Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, today announced net income of $15.46 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.51 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $2.54 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.41. This compares with net income of $3.80 million and $12.48 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.62 and $2.04, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.
The return on average assets was 0.68% and 1.07% for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to 1.07% and 0.91% for the same periods in 2009. The return on average equity was 10.31% and 16.18% for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to 16.77% and 14.73% for the same periods in 2009. "We are very pleased to report record earnings for 2010. Our strong performance leaves us well positioned for 2011," commented Michael R. Tuttle, Merchants' President and Chief Executive Officer.
Merchants' earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 were negatively impacted by the prepayment of a total of $46.50 million in long term debt during the fourth quarter with a weighted average maturity of just over two years and a weighted average interest rate of 3.74%. Prepayment penalties incurred in conjunction with the payment totaled $3.07 million; Merchants expects to save $1.74 million in interest expense during 2011 as a result of the prepayment. At the same time, Merchants earnings for the fourth quarter were positively impacted by a negative provision for credit losses of $1.95 million, a result of improved asset quality combined with net recoveries during the fourth quarter of previously charged off loans totaling $2.08 million.
Merchants' taxable equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $12.22 million, and was $50.35 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to $12.83 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and $50.38 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Merchants' taxable equivalent net interest margin decreased 33 basis points during the fourth quarter of 2010 to 3.37% from 3.70% for the third quarter of 2010, and decreased by 38 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The margin decreased by fifteen basis points for 2010 to 3.65% from 3.80% for 2009. One of the most significant drivers of the decrease in margin during 2010 is reduced yield on the investment portfolio. Merchants' investment portfolio yield has come under pressure as a result of the pervasive low interest rate environment, decreasing 155 basis points to 3.24% during 2010. Over 80% of Merchants' investment portfolio is in mortgage related product which experienced very high prepayment rates during the fourth quarter of 2010, resulting in increased cash flow that was reinvested at current, lower rates. Merchants expects that the margin for 2011 will be positively impacted by the long term debt prepayment mentioned previously.
"Net interest income continues to experience significant pressure in the current environment. The low yields available for reinvestment of cash flows from the investment portfolio dictate that we need to increase the size of our loan book if we are to increase our net interest income. We have added resources to the lending area and have experienced increased demand during the fourth quarter of this year, which we expect to carry over to the first quarter of next year," commented Mr. Tuttle.
The provision for credit losses for 2010 was a negative $1.75 million compared to $4.10 million for 2009. The negative provision for 2010 was a result of net recoveries of previously charged off loans during 2010 totaling $802 thousand combined with improved asset quality during 2010. Merchants' non-performing loans decreased to $4.10 million at December 31, 2010 from $14.48 million at December 31, 2009.
"Asset quality remained very strong as of December 31, 2010. The improved quality for the entire loan portfolio was one of our major accomplishments during 2010," commented Mr. Tuttle.
Merchants' quarterly average loans were $905.05 million, a decrease of $15.80 million from the fourth quarter of 2009, and ending balances at December 31, 2010 were $910.79 million, $7.74 million lower than ending balances at December 31, 2009. Loan demand remained weak during most of 2010 with many borrowers choosing to pay down existing obligations instead of taking on additional debt in the uncertain economic environment.
The following table summarizes the components of Merchants' loan portfolio as of the periods indicated:
December 31, September 30, December 31,
(In thousands) 2010 2010 2009
------------- ------------- -------------
Commercial, financial and
agricultural loans $ 112,514 $ 100,638 $ 113,980
Municipal loans 72,261 71,822 44,753
Real estate loans - residential 422,981 428,260 435,273
Real estate loans - commercial 279,896 279,885 290,737
Real estate loans - construction 16,420 17,600 25,146
Installment loans 6,284 7,507 7,711
All other loans 438 1,194 938
------------- ------------- -------------
Total loans $ 910,794 $ 906,906 $ 918,538
============= ============= =============
Merchants' investment portfolio totaled $466.76 million at December 31, 2010, an increase of $57.95 million from the December 31, 2009 ending balance of $408.81 million. Merchants worked to redeploy excess cash into the investment portfolio during 2010, but found it challenging to find high quality investments at an acceptable yield in the low interest rate environment that existed throughout 2010. Merchants purchased bonds with a total par value of $354.23 million during 2010, all of which were agency backed paper. Merchants also selectively sold bonds during 2010, selling bonds with a total par value of $56.16 million for a net gain of $2.08 million.
