LAKEVILLE, Conn., July 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (“Salisbury”), (NASDAQ:SAL), the holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), announced results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Net income available to common shareholders was $1.7 million, or $0.63 per common share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 (second quarter 2016), compared with $1.5 million, or $0.55 per common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (first quarter 2016), and $2.0 million, or $0.74 per common share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 (second quarter 2015).

Selected Second Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

  • Earnings Per Share increased 14.5% to $0.63 for the second quarter 2016 as compared with the $0.55 for the first quarter 2016.
  • Net Loans increased $20.7 million, or 2.8%, in the second quarter 2016 to $749.5 million versus the first quarter 2016 and increased $71.8 million, or 10.6% versus the second quarter 2015.
  • Book value per common share increased $0.37 to $33.57 at June 30, 2016 from $33.20 at March 31, 2016, and $1.31 as compared to $32.26 at June 30, 2015.
  • Tangible book value per common share of $28.28 at June 30, 2016 increased $0.44 from $27.84 at March 31, 2016, and $1.59 as compared to $26.69 at June 30, 2015.

Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our second quarter results continue to validate our role as a community bank as well as our excellent reputation as an alternative to larger banks in our marketplace. With assets over $900 million and loan growth of more than $50 million so far this year, we have demonstrated capabilities and teams in place to effectively serve our markets. While the historically low interest rate environment continues to challenge our industry, the Bank’s growth, interest margin of 3.71% and improvements in our efficiency ratio have resulted in a strong quarter. An increase in Tangible Book Value of $0.44 for the quarter continues to reflect management’s focus on enhancing the value of our franchise.”

Net-Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for second quarter 2016 decreased $112,000, or 1.4%, versus first quarter 2016, and decreased $211,000 or 2.6%, versus second quarter 2015. Average earning assets increased $7.8 million versus first quarter 2016, and increased $42.1 million versus second quarter 2015. Average total interest bearing deposits increased $4.2 million versus first quarter 2016 and increased $8.4 million versus second quarter 2015. The net interest margin of 3.71% decreased 8 basis points versus 3.79% for the first quarter 2016 and decreased 30 basis points versus 4.01% for the second quarter 2015.

Interest income for the second quarter reflects net accretion related to the fair value adjustments of loans acquired in the Riverside Bank acquisition in the amount of $46,000. The first quarter 2016 and second quarter of 2015 included similar adjustments of $443,000 and $582,000 respectively.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for second quarter 2016 increased $325,000 versus first quarter 2016 and increased $109,000 versus second quarter 2015. Trust and wealth advisory revenues increased $100,000 versus first quarter 2016 and decreased $6,000 versus second quarter 2015. The second quarter increase is the result of an increase in assets under management and the annual tax preparation fees collected in second quarter 2016. Service charges and fees increased $55,000 versus first quarter 2016 and increased $7,000 versus second quarter 2015. The second quarter increase was a result of higher fees due to increased transactional volume, mainly attributable to interchange fees. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans increased $27,000 versus first quarter 2016 and decreased $29,000 versus second quarter 2015. The second quarter increase is mainly due to a higher volume of mortgages sold, while the year-over-year decrease is due to a lower volume of mortgages sold and a decrease in servicing values as a result of a decline in the discount rate. Second quarter 2016 mortgage loan sales totaled $2.5 million versus $1.8 million for first quarter 2016 and $3.0 million for second quarter 2015. Second quarter 2016, first quarter 2016, and second quarter 2015 included mortgage servicing amortization and periodic impairment charges (net) of $65,000, $71,000, and $72,000, respectively. Gain on sale of securities for the second quarter 2016, first quarter 2016, and second quarter 2015 totaled $146,000, $2,000, and $11,000, respectively.  Other income includes bank owned life insurance income and rental income.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for second quarter 2016 decreased $201,000 versus first quarter 2016 and increased $99,000 versus second quarter 2015. Total compensation expense decreased $65,000 versus first quarter 2016 mainly due to 401K and payroll taxes on the annual performance related compensation paid in March, partially offset by higher base salaries due to staffing and mix. The total compensation expense year-over-year increase of $188,000 is mainly attributable to increased staffing levels, market and merit adjustments.

