
189
224
Debit card income
3,884
3,843
1,365
1,333
1,367
Other operating income
2,282
1,962
821
824
675
Total non-interest income
11,919
11,330
4,122
4,157
3,891
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits
17,768
16,420
6,126
5,585
5,523
Occupancy expense
2,532
2,494
823
843
784
Furniture and equipment expense
4,182
4,009
1,416
1,377
1,403
FDIC insurance premiums
1,762
1,429
636
562
551
Amortization of identified intangibles
20
20
7
6
7
Other operating expense
8,747
8,199
2,992
2,877
2,738
Total non-interest expense
35,011
32,571
12,000
11,250
11,006
Income before income taxes
23,904
27,612
9,162
7,470
9,039
Applicable income taxes
4,141
4,773
1,591
1,299
1,565
Net Income
$
19,763
$
22,839
$
7,571
$
6,171
$
7,474
Basic earnings per share
$
1.79
$
2.08
$
0.69
$
0.56
$
0.68
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.78
$
2.06
$
0.68
$
0.55
$
0.67
The First Bancorp
Selected
Financial Data (Unaudited)
Dollars in thousands, except for per share
amounts
As of and for the nine months
ended
As of and for the quarter
ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Summary of Operations
Interest Income
$
109,833
$
93,352
$
38,287
$
36,558
$
33,254
Interest Expense
63,476
43,998
21,885
21,483
17,300
Net Interest Income
46,357
49,354
16,402
15,075
15,954
Credit loss (reduction) expense
(639
)
501
(638
)
512
(200
)
Non-Interest Income
11,919
11,330
4,122
4,157
3,891
Non-Interest Expense
35,011
32,571
12,000
11,250
11,006
Net Income
19,763
22,839
7,571
6,171
7,474
Per Common Share Data
Basic Earnings per Share
$
1.789
$
2.078
$
0.685
$
0.559
$
0.679
Diluted Earnings per Share
1.775
2.062
0.679
0.554
0.674
Cash Dividends Declared
1.070
1.040
0.360
0.360
0.350
Book Value per Common Share
23.03
20.44
23.03
21.96
20.44
Tangible Book Value per Common Share
20.27
17.66
20.27
19.20
17.66
Market Value
26.32
23.50
26.32
24.85
23.50
Financial Ratios
Return on Average Equity1
10.67
%
13.00
%
11.86
%
10.16
%
12.67
%
Return on Average Tangible Common
Equity1
12.19
%
14.97
%
13.50
%
11.63
%
14.59
%
Return on Average Assets1
0.87
%
1.08
%
0.98
%
0.82
%
1.02
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
8.20
%
8.27
%
8.24
%
8.10
%
8.07
%
Average Tangible Equity to Average
Assets
7.18
%
7.18
%
7.24
%
7.08
%
7.01
%
Net Interest Margin Tax-Equivalent1
2.25
%
2.54
%
2.32
%
2.21
%
2.40
%
Dividend Payout Ratio
59.81
%
50.00
%
52.55
%
64.40
%
51.47
%
Allowance for Credit Losses/Total
Loans
1.04
%
1.12
%
1.04
%
1.10
%
1.12
%
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans
0.11
%
0.12
%
0.11
%
0.11
%
0.12
%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets
0.08
%
0.09
%
0.08
%
0.09
%
0.09
%
Efficiency Ratio
57.88
%
51.88
%
56.37
%
56.35
%
53.49
%
At Period End
Total Assets
$
3,142,563
$
2,944,139
$
3,142,563
$
3,084,944
$
2,944,139
Total Loans
2,307,253
2,079,860
2,307,253
2,247,670
2,079,860
Total Investment Securities
669,076
676,206
669,076
658,133
676,206
Total Deposits
2,702,718
2,599,937
2,702,718
2,578,080
2,599,937
Total Shareholders' Equity
256,783
226,665
256,783
244,668
226,665
1Annualized using a 366-day basis for 2024
and a 365-day basis for 2023.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Certain information in this release contains financial
information determined by methods other than in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (“GAAP”). Management uses these “non-GAAP” measures in its
analysis of the Company's performance (including for purposes of
determining the compensation of certain executive officers and
other Company employees) and believes that these non-GAAP financial
measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and
enhance comparability of results with prior periods and with other
financial institutions, as well as demonstrating the effects of
significant gains and charges in the current period, in light of
the disclosure practices employed by many other publicly-traded
financial institutions. The Company believes that a meaningful
analysis of its financial performance requires an understanding of
the factors underlying that performance. Management believes that
investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze
financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may
obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These
disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating
results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they
necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be
presented by other companies.