Total deposits ended the year at $1.09 billion, an increase of $48.88 million from year end balances of $1.04 billion. Average balances for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $1.08 billion, an increase of $42.84 million from fourth quarter 2009 average balances of $1.04 billion. Demand deposits have shown solid growth during 2010, increasing by $21.67 million to $141.41 million at December 31, 2010 from $119.74 million at December 31, 2009. Deposits have continued to migrate away from time deposit categories during 2010. Time deposits as a percentage of total deposits have decreased from 37.8% at December 31, 2009 to 33.5% at December 31, 2010. Merchants experienced strong growth in government and business banking during 2010, while also adding relationships across all business lines. Short-term retail repo balances ended 2010 at $224.69 million, a $46.38 million increase over 2009 ending short-term retail repo balances.
Total noninterest income decreased to $2.54 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 from $3.38 million for the same period in 2009; and increased to $11.63 million for 2010 from $10.32 million for 2009. Excluding net gains (losses) on security sales and other than temporary impairment losses, noninterest income increased to $2.36 million and $9.72 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $2.22 million and $9.10 million for the same periods in 2009. Income from Merchants' Trust Company division increased to $573 thousand and $2.16 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $469 thousand and $1.72 million for the same periods in 2009, a result of a combination of increased sales and improved market performance. Revenue related to service charges on deposits decreased to $1.08 million and $4.93 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $1.45 million and $5.67 million for the same periods in 2009. These decreases are primarily a result of legislative changes restricting overdrafts that went into effect on August 15, 2010. Net overdraft fee revenue decreased to $858 thousand and $4.05 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to $1.22 million and $4.73 million for the same periods in 2009. At the same time other noninterest income increased to $1.12 million and $4.30 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, from $875 thousand and $3.75 million for the same periods in 2009. This increase is primarily a result of increased net debit card income. The recently enacted Dodd-Frank bill authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to regulate debit card interchange fees; although the changes are aimed at large banks, it is possible that all banks will be impacted. It is not possible to predict at this time what, if any, impact the changes will have on Merchants debit card revenue.
Total noninterest expense increased to $13.34 million from $10.42 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009; and increased to $42.43 million from $40.10 million for 2010 compared to 2009. There were a number of increases and decreases that contributed to this overall increase.
-- The largest increase for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010
was due to the $3.07 million prepayment penalty incurred as a result of
prepaying $46.50 million in long term debt mentioned previously. This
compares to prepayment penalties on long-term debt totaling $965
thousand and $1.55 million for the quarter and year ended
December 31, 2009.
-- Salaries and wages increased to $4.33 million and $16.03 million for
the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively,
compared to $4.21 million and $14.51 million for the same periods in
2009. Merchants added staff in its corporate banking and trust areas
during 2010. Additionally, Merchants' strong results for 2010 compared
to 2009 have led to a higher incentive accrual for 2010.
-- Merchants' FDIC insurance expense for 2010 was lower than 2009 as a
result of the $630 thousand special assessment recorded during the
second quarter of 2009.
-- Additionally, Merchants booked expense recoveries and gains during 2010
related to sales of OREO properties leading to a negative year to date
expense of $298 thousand compared to an expense of $142 thousand for
2009.
