Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter

LAKEVILLE, Conn., Feb. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (“Salisbury”) (NASDAQ: SAL ), the holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

Net income available to common shareholders was $1.5 million, or $0.55 per common share, for Salisbury’s fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016 (fourth quarter 2016), compared with $1.9 million, or $0.70 per common share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 (third quarter 2016), and $2.1 million, or $0.78 per common share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015 (fourth quarter 2015).

Selected fiscal year 2016 highlights

• Total assets increased $44 million, or 5.1%, as compared with year end December 2015.
• Net loans increased $64 million, or 9%, as compared to year end December 2015.
• Total deposits increased $27 million, or 3.7% as compared with year end December 2015.
• Non-performing loans as a percentage of gross loans receivable decreased year over year from 2.31% to 1.16%.
• Book value per share of $34.07 increased $0.94, or 3% as compared with year end December 2015.
• Tangible book value per share of $28.89 increased $1.20, or 4% as compared with year end December 2015.

Selected fourth quarter 2016 highlights

• Net loans grew $9 million during the quarter.
• Assets under management in our Trust and Wealth Advisory area grew $7 million.
• Non-Performing loans decreased $2.9 million.

Salisbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., stated, “Our results for 2016 reflect modest growth in book value and tangible book value for shareholders as well as growth in loans and total assets.  We were able to fund such growth through a strategy of building core deposits along with the prudent use of low cost borrowing.  During the fourth calendar quarter of 2016, we completed a system-wide data processing conversion.  This investment in our future should help us to continue to securely and efficiently deliver our expanding array of products and services to both current and future customers.  As we enter 2017, we remain focused on continued opportunities for prudent and profitable growth both organically and through appropriate acquisition opportunities.  In this regard, as previously announced on January 12, 2017, we signed an agreement to purchase, subject to regulatory approval, the New Paltz, New York branch of Empire State Bank and assume approximately $31 million in deposits and purchase approximately $6.8 million in branch-related loans.  We are committed to building value for our shareholders and serving our growing base of customers in our Tri-State market area.”

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter 2016 decreased $15 thousand, or 0.19%, versus third quarter 2016, and decreased $275 thousand or 3.34%, versus fourth quarter 2015. Average earning assets decreased $16.8 million versus third quarter 2016, and increased $28.8 million versus fourth quarter 2015. Average total interest bearing deposits decreased $22.8 million versus third quarter 2016 and increased $20.0 million versus fourth quarter 2015. The net interest margin of 3.45% decreased 12 basis points versus 3.57% for the third quarter 2016 and decreased 43 basis points versus 3.88% for the fourth quarter 2015.

Interest income for the fourth quarter 2016 reflects net accretion related to the fair value adjustments of loans acquired in the Riverside Bank acquisition in the amount of $435 thousand. The third quarter 2016 and fourth quarter 2015 included similar adjustments of $440 thousand and $691 thousand, respectively.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for fourth quarter 2016 increased $437 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and increased $584 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015.  Trust and Wealth Advisory revenues decreased $28 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and increased $66 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. The quarter-over-quarter net revenue decrease resulted from lower asset based fees collected as compared to the prior quarter due to timing on lost business and fees collected on new business, while the same revenue came in higher year over year representing a net growth in asset based fees for the year. Service charges and fees increased $34 thousand versus third quarter 2016, and increased $112 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. The fourth quarter’s increase was primarily due to increased deposit and commercial lending related fees offset by declines in Interchange fees and safe deposit fees.  Income from mortgage sales and servicing increased $19 thousand and $38 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and fourth quarter 2015, respectively, primarily due to the increases in loans sold.   Fourth quarter 2016, third quarter 2016, and fourth quarter 2015 included mortgage servicing amortization and periodic impairment charges (net) of $65 thousand, $59 thousand, and $76 thousand, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for fourth quarter 2016 increased $912 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and increased $1,068 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. The increase includes OREO related expenses which are discussed below and approximately $225 thousand related to technology enhancements which were implemented during the fourth quarter.  Salaries and benefits increased $196 thousand versus third quarter 2016, and increased $248 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. The quarter over quarter increase reflects compensation of approximately $65 thousand related to the fourth quarter technology enhancements including the core system conversion. The year-over-year increase primarily reflects higher base salaries, overtime and production compensation, and related benefits, offset by lower incentive based expense.

Premises and equipment costs increased $20 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and decreased $29 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015.  The increase is due to seasonally higher utility expense and timing differences related to machine maintenance and repair. Data processing expenses which include data processing and data communications related expenses increased $265 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and increased $336 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. Fourth quarter data processing expenses reflect approximately $90 thousand of technology enhancement related expenses. Data communications expense also increased in the fourth quarter 2016 primarily as a result of upgrading data communication capabilities to support new technologies. Compared to the prior quarter and fourth quarter 2015, fourth quarter 2016 data communications expense increased $95 thousand and $101 thousand, respectively.

