Bay Bancorp, Inc. Announces Increase in 4th Quarte

COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bay Bancorp, Inc. (“Bay”) (NASDAQ: BYBK ), the savings and loan holding company for Bay Bank, FSB (“Bank”), announced today net income of $1.75 million or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.16 for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to net income of $1.93 million or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.17, for the year ended December 31, 2015.  For the fourth quarter of 2016, Bay reported net income of $0.74 million, or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.07 compared to net income of $0.37 million, or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.04 and $0.03, respectively, for the third quarter of 2016.  This was after $1.8 million in one-time merger integration expenses and a $1.0 million bargain purchase gain associated with the Bank’s merger with Hopkins Federal Savings Bank (“the Hopkins Merger”), and net income of $0.51 million, or basic and diluted income per common share of $0.05 for the fourth quarter of 2015.  Pre-tax earnings in the fourth quarter of 2016, were up 43% and 52% when compared to the prior quarter and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively.  With consistent organic growth, along with the Hopkins Merger, the Bank has total assets exceeded $620 million at December 31, 2016, supported by 11 branches in the Baltimore-Washington region, and is the fifth largest community bank headquartered in the Baltimore region based upon deposit market share.

Commenting on the announcement, Joseph J. Thomas, President and CEO, said, “We are very proud of our team’s accomplishments this year with over $100 million in new loan originations, successful completion of the Hopkins acquisitions, and leadership transition in numerous key banking, credit and operations roles.  The efforts of our team have translated into significantly higher earnings momentum in the fourth quarter of 2016 with pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, increasing 52% compared to the same period in 2015 before consideration of merger-related costs.  When combined with the Bank’s 2016 stock repurchases, the Return on Equity increased a full 60% over the same period in 2015.  We are well positioned with talent and technology to entrepreneurially serve our small business, private real estate and professional clients in the dynamic and robust Baltimore Washington Corridor and sustain and extend this higher level of earnings in 2017 to continue growing our tangible book value from its $6.30 per share level at year-end 2016.”

Highlights from 2016

The Bank resumed organic net growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 after third quarter completion of the Hopkins Merger.  Net loan growth, particularly after the Hopkins Merger, was favorable and targeted core deposit growth was strong.  Planned declines in certificate of deposit balances prior to and in anticipation of the Hopkins Merger led to an attractive 0.39% cost of funds for the fourth quarter of 2016.  Bay has a strong liquidity and capital position along with capacity for future growth with total regulatory capital to risk weighted assets estimated at 12.9% as of December 31, 2016.  The Bank has a record of success in acquisitions and acquired problem asset resolutions and, at December 31, 2016, had $8.2 million in remaining net purchase discounts on acquired loan portfolios.

Specific highlights are listed below:

• The return on average assets for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016 was 0.53% and 0.36%, respectively, as compared to 0.43% and 0.40%, respectively, for the same periods of 2015.  The return on average equity for the three months and year ended December 31, 2016 was 4.96% and 2.94%, respectively, as compared to 3.10% and 2.94%, respectively, for the same periods in 2015.   
• Total assets were $620 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $606 million at September 30, 2016 and $491 million at December 31, 2015.  
• Total loans were $487 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of 1.0% from $482 million at September 30, 2016, and an increase of 23.9% from $393 million at December 31, 2015.  
• Total deposits were $526 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of 0.9% from $531 million at September 30, 2016, and an increase of 43.3% from $366 million at December 31, 2015.  
• Net interest income for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016 totaled $5.9 million and $21.2 million, respectively, compared to $5.1 million and $21.4 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2015.  Interest income associated with discount accretion on purchased loans, deferred costs and deferred fees will vary due to the timing and nature of loan principal payments.  Earning asset leverage was the primary driver in year-over-year results, as average earning assets, primarily loans and investments, increased to $512 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $455 million for 2015.  
• Net interest margin for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016 was 4.05% and 4.14%, respectively, compared to 4.49% and 4.70%, respectively, for the same periods of 2015.  The margin decrease from 2015 reflects the variable pace of discount accretion recognition within interest income, the impact of fair value amortization on the interest expense of acquired deposits, and the higher level of investments, including interest bearing federal funds sold acquired in the Hopkins Merger.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the earning asset portfolio yield was influenced by a $1.1 million decline in net discount accretion of purchased loan discounts recognized in interest income when compared to 2015.  
• Nonperforming assets increased to $15.8 million at December 31, 2016 from $15.7 million at September 30, 2016, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.6%, and increased $5.5 million or 53.4%, from $10.3 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase compared to 2015 resulted primarily from the Hopkins Merger offset by continued resolution of acquired impaired loans.  All loans acquired in merger agreements include appropriate fair value adjustments.  
• The provision for loan losses for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016 was $0.37 million and $1.39 million, respectively, compared to $0.26 million and $1.14 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2015.  The increases for 2016 were primarily the result of growth in the Bank’s originated portfolio, combined with modest increases in qualitative factors used for calculating the required reserve.  As a result, the allowance for loan losses was $2.82 million at December 31, 2016, representing 0.58% of total loans, compared to $2.45 million or 0.51% of total loans at September 30, 2016, and $1.77 million, or 0.45% of total loans, at December 31, 2015.  The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2016 represents 1.05% of the Bank’s originated portfolio, with the remaining discount on acquired loans mitigating the need for additional loan loss reserves on these portfolios.  Management expects both the allowance for loan losses and the related provision for loan losses to increase in the future due to the gradual accretion of the discount on the acquired loan portfolios and an increase in new loan originations.