Merchants previously announced the declaration of a dividend of $0.28 per share, payable February 17, 2011, to shareholders of record as of February 3, 2011. Merchants also previously announced the extension, through January 2012, of its stock buyback program, originally adopted in January 2007. Under the program Merchants may repurchase 200,000 shares of its common stock on the open market from time to time, and has purchased 143,475 shares since the program's adoption in 2007. Although Merchants did not repurchase any of its shares during 2010, and does not expect to repurchase shares in the near future, Merchants wanted to preserve the flexibility of an active buyback program.
Michael R. Tuttle, Merchants' President and Chief Executive Officer, Janet P. Spitler, Merchants' Chief Financial Officer and Geoffrey R. Hesslink, Executive Vice President and Senior Lender will host a conference call to discuss these earnings results at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 28, 2011. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (800) 553-0327; the title of the call is Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Earnings Call. Participants are asked to call a few minutes prior to register. A replay will be available until noon on Friday, February 4, 2011. The U.S. replay dial-in telephone number is (800) 475-6701. The international replay telephone number is (320) 365-3844. The replay access code for both replay telephone numbers is 188055.
Vermont Matters. Merchants Bank strives to fulfill its role as the state's leading independent community bank through a wide range of initiatives. The bank supports organizations throughout Vermont in addressing essential needs, sustaining community programs, providing small business and job start capital, funding financial literacy education and delivering enrichment through local sports activities.
Merchants Bank was established in 1849 in Burlington, Vermont. Its continuing mission is to provide Vermonters with a statewide community bank that combines a strong technology platform with a genuine appreciation for local markets. Merchants Bank delivers this commitment through a branch-based system that includes: 34 community bank offices and 42 ATMs throughout Vermont; local branch presidents and personal bankers dedicated to high-quality customer service; free online banking, phone banking, and electronic bill payment services; high-value depositing programs that feature Free Checking for Life®, Cash Rewards Checking, Rewards Checking for Business, business cash management, money market accounts, health savings accounts, certificates of deposit, Flexible CD, IRAs, and overdraft assurance; feature-rich loan programs including mortgages, home equity credit, vehicle loans, personal and small business loans and lines of credit; and merchant card processing. Merchants Bank offers a strong set of commercial and government banking solutions, delivered by experienced banking officers in markets throughout the state; these teams provide customized financing for medium-to-large companies, non-profits, cities, towns, and school districts. Merchants Trust Company, a division of Merchants Bank, provides investment management, financial planning and trustee services. Please visit www.mbvt.com for access to Merchants Bank information, programs, and services. Merchants' stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MBVT. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe Merchants' future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "plan," "potential," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect," "target" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of management and are only expectations of future results. Merchants' actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, general, national, regional or local economic conditions which are less favorable than anticipated, including continued global recession, impacting the performance of Merchants' investment portfolio, quality of credits or the overall demand for services; changes in loan default and charge-off rates which could affect the allowance for credit losses; declines in the equity and financial markets; reductions in deposit levels which could necessitate increased and/or higher cost borrowing to fund loans and investments; declines in mortgage loan refinancing, equity loan and line of credit activity which could reduce net interest and non-interest income; changes in the domestic interest rate environment and inflation; changes in the carrying value of investment securities and other assets; misalignment of Merchants' interest-bearing assets and liabilities; increases in loan repayment rates affecting interest income and the value of mortgage servicing rights; changing business, banking, or regulatory conditions or policies, or new legislation affecting the financial services industry, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, that could lead to changes in the competitive balance among financial institutions, restrictions on bank activities, changes in costs (including deposit insurance premiums), increased regulatory scrutiny, declines in consumer confidence in depository institutions, or changes in the secondary market for bank loan and other products; and changes in accounting rules, federal and state laws, IRS regulations, and other regulations and policies governing financial holding companies and their subsidiaries which may impact Merchants' ability to take appropriate action to protect Merchants' financial interests in certain loan situations.