Premises and equipment expense decreased $51,000 versus first quarter 2016 and decreased $69,000 versus second quarter 2015. The second quarter 2016 and the year-over-year decreases were mainly related to lower fuel, utility, and building repair costs.

Data processing increased $2,000 versus first quarter 2016 and $51,000 versus second quarter 2015. The increases were mainly due to expenses related to a terminated contract and imaging set-up fees. The first quarter 2016 included year-end processing and tax reporting.

Loan related expenses decreased $61,000 versus first quarter 2016 and $103,000 versus second quarter 2015. The second quarter decrease was mainly due to delinquent real estate taxes paid in first quarter 2016 on non-performing loans. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the write-down of OREO properties in second quarter 2015.

Professional fees increased $184,000 versus first quarter 2016, and decreased $29,000 versus second quarter 2015. Second quarter 2016 included third party imaging, Trust and wealth advisory client related tax preparation fees and increased loan review fees.

Other expense decreased $258,000 versus first quarter 2016 primarily as a result of decreased expenses related to sold loans serviced for others and increased $30,000 versus second quarter 2015.

The effective income tax rates for second quarter 2016, first quarter 2016 and second quarter 2015 were 27.79%, 25.86% and 29.96%, respectively.

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $20.7 million during second quarter 2016 to $749.5 million at June 30, 2016, increased $50.5 million compared with $699.0 million at December 31, 2015, and increased $71.8 million compared with $677.7 million at June 30, 2015.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets decreased $2.2 million during second quarter 2016 to $14.6 million, or 1.6% of assets at June 30, 2016, from $16.8 million, or 1.9% of assets at March 31, 2016, and decreased $0.4 million from $15.0 million, or 1.7% of assets, at June 30, 2015.

The amount of total impaired and potential problem loans decreased to $28.8 million (3.83% of gross loans receivable) during second quarter 2016, compared to $30.6 million, or 4.17% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016 and decreased $1.5 million from $30.3 million, or 4.44% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2015.

Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due decreased $4.4 million during second quarter 2016 to $3.6 million, or 0.5% of gross loans receivable, from $8.0 million, or 1.1% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016, and increased $0.7 million versus June 30, 2015.

Provision for loan loss expense was $525,000 for second quarter 2016 versus $463,000 for first quarter 2016, and $196,000 for second quarter 2015. Net loan charge-offs were $684,000 for the second quarter 2016, $302,000 for first quarter 2016 and $320,000 for the second quarter 2015. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.76% for the second quarter 2016, versus 0.80% for first quarter 2016 and 0.74% for second quarter 2015.

Salisbury endeavors to work constructively to resolve its non-performing loan issues with customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral.

Capital

Book value and tangible book value per common share increased $0.37 and $0.44, respectively, during second quarter 2016, to $33.57 and $28.28, respectively. Tangible book value excludes goodwill and core deposit intangibles.

Shareholders’ equity increased $1.2 million in second quarter 2016 to $92.6 million at June 30, 2016. Contributing to the increase in shareholders’ equity for second quarter 2016 was net income of $1.7 million, and a $0.1 million increase in common stock offset by common stock dividends paid of $0.8 million.

The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios remain in compliance with regulatory “well capitalized” requirements. At June 30, 2016, the Bank’s tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 9.58%, 12.70%, and 11.87%, respectively, compared with regulatory “well capitalized” minimums of 5.00%, 10.00%, and 6.5%, respectively. Risk based capital information for 2016 incorporates the implementation of Basel III.

At June 30, 2016, Salisbury’s tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 8.64%, 13.08%, and 10.86%, respectively.

Second Quarter 2016 Dividends on Common Shares

The Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a $0.28 per common share quarterly cash dividend at their July 29, 2016 meeting. The dividend will be paid on August 26, 2016 to shareholders of record as of August 12, 2016. 