In several places net interest income is calculated on a fully
tax-equivalent basis. Specifically included in interest income was
tax-exempt interest income from certain investment securities and
loans. An amount equal to the tax benefit derived from this
tax-exempt income has been added back to the interest income total
which, as adjusted, increased net interest income accordingly.
Management believes the disclosure of tax-equivalent net interest
income information improves the clarity of financial analysis, and
is particularly useful to investors in understanding and evaluating
the changes and trends in the Company's results of operations.
Other financial institutions commonly present net interest income
on a tax-equivalent basis. This adjustment is considered helpful in
the comparison of one financial institution's net interest income
to that of another institution, as each will have a different
proportion of tax-exempt interest from its earning assets.
Moreover, net interest income is a component of a second financial
measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest
margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average
earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, other
financial institutions generally use tax-equivalent net interest
income to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to
institution. The Company follows these practices.
The following table provides a reconciliation of tax-equivalent
financial information to the Company's consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. A
21.0% tax rate was used in both 2024 and 2023.
For the nine months
ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Net interest income as presented
$
46,357
$
49,354
$
16,402
$
15,075
$
15,954
Effect of tax-exempt income
2,072
1,965
717
$
686
685
Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
48,429
$
51,319
$
17,119
$
15,761
$
16,639
The Company presents its efficiency ratio using non-GAAP
information which is most commonly used by financial institutions.
The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is non-interest expenses divided by
net interest income plus non-interest income from the Consolidated
Statements of Income. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes
securities losses and provision for credit losses on securities
from non-interest expenses, excludes securities gains from
non-interest income, and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net
interest income. The following table provides a reconciliation
between the GAAP and non-GAAP efficiency ratio:
For the nine months
ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Non-interest expense, as presented
$
35,011
$
32,571
$
12,000
$
11,250
$
11,006
Net interest income, as presented
46,357
49,354
16,402
15,075
15,954
Effect of tax-exempt interest income
2,072
1,965
717
686
685
Non-interest income, as presented
11,919
11,330
4,122
4,157
3,891
Effect of non-interest tax-exempt
income
136
131
45
45
44
Adjusted net interest income plus
non-interest income
$
60,484
$
62,780
$
21,286
$
19,963
$
20,574
Non-GAAP efficiency ratio
57.88
%
51.88
%
56.37
%
56.35
%
53.49
%
GAAP efficiency ratio
60.08
%
53.67
%
58.47
%
58.50
%
55.46
%
The Company presents certain information based upon tangible
common equity instead of total shareholders' equity. The difference
between these two measures is the Company's intangible assets,
specifically goodwill from prior acquisitions. Management, banking
regulators and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity
ratio and the tangible book value per common share in conjunction
with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital
adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of
goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the
use of the purchase accounting method in accounting for mergers and
acquisitions. The following table provides a reconciliation of
average tangible common equity to the Company's consolidated
financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP:
For the nine months
ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Average shareholders' equity as
presented
$
247,463
$
234,832
$
253,911
$
244,321
$
234,024
Less intangible assets
(30,820
)
(30,847
)
(30,827
)
(30,827
)
(30,853
)
Tangible average shareholders' equity
$
216,643
$
203,985
$
223,084
$
213,494
$
203,171
To provide period-to-period comparison of operating results
prior to consideration of credit loss provision and income taxes,
the non-GAAP measure of PTPP Net Income is presented. The following
table provides a reconciliation to Net Income:
For the nine months
ended
For the quarters ended
In thousands of dollars
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Net Income, as presented
$
19,763
$
22,839
$
7,571
$
6,171
$
7,474
Add: credit loss (reduction) expense
(639
)
501
(638
)
512
(200
)
Add: income taxes
4,141
4,773
1,591
1,299
1,565
Pre-Tax, pre-provision net income
$
23,265
$
28,113
$
8,524
$
7,982
$
8,839
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained
herein, statements contained in this release may constitute
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve
a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual results and events to differ materially, as discussed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Category: Earnings
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241023064134/en/
The First Bancorp Richard M. Elder, EVP, Chief Financial Officer
207-563-3195 rick.elder@thefirst.com
Grafico Azioni First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNLC)
Storico
Da Ott 2024 a Nov 2024
Grafico Azioni First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNLC)
Storico
Da Nov 2023 a Nov 2024