You should not place undue reliance on Merchants' forward-looking statements, and are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results of operations may differ materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties, which are included in more detail in Merchants' Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Merchants does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
12/31/10 09/30/10 12/31/09 09/30/09
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance Sheets - Period End
Total assets $1,487,644 $1,481,908 $1,434,861 $1,405,607
Loans 910,794 906,906 918,538 929,236
Allowance for loan losses
("ALL") 10,135 10,090 10,976 11,177
Net loans 900,659 896,816 907,562 918,059
Securities available for
sale 465,962 502,467 407,652 353,842
Securities held to maturity 794 865 1,159 1,306
Federal Home Loan Bank
("FHLB") stock 8,630 8,630 8,630 8,630
Interest earning cash and
other short-term
investments 62,273 7,239 47,714 70,282
Other assets 49,326 65,891 62,144 53,488
Deposits 1,092,196 1,072,649 1,043,319 1,030,802
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase
and other short-term debt 227,657 175,133 179,718 122,421
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase,
long-term 7,500 54,000 54,000 54,000
Other long-term debt 31,139 31,158 31,215 68,698
Junior subordinated
debentures issued to
unconsolidated
subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 9,202 29,236 15,365 19,069
Shareholders' equity 99,331 99,113 90,625 89,998
Balance Sheets -
Quarter-to-Date Averages
Total assets $1,488,753 $1,436,703 $1,412,513 $1,394,070
Loans 905,048 917,682 920,846 922,704
Allowance for loan losses 10,676 10,461 11,510 10,958
Net loans 894,372 907,221 909,336 911,746
Securities available for
sale and FHLB stock 482,846 424,116 371,059 367,979
Securities held to maturity 830 920 1,224 1,374
Interest earning cash and
other short-term
investments 48,217 29,933 63,553 53,576
Other assets 62,488 74,513 67,341 59,395
Deposits 1,080,790 1,059,591 1,037,955 1,026,527
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase
and other short-term debt 205,529 160,738 148,282 115,447
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase,
long-term 38,353 54,000 54,000 54,000
Other long-term debt 31,145 31,165 46,097 79,107
Junior subordinated
debentures issued to
unconsolidated
subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 13,621 13,061 14,999 13,209
Shareholders' equity 98,696 97,529 90,561 85,161
Interest earning assets 1,436,942 1,372,651 1,356,682 1,345,633
Interest bearing
liabilities 1,233,261 1,190,679 1,180,087 1,179,117
Ratios and Supplemental
Information - Period End
Book value per share $ 16.95 $ 16.93 $ 15.58 $ 15.49
Book value per share (1) $ 16.06 $ 16.05 $ 14.76 $ 14.68
Tier I leverage ratio 7.90% 8.11% 7.64% 7.57%
Tangible capital ratio (2) 6.68% 6.69% 6.32% 6.40%
Period end common shares
outstanding (1) 6,186,363 6,174,524 6,141,823 6,131,175
Credit Quality - Period End
Nonperforming loans
("NPLs") $ 4,104 $ 3,437 $ 14,481 $ 10,584
Nonperforming assets
("NPAs") $ 4,295 $ 3,457 $ 15,136 $ 11,386
NPLs as a percent of total
loans 0.45% 0.38% 1.58% 1.14%
NPAs as a percent of total
assets 0.29% 0.23% 1.05% 0.81%
ALL as a percent of NPLs 247% 294% 76% 106%
ALL as a percent of total
loans 1.11% 1.11% 1.19% 1.20%
(1) This book value and period end common shares outstanding includes
327,100; 321,776; 326,453; and 320,371 Rabbi Trust shares for the
periods noted above, respectively.