Recent Events

During the most recent quarter, the Bank made a $10 million additional investment in Bank Owned Life Insurance “BOLI”.  The BOLI investment, with favorable tax attributes, should positively add to 2017 non-interest income.  The Bank closed the Northern Parkway branch location in December 2016, incurring $0.08 million in closing related costs, which will reduce 2017 operating expenses.  The Bank sold the Joppa Road building that includes a branch location, reducing the Bank’s premises and equipment by nearly 25%.  The Bank has leased back this key branch space under an equitable agreement.  The gain on this sale lease-back transaction was deferred and will be recognized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the lease.

Balance Sheet Review              Total assets were $620 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of $129 million, or 26.3%, when compared to $491 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase was mainly the result of the Hopkins Merger and organic loan and other asset growth.  Investment securities increased by $26 million or 75.8%, for the year, while loans held for investment increased by $94 million or 23.9%, which was primarily driven by the $58 million of loans acquired in the Hopkins Merger.              Total deposits were $526 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of $159 million, or 43.3%, when compared to $367 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase was due to the deposits acquired as part of the Hopkins Merger and an increase in non-interest bearing deposits offset by a managed decline in certificates of deposits.  Following the Hopkins Merger, the Bank repaid $75 million of short-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Stockholders’ equity increased to $65.5 million at December 31, 2016, from $65.2 million at September 30, 2016, and decreased from $67.7 million at December 31, 2015.  The 2016 increase related to corporate earnings, which were offset by the $3.8 million decline related the 2016 repurchase of shares of Bay’s common stock.  The combined activity improved the book value of Bay’s common stock to $6.30 per share at December 31, 2016 compared to $6.29 per share at September 30, 2016 and $6.13 per share at December 31, 2015.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock purchase program, authorizing Bay to purchase 250,000 shares of its common stock over a 12-month period in open market and/or through privately negotiated transactions, at Bay’s discretion.  During the third quarter of 2016, Bay purchased 150,000 shares at an average price of $5.10 per share along with a purchase of 418,436 shares through a privately negotiated transaction at an average price of $5.18 per share.  No additional shares were purchased during the fourth quarter of 2016 as Bay has 254,508 shares remaining under the 2016 purchase authorization.  The Board may modify, suspend or discontinue the program at any time.

Nonperforming assets, which consist of nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, and real estate acquired through foreclosure, increased to $15.8 million at December 31, 2016 from $15.7 million at September 30, 2016 and $10.3 million at December 31, 2015.  The changes were driven by loans acquired in the Hopkins Merger offset by decreases in purchased credit impaired loans.  Nonperforming assets represented 2.55% of total assets at December 31, 2016, compared to 2.60% at September 30, 2016 and 2.10% at December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2016, the Bank remained above all “well-capitalized” regulatory requirement levels.  The Bank’s tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was estimated at 12.31% at December 31, 2016 as compared to 12.28% at September 30, 2016 and 16.14% at December 31, 2015.  Liquidity remained strong due to managed cash and cash equivalents, borrowing lines with the FHLB of Atlanta, the Federal Reserve and correspondent banks, and the size and composition of the investment portfolio.

Review of Financial Results

Net income for the three-months and year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.74 million and $1.75 million, respectively, compared to net income of $0.51 million and $1.93 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2015.  With the changes to net income for the year primarily the result of the $1.03 million Hopkins Merger bargain purchase gain, offset by $1.76 million in merger related expenses, changes were less comparable to prior periods. 

Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2016 totaled $5.9 million compared to $5.1 million for the same period of 2015.  Interest income resulting from interest-earning asset growth from the Hopkins Merger and legacy net loan growth was partially offset by a decrease in discount accretion on purchased loans, deferred costs and deferred fees.

Net interest income decreased to $21.2 million for year ended December 30, 2016, from $21.4 million for the same period of 2015.  The decrease was largely the result of a $1.1 million decline in net discount accretion on purchased loans recognized in interest income offset by the growth of earning assets both organically and from the Hopkins Merger. Excluding the impact of the net discount accretion on purchased loans, net interest income increased when compared to 2015.  The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased to 4.05%, from 4.70% for 2015, due to the decline in discount accretion on loans and deposits.  As of December 31, 2016, the remaining net loan discounts on the Bank’s loan portfolio totaled $8.6 million.

Noninterest income for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $2.9 million compared to $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $1.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015.  The decrease from the immediately prior quarter related to $1.0 million bargain purchase gain attributed to the Hopkins Merger and a $0.1 million decrease in mortgage banking fees.  The decline from the immediately prior quarter was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in electronic banking fees and a $0.19 million increase in gains from the sale of certain securities.  The increase from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily the result of $1.7 million in loan fees related to the reverse mortgage operation acquired in the Hopkins Merger, along with a $0.1 million increase in electronic banking fees, a $0.1 million increase in gains from the sale of securities.

Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 9.2 million compared to $5.4 million for 2015.  The increase related to the $1.0 million bargain purchase gain attributed to the Hopkins Merger along with $3.09 million of loan broker fees related to the reverse mortgage operation acquired in the Hopkins Merger.  The remainder of the change was primarily the result of $0.39 million increase in gains from the sale of securities, a $0.12 million increase in electronic banking fees, offset by a $0.88 million decrease in mortgage banking fees and gains.

Noninterest expense reduction was a key focus for 2016 net income improvement.  For the three months ended December 31, 2016, noninterest expense was $7.2 million compared to $8.4 million for the prior quarter and $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015.  The primary contributors to the decrease when compared to the third quarter of 2016 were $1.5 million decrease in merger related expenses, and a $0.04 million decrease in salary and employee benefit expense, offset by a $0.3 million increase in expenses related to the reverse mortgage operation and a $0.03 million increase in core deposit intangible expenses.  The primary contributors to the increase when compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 were $1.7 million of expenses related to the reverse mortgage operation, a $0.1 million increase in professional fees, a $0.1 increase in FDIC insurance costs and a $0.1 increase in other expenses, offset by $0.06 million decreases in both foreclosure related expenses and data processing costs.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, noninterest expense was $26.0 million compared to $22.6 million for 2015.  The primary contributors to the increase when compared to 2015 were $1.8 million in merger related expenses and $3.0 million of expenses related to the reverse mortgage brokerage operation.  Excluding the merger and reverse mortgage related expenses, noninterest expenses declined by $1.2 million or 5.5%.  The 2016 decreases, excluding reverse mortgage related expenses, included $0.37 million in salary and employee benefits, $0.18 million in occupancy expense, $0.27 million in professional fees, $0.24 million in loan collection costs, $0.06 million in core deposit intangible amortization and $0.16 million in data processing expenses.

Bay Bancorp, Inc. Information

Bay Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company and a savings and loan holding company headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.  Through Bay Bank, FSB, its federal savings bank subsidiary, Bay Bancorp, Inc. serves the community with a network of 11 branches strategically located throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Statistical Area, particularly Baltimore City and the Maryland counties of the Baltimore Washington corridor.  The Bank serves small and medium size businesses, professionals and other valued customers by offering a broad suite of financial products and services, including on-line and mobile banking, commercial banking, cash management, mortgage lending and retail banking.  The Bank funds a variety of loan types including commercial and residential real estate loans, commercial term loans and lines of credit, consumer loans and letters of credit.  Additional information is available at www.baybankmd.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company.  There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management.  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.  These projections involve risk 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 filed by Bay Bancorp, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled “Risk Factors”.

For investor inquiries contact: Joseph J. Thomas, President and CEO 410-536-7336 jthomas@baybankmd.com 7151 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite A Columbia, MD 21046 For further information contact: Larry D. Pickett, Chief Financial Officer lpickett@baybankmd.com 410-312-5415