Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Reports 2018 Se

ARCHBOLD, Ohio, July 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO ) today reported financial results for the 2018 second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2018.

2018 Second Quarter Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

• 61 consecutive quarters of profitability
• Total loans increased 5.1% to $831,015,000
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 11.7% to $9,878,000
• Net income increased 27.6% to $4,114,000
• Earnings per basic and diluted share increased 25.7% to $0.44
• Return on average assets was 1.48%, up from 1.21%
• Return on average equity was 12.08%, up from 9.96%

“Continued loan growth, stable asset quality, expansion in our net interest spread, and the benefits of tax reform continued to drive record profitability during the 2018 second quarter,” stated Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Net income increased 27.6% to a quarterly record $4,114,000, while return on average equity was up 212 basis points compared to the same period last year.  We are committed to returning our record results with our shareholders and recently increased our quarterly cash dividend by 7.7%, which represents the 19 ^th consecutive annual increase in our dividend payment.  In addition, we are investing in our business by expanding our geographic footprint through our branch growth plan and upgrading our branches to new modern layouts that better serve evolving customer preferences.  During the second quarter, we upgraded our Waterville branch and will complete the upgrade to our Perrysburg branch by the end of the third quarter.  Initial customer response to our new branch layout has been encouraging.”

Income Statement Net income for the 2018 second quarter ended June 30, 2018, was $4,114,000, or $0.44 per basic and diluted share compared to $3,223,000, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year, which was adjusted for a two-for-one stock split paid in September 2017. The 27.6% improvement in net income for the 2018 second quarter was primarily due to an 11.7% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, partially offset by a 7.6% increase in noninterest expense.  Net income for the 2018 first half was $7,881,000, or $0.85 per basic and diluted share compared to $6,062,000, or $0.66 per basic and diluted share for the first half of 2017. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Job Act, the Bank’s tax rate was lowered which benefitted earnings.

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality Total loans at June 30, 2018, increased 5.1% to $831,015,000, compared to $790,838,000 at June 30, 2017, and up 1.0% from $823,024,000 at December 31, 2017.  The year-over-year improvement resulted primarily from an 4.3% increase in commercial real estate loans, a 25.4% increase in agricultural loans, a 14.5% increase in consumer loans, and an 8.8% increase in agricultural real estate.

The company’s provision for loan losses for the 2018 second quarter was $132,000, compared to $25,000 for the 2017 second quarter. Year-to-date, the provision for loan losses was $172,000, compared to $98,000 for the same period last year.

F&M’s loan quality remains strong as the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 751.5% at June 30, 2018, compared to 502.2% at June 30, 2017.  Net charge-offs for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, were $143,000, or 0.02% of average loans, compared to $17,000 or 0.00% of average loans, at June 30, 2017. Year-to-date, net charge-offs were $251,000, or 0.03% of average loans outstanding, compared to $24,000, or 0.00% of average loans outstanding for the same period last year. 

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $133,091,000 at June 30, 2018, compared to $129,667,000 at December 31, 2017, and $126,582,000 at June 30, 2017.  On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at June 30, 2018, was $14.36, compared with $13.99 at December 31, 2017, and $13.70 at June 30, 2017. The increase in tangible stockholders’ equity is the result of growth in retained earnings due to increased profitability. At June 30, 2018, the company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 12.38%, compared to 11.96% at June 30, 2017. 

For the 2018 second quarter, the company declared cash dividends of $0.14 per share, which represents a dividend payout ratio of 31.2% compared to 35.5% for the same period last year.

Mr. Siebenmorgen concluded, “I am pleased with the 5.1% increase in total loans over the past 12 months as a result of growth throughout much of our loan portfolio.  Our pipeline of new loans remains strong and we continue to experience stable economic trends throughout our Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana communities.  Tariffs on soybeans have impacted crop pricing, which has caused some of our customers to delay equipment and land purchases, but agricultural customer financial statements remain strong and we have not experienced a material decline in asset quality.  Overall, I am encouraged by our financial and business outlook for the remainder of 2018 and expect 2018 will be another strong year for the company.” 

About Farmers & 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, www.sec.gov .