(2) The tangible capital ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which we
believe provides investors with information that is useful in
understanding our financial performance.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
For the Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2010 2009
----------- -----------
Balance Sheets -
Year-to-Date Averages
Total assets $ 1,438,730 $ 1,376,054
Loans 912,363 901,582
Allowance for loan losses 10,609 10,430
Net loans 901,754 891,152
Securities available for
sale and FHLB stock 436,094 386,772
Securities held to maturity 964 1,443
Interest earning cash and
other short-term
investments 30,054 36,529
Other assets 69,864 60,158
Deposits 1,053,503 1,003,778
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase
and other short-term debt 174,895 115,395
Securities sold under
agreement to repurchase,
long-term 50,056 54,000
Other long-term debt 31,179 83,676
Junior subordinated
debentures issued to
unconsolidated
subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 12,898 13,880
Shareholders' equity 95,580 84,706
Interest earning assets 1,379,475 1,326,326
Interest bearing
liabilities 1,200,305 1,162,402
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
For the Three Months For the Twelve Months
Ended ended
December 31, December 31,
---------------------- ----------------------
2010 2009 2010 2009
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Results
Interest income
Interest and fees on loans $ 11,366 $ 11,855 $ 46,041 $ 47,646
Interest and dividends on
investments 3,038 4,158 14,221 18,694
Total interest and dividend
income 14,404 16,013 60,262 66,340
Interest expense
Deposits 1,276 1,854 5,614 9,605
Short-term borrowings 459 308 1,623 641
Long-term debt 850 1,147 3,870 5,978
Total interest expense 2,585 3,309 11,107 16,224
Net interest income 11,819 12,704 49,155 50,116
(Credit) provision for
credit losses (1,950) 600 (1,750) 4,100
Net interest income after
provision for credit
losses 13,769 12,104 50,905 46,016
Noninterest income
Trust Company income 573 469 2,163 1,724
Service charges on deposits 1,076 1,454 4,929 5,671
Gain (loss) on investment
securities, net 185 1,163 2,082 1,219
Other-than-temporary
impairment losses on
securities -- -- (169) --
Equity in losses of real
estate limited
partnerships, net (409) (583) (1,672) (2,049)
Other noninterest income 1,116 875 4,298 3,750
Total noninterest income 2,541 3,378 11,631 10,315
Noninterest expense
Salaries and wages 4,329 4,210 16,033 14,510
Employee benefits 1,046 663 4,466 4,348
Occupancy and equipment
expenses 1,743 1,616 6,635 6,405
Legal and professional fees 592 600 2,443 2,499
Marketing expenses 492 328 1,505 1,470
State franchise taxes 279 276 1,151 1,142
FDIC Insurance 350 315 1,415 1,964
Other real estate owned 1 (23) (298) 142
Prepayment penalty 3,071 965 3,071 1,548
Other noninterest expense 1,434 1,468 6,006 6,070
Total noninterest expense 13,337 10,418 42,427 40,098
Income before provision for
income taxes 2,973 5,064 20,109 16,233
Provision for income taxes 429 1,268 4,648 3,754
Net income $ 2,544 $ 3,796 $ 15,461 $ 12,479
Ratios and Supplemental
Information
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 6,183,555 6,139,739 6,167,446 6,105,909
Weighted average diluted
shares outstanding 6,195,432 6,139,739 6,171,530 6,107,389
Basic earnings per common
share $ 0.41 $ 0.62 $ 2.51 $ 2.04
Diluted earnings per common
share $ 0.41 $ 0.62 $ 2.51 $ 2.04
Return on average assets 0.68% 1.07% 1.07% 0.91%
Return on average
shareholders' equity 10.31% 16.77% 16.18% 14.73%
Net interest rate spread 3.26% 3.61% 3.53% 3.62%
Net interest margin 3.37% 3.75% 3.65% 3.80%
Net recoveries
(charge-offs) to Average
Loans 0.23% (0.09%) 0.09% (0.19%)
Net recoveries
(charge-offs) $ 2,084 $ (824) $ 802 $ (1,708)
Efficiency ratio (1) 66.66% 58.81% 62.16% 59.47%
(1) The efficiency ratio excludes amortization of intangibles, equity in
losses of real estate limited partnerships, OREO expenses, gain/loss on
sales of securities, state franchise taxes, and any significant
nonrecurring items.
Note: As of December 31, 2010, the Bank had off-balance sheet liabilities
in the form of standby letters of credit to customers in the amount of
$4.91 million.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT--(Marketwire - January 26, 2011) -