Background

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, a Connecticut chartered commercial bank serving the communities of northwestern Connecticut and proximate communities in New York and Massachusetts, since 1848, through full service branches in Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut; Great Barrington, South Egremont and Sheffield, Massachusetts; and Dover Plains, Fishkill, Millerton, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, and Red Oaks Mill, New York. The Bank offers a broad spectrum of consumer and business banking products and services as well as trust and wealth advisory services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements relating to future results of Salisbury’s and the Bank’s future results that are considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management as well as the assumptions and estimates made by management using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including among others: changes in market interest rates and general and regional economic conditions; changes in laws and regulations; changes in accounting principles; and the quality or composition of the loan and investment portfolios, technological changes and cybersecurity matters, and other factors that may be described in Salisbury’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K, which are available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov) and to which reference is hereby made. Forward-looking statements made by Salisbury in this news release speak only as of the date they are made. Events or other facts that could cause Salisbury’s actual results to differ may arise from time to time and Salisbury cannot predict all such events and factors. Salisbury undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement unless as may be required by law.

 
Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share data)     June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
      December 31, 2015  
ASSETS                
Cash and due from banks   $ 10,961     $ 14,891  
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks     20,537       47,227  
Total cash and cash equivalents     31,498       62,118  
Securities                
Available-for-sale at fair value     80,438       76,694  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost     3,436       3,176  
Loans held-for-sale           763  
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $5,718 and $5,716)     749,523       699,018  
Bank premises and equipment, net     14,507       14,307  
Goodwill     12,552       12,552  
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $3,216 and $2,909)     2,031       2,338  
Accrued interest receivable     2,217       2,307  
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies     13,862       13,685  
Deferred taxes     1,998       1,989  
Other assets     1,432       2,245  
Total Assets   $ 913,494     $ 891,192  
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
Deposits                
Demand (non-interest bearing)   $ 189,182     $ 201,340  
Demand (interest bearing)     120,142       125,465  
Money market     197,869       183,783  
Savings and other     124,019       119,651  
Certificates of deposit     123,259       124,294  
Total deposits     754,471       754,533  
Repurchase agreements     3,355       3,914  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances     47,083       26,979  
Subordinated debt(1)     9,776       9,764  
Note payable     358       376  
Capital lease liability     420       422  
Accrued interest and other liabilities     5,447       4,630  
Total Liabilities     820,910       800,618  
Shareholders’ Equity                
Common stock – $.10 per share par value                
Authorized: 5,000,000;                
Issued: 2,758,186 and 2,733,576     276       273  
Unearned compensation – restricted stock awards     (483 )     (110 )
Paid-in capital     42,056       41,364  
Retained earnings     49,627       47,922  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net     1,108       1,125  
Total Shareholders’ Equity   $ 92,584       90,574  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   $ 913,494     $ 891,192  
                 

(1) Net of issuance costs, which are capitalized and amortized as a component of interest expense over a period of 10 years.

 
 
Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
             
Periods ended June,   Three months ended     Six months ended  
(in thousands, except per share amounts)     2016       2015       2016       2015  
Interest and dividend income                                
Interest and fees on loans   $ 7,930     $ 7,850     $ 15,855     $ 15,772  
Interest on debt securities                                
Taxable     286       298       579       624  
Tax exempt     237       357       523       747  
Other interest and dividends     60       40       134       73  
Total interest and dividend income     8,513       8,545       17,091       17,216  
Interest expense                                
Deposits     529       453       1,037       897  
Repurchase agreements     1       2       2       3  
Capital lease     17       17       35       35  
Note payable     6             11        
Subordinated debt     156             312        
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances     245       280       476       562  
Total interest expense     954       752       1,873       1,497  
Net interest and dividend income     7,559       7,793       15,218       15,719  
Provision (benefit) for loan losses     525       196       988       (4 )
Net interest and dividend income after provision (benefit) for loan losses     7,034       7,597       14,230       15,723  
Non-interest income                                
Trust and wealth advisory     884       890       1,668       1,712  
Service charges and fees     785       778       1,515       1,509  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net     57       87       96       181  
Mortgage servicing, net     21       20       33       (20 )
Gains on sales of available-for-sale securities, net     146       11       148       186  
Other     116       114       233       228  
Total non-interest income     2,009       1,900       3,693       3,796  
Non-interest expense                                
Salaries     2,687       2,449       5,261       4,989  
Employee benefits     910       960       1,998       1,965  
Premises and equipment     844       913       1,739       1,821  
Data processing     449       398       896       872  
Professional fees     564       593       944       1,243  
Collections, OREO and loan related     125       228       311       472  
FDIC insurance     176       133       310       331  
Marketing and community support     180       180       380       290  
Amortization of core deposit intangibles     152       164       307       333  
Other     552       522       1,334       1,059  
Total non-interest expense     6,639       6,540       13,480       13,375  
Income before income taxes     2,404       2,957       4,443       6,144  
Income tax provision     669       885       1,196       1,838  
Net income   $ 1,735     $ 2,072     $ 3,247     $ 4,306  
Net income available to common shareholders   $ 1,735     $ 2,032     $ 3,247     $ 4,226  
                                 
Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.63     $ 0.74     $ 1.18     $ 1.55  
Diluted earnings per common share     0.63       0.74       1.17       1.54  
Common dividends per share     0.28       0.28       0.56       0.56  

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)
                     
At or for the three month periods ended                    
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)     Q2 2016       Q1 2016       Q4 2015       Q3 2015       Q2 2015  
Total assets   $ 913,494     $ 891,804     $ 891,192     $ 904,233     $ 860,794  
Loans receivable, net     749,523       728,845       699,018       687,719       677,726  
Total securities     83,874       82,151       79,870       83,886       82,932  
Deposits     754,471       755,658       754,533       761,479       720,734  
FHLBB advances     47,083       27,031       26,979       26,928       28,033  
Shareholders’ equity     92,584       91,402       90,574       105,450       104,104  
Wealth assets under management     424,702       422,918       371,012       350,102       374,141  
Non-performing loans     14,579       16,829       16,264       16,435       14,728  
Non-performing assets     14,579       16,829       16,264       16,602       14,995  
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days     3,569       7,995       4,499       2,486       2,796  
Net interest and dividend income     7,559       7,659       7,928       7,897       7,793  
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent     7,873       7,985       8,235       8,195       8,084  
Provision (benefit) for loan losses     525       463       266       655       196  
Non-interest income     2,009       1,684       1,748       1,769       1,900  
Non-interest expense     6,639       6,840       6,343       6,202       6,540  
Income before income taxes     2,404       2,040       3,068       2,809       2,957  
Income tax provision     669       528       900       824       885  
Net income     1,735       1,512       2,167       1,985       2,072  
Net income available to common shareholders     1,735       1,512       2,129       1,945       2,032  
                                         
Per share data                                        
Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.63     $ 0.55     $ 0.78     $ 0.71     $ 0.74  
Diluted earnings per common share     0.63       0.55       0.77       0.71       0.74  
Dividends per common share     0.28       0.28       0.28       0.28       0.28  
Book value per common share     33.57       33.20       33.13       32.72       32.26  
Tangible book value per common share – Non-GAAP(1)     28.28       27.84       27.69       27.21       26.69  
                                         
Common shares outstanding at end of period     2,758       2,753       2,734       2,734       2,731  
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate basic earnings per share     2,735       2,723       2,710       2,708       2,706  
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate diluted earnings per share     2,749       2,741       2,727       2,724       2,724  
                                         
Profitability ratios                                        
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)     3.71 %     3.79 %     3.88 %     3.91 %     4.01 %
Efficiency ratio(2)     66.51       69.28       63.64       60.40       62.91  
Non-interest income to operating revenue     20.63       18.01       18.06       18.25       19.51  
Effective income tax rate     27.79       25.86       29.35       29.31       29.96  
Return on average assets     0.77       0.68       0.94       0.87       0.94  
Return on average common shareholders’ equity     7.58       6.68       9.34       8.64       9.26  
                                         