OREO and loan related expenses increased $470 thousand versus the third quarter 2016 and $606 thousand as compared to the fourth quarter 2015. The increase is mainly attributable to OREO related activity and reflects a net expense of $435 thousand as a result of a valuation adjustment which was partially offset with gain on sale.  Additionally, the fourth quarter versus the third quarter 2016 increase was mainly due to higher appraisal, legal and collections and increased OREO carrying costs.  These increases were partially offset by a quarter over quarter reduction in delinquent real estate tax expense.  The year-over-year increase in loan related expenses was mainly due to higher litigation and OREO related expenses partially offset by lower delinquent real estate tax expense.

Professional fees increased $71 thousand versus third quarter 2016 and increased $22 thousand versus fourth quarter 2015. The quarter over quarter increase was mainly attributed to increased internal audit, consulting and investment management fees offset by a reduction in legal expense.

The effective income tax rates for fourth quarter 2016, third quarter 2016 and fourth quarter 2015 were 27.62%, 29.71% and 29.35%, respectively.

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $9 million during fourth quarter 2016 to $763 million at December 31, 2016, compared with $754 million at September 30, 2016, and increased $64 million, or 9%, for the full year 2016, compared with $699 million at December 31, 2015.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets decreased $1.9 million during the fourth quarter 2016 to $12.6 million, or 1.33% of assets at December 31, 2016, from $14.5 million, or 1.56% of assets at September 30, 2016, and decreased $3.7 million from $16.3 million, or 1.8% of assets, at December 31, 2015. The decrease in non-performing assets reflects a $2.9 million decline in non-performing loans during the fourth quarter of 2016; however, the decrease in non-performing loans was offset by OREO activity which resulted in a net increase of $950 thousand.

On a combined basis, the five largest non-performing loan relationships, inclusive of OREO holdings, account for 52% of the non-performing assets while the combined ten largest loan relationships account for 73% of total non-performing assets. Accordingly, asset quality issues are confined to a small number of relationships and management does not consider them to be systemic.  All of the ten largest non-performing relationships are secured by real estate and six of these are actively moving through the legal process. 

The amount of total impaired and potential problem loans decreased to $23.6 million (3.07% of gross loans receivable) during the fourth quarter 2016, compared to $26.1 million, or 3.43% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2016 and decreased $3.4 million from $27.0 million, or 3.85% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015.

Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due decreased $1.4 million during fourth quarter 2016 to $4.5 million, or 0.59% of gross loans receivable, from $5.9 million, or 0.8% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2016, and were unchanged as compared to the  $4.5 million at December 31, 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.

Provision for loan loss expense was $503 thousand for fourth quarter 2016 versus $344 thousand for third quarter 2016, and $266 thousand for the fourth quarter 2015. The fourth quarter 2016 provision increase was partially attributable to credit deterioration in two loans with a total credit exposure of approximately $1 million. Net loan charge-offs were $263 thousand for the fourth quarter 2016, $171 thousand for third quarter 2016 and $209 thousand for the fourth quarter 2015. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.79% for the fourth quarter 2016, versus 0.78% for the third quarter 2016 and 0.81% for the fourth quarter 2015.

Capital

Book value and tangible book value per common share increased $0.15 and $0.26, respectively, during the fourth quarter 2016, to $34.07 and $28.89, respectively. Tangible book value excludes goodwill and core deposit intangibles.

Shareholders’ equity increased $0.4 million during the fourth quarter 2016 to $94.0 million at December 31, 2016. Contributing to the increase in shareholders’ equity for fourth quarter 2016 was net income of $1.6 million offset by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $0.4 million, and common stock dividends paid of $0.8 million.

The regulatory capital ratios of the Company and the Bank remain in compliance with regulatory “well capitalized” requirements. At December 31, 2016, Salisbury’s tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 8.73%, 13.10%, and 10.89%, respectively. The Bank’s tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 9.55%, 12.77%, and 11.92%, 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.

During fourth quarter 2015, the Company completed an offering of $10 million of unsecured 6.00% fixed-to–floating rate subordinated notes due in 2025. The notes qualify as Tier II capital and are included as such within the Company's total risk-based capital ratio.

The net proceeds of the offering, along with cash on hand, were used during the fourth quarter 2015 to redeem the $16 million of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock issued in conjunction with the Company’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s SBLF program.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Dividends on Common Shares

The Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a $0.28 per common share quarterly cash dividend at their January 27, 2017 meeting. The dividend will be paid on February 24, 2017 to shareholders of record as of February 10, 2017.

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 (unaudited)

⁽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)

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

⁽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)

Salisbury Contact: Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer 860-435-9801 or rcantele@salisburybank.com