Credit quality ratios                                        
Net charge-offs to average loans receivable, gross     0.37 %     0.17 %     0.12 %     0.03 %     0.19 %
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross     1.93       2.29       2.31       2.37       2.16  
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross     0.47       1.09       0.64       0.36       0.41  
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross     0.76       0.80       0.81       0.82       0.74  
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans     39.22       34.92       35.15       34.43       34.35  
Non-performing assets to total assets     1.60       1.89       1.82       1.84       1.74  
                                         
Capital ratios                                        
Common shareholders’ equity to assets     10.14 %     10.25 %     10.16 %     9.89 %     10.24 %
Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible assets – Non-GAAP(1)     8.68       8.74       8.64       8.37       8.62  
Tier 1 leverage capital     8.64       8.57       8.56       10.31       10.42  
Total risk-based capital     13.08       12.92       13.51       13.90       14.22  
Common equity tier 1 capital     10.86       10.69       11.17       10.74       11.01  
                                         

(1) Refer to schedule labeled “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
(2) Calculated using SNL’s (publicly recognized resource of bank data) methodology, as follows: Noninterest expense before OREO expense, amortization of intangibles, and goodwill impairments as a percent of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and noninterest revenues, excluding gains from securities transactions and litigation expenses.

 
 
Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)
 
At or for the quarters ended                    
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)     Q2 2016       Q1 2016       Q4 2015       Q3 2015       Q2 2015  
Shareholders’ Equity   $ 92,584     $ 91,402     $ 90,574     $ 105,450     $ 104,104  
Less: Preferred Stock                       (16,000 )     (16,000 )
Common Shareholders’ Equity     92,584       91,402       90,574       89,450       88,104  
Less: Goodwill     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )
Less: Intangible assets     (2,031 )     (2,183 )     (2,338 )     (2,496 )     (2,657 )
Tangible Common Shareholders’ Equity   $ 78,001     $ 76,667     $ 75,684     $ 74,402     $ 72,895  
Total Assets   $ 913,494     $ 891,804     $ 891,192     $ 904,234     $ 860,794  
Less: Goodwill     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )     (12,552 )
Less: Intangible assets     (2,031 )     (2,183 )     (2,338 )     (2,496 )     (2,657 )
Tangible Total Assets   $ 898,911     $ 877,069     $ 876,302     $ 889,186     $ 845,585  
Common Shares outstanding     2,758       2,753       2,734       2,734       2,731  
                                         
Book value per Common Share – GAAP   $ 33.57     $ 33.20     $ 33.13     $ 32.72     $ 32.26  
Tangible book value per Common Share – Non-GAAP     28.28       27.84       27.69       27.21       26.69  
                                         
Common Shareholders’ Equity to Assets – GAAP     10.14 %     10.25 %     10.16 %     9.89 %     10.24 %
Tangible Common Shareholders’ Equity to Tangible Assets – Non-GAAP     8.68       8.74       8.64       8.37       8.62  
                                         
Non-interest expense   $ 6,639     $ 6,840     $ 6,343     $ 6,202     $ 6,571  
Less: Amortization of core deposit intangibles     (152 )     (155 )     (158 )     (161 )     (164 )
Less: Foreclosed property expense     (12 )     12       168       (27 )     (131 )
Less: Strategic initiatives                              
Operating expenses   $ 6,475     $ 6,697     $ 6,353     $ 6,014     $ 6,276  
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent   $ 7,873     $ 7,985     $ 8,235     $ 8,194     $ 8,084  
Non-interest income     2,009       1,684       1,748       1,769       1,900  
Gains on securities, net     (146 )     (2 )           (6 )     (11 )
Operating revenue   $ 9,736     $ 9,667     $ 9,983     $ 9,957     $ 9,973  
Efficiency Ratio less strategic initiatives     66.51 %     69.28 %     63.64 %     60.40 %     62.91 %

 

CONTACT: Salisbury Contact: 
Richard J. Cantele, Jr., 
President and Chief Executive Officer
860-435-9801 or 
[email protected]