Merchants Bancshares 2013 results highlighted by 9 percent growth in average loans

Merchants Bancshares, Inc (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, announced Tuesday net income of $3.82 million and $15.13 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.60 and $2.40, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively. This compares to net income of $3.84 million and $15.19 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.61 and $2.42, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively.
The return on average assets was 0.91% and 0.90% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to 0.91% and 0.92% for the same periods in 2012. The return on average equity was 13.07% and 12.97% for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to 13.08% and 13.37% for the same periods in 2012. We previously announced the declaration of a dividend of $0.28 per share, payable February 20, 2014, to shareholders of record as of February 6, 2014.
Shareholders' equity ended the year at $119.61 million, and our book value per share was $18.93 at December 31, 2013. Our capital ratios remain strong at December 31, 2013, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.44%, compared to 8.08% at December 31, 2012, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 16.12%, compared to 16.00% at December 31, 2012.
"We are very pleased to report another strong year for our company. The loan growth we experienced during the first three quarters of 2013 allowed us to shrink our investment portfolio and reduce our exposure to price volatility associated with fixed rate bonds. Although the margin continued to decline, the rate of compression slowed as the yield curve steepened. We were able to reduce costs enough to offset the decline in net interest income," commented Michael R. Tuttle, our President and CEO.
We realized a one time gain of $898 thousand during the fourth quarter in conjunction with the sale of one of our locations. The total gain on the sale was $1.83 million; the balance of the gain of $934 thousand will be deferred and amortized over 10 years as we are leasing back a portion of the sold property. We also took an impairment charge totaling $166 thousand related to our $38 million portfolio of collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") portfolio. Under the recently finalized Volcker rule, we may be required to divest of some of our CLOs by July of 2015. During January of 2014 we sold $15.74 million of our CLOs for a modest gain.
Quarterly average loan balances for the fourth quarter were $1.17 billion, an increase of $96 million over average loan balances for the fourth quarter of 2012; this represents an average annualized growth rate of 9%.
The following table summarizes the components of our ending loan portfolio balances as of the periods indicated:

December 31, September 30, December 31,
(In thousands) 2013 2013 2012
------------- -------------- --------------
Commercial, financial and
agricultural $ 172,810 $ 163,138 $ 165,023
Municipal loans 94,007 96,491 84,689
Real estate loans - residential 489,706 493,667 460,395
Real estate loans - commercial 371,319 373,085 357,178
Real estate loans - construction 31,841 32,768 10,561
Installment loans 5,655 5,898 4,701
All other loans 895 454 376
------------- -------------- --------------
Total loans $ 1,166,233 $ 1,165,501 $ 1,082,923
------------- -------------- --------------
Year to date growth in our commercial loan portfolio has been primarily driven by new customer acquisition and expansion of existing relationships. Higher long-term interest rates have led to a reduction in refinancing applications in our residential loan portfolio resulting in lower outstanding balances. Heightened competition in the commercial real estate space resulted in a reduction in that segment of our portfolio during the quarter.
The average investment portfolio balance for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $402.99 million, a reduction of $107.57 million from the fourth quarter of 2012. The ending balance in the investment portfolio at December 31, 2013 was $393.34 million, compared to $509.09 million at December 31, 2012. We intentionally allowed the investment portfolio to run off during the year and deployed the cash to fund our loan growth. This allowed us to control overall asset growth and strengthen our capital ratios and returns.
Very strong credit quality combined with low loan growth during the fourth quarter resulted in a zero provision for credit losses during the fourth quarter of 2013. Year to date our provision for credit losses totaled $800 thousand, compared to $250 thousand and $950 thousand for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. Our overall loan growth during 2013 was the primary factor for the provision in 2013. Credit quality improved further during the quarter with non-performing loans at $906 thousand, or 0.08% of total loans at the end of 2013.
Total deposits at December 31, 2013 were $1.32 billion compared to December 31, 2012 balances of $1.27 billion. Total average deposits for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $1.32 billion, a $75.27 million increase over average balances for the fourth quarter of 2012. This represents a 6.03% annualized growth rate. Growth during 2013 has been concentrated in our transaction account categories, with continued reductions in time deposit balances. Securities sold under agreement to repurchase, which represent collateralized customer accounts, increased $70.82 million to $250.31 million at December 31, 2013 from $179.49 million at September 30, 2013, and decreased $37.21 million from $287.52 million at December 31, 2012. The quarter-over-quarter increase was a result of seasonal municipal cash flows, while the decrease compared to 2012 year end resulted from migration to deposit products.
Our taxable equivalent net interest income was $12.74 million and $50.96 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to $13.02 million and $51.99 million for the same periods in 2012. Our taxable equivalent net interest margin decreased four basis points to 3.10% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 3.14% for the third quarter of 2013. Quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, our taxable equivalent net interest margin decreased 10 basis points and 13 basis points, respectively. The margin compression during the fourth quarter of 2013 was due primarily to temporarily high cash balances, driven by a combination of seasonal municipal cash flows, flat linked quarter loan balances and a smaller securities portfolio. Most of the margin compression during 2013 was concentrated in our average asset yields, which decreased 25 basis points during 2013. Average loans yields decreased 38 basis points and average investment yields decreased 14 basi s points. One of the factors influencing our loan yields was an increase in variable rate loans. Average variable rate loans for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $315.58 million, an increase of $53.63 million from the fourth quarter of 2012. These loans have a lower current yield than fixed rate loans, but will have higher yields when rates start to rise.
Total noninterest income increased $736 thousand to $3.52 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013 and decreased $983 thousand to $11.63 million for 2013 compared to 2012. Excluding net gains on investment securities, other than temporary impairment charges, and gains on sales of other assets, total noninterest income increased $19 thousand to $2.80 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of this year, and decreased $9 thousand to $11.01 million for 2013 compared to 2012. Increases in cash management fees and other service charge income offset continued reductions in overdraft fees during 2013. Trust division income increased $377 thousand for 2013 compared to 2012. Other noninterest income decreased $318 thousand to $1.09 million for 2013 compared to 2012; $168 thousand of this reduction was a result of the discontinuation of our credit card affinity program at the end of 2012.
Total noninterest expense increased $1.04 million to $10.94 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013 and decreased $1.85 million to $40.62 million for 2013 compared to 2012. Excluding a $1.36 million prepayment penalty incurred during 2012, noninterest expense decreased $485 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012.

Total compensation and benefits increased $352 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013 and decreased $417 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012. There are a number of reasons for these changes. Strong growth and performance ahead of plan triggered an addition to our incentive accrual of $120 thousand during the fourth quarter of 2013. Additionally, a number of vacant positions were filled during the quarter. We experienced higher than usual claim volume in our self funded group health insurance plan during the fourth quarter of this year leading to an additional expense of $140 thousand. The decrease for 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily a result of reduced employee benefit costs as normal salary increases for 2013 were offset by reduced incentive expense. Expenses related to our group health insurance plan were $146 thousand lower for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012. Additionally, the over funded status of our pension plan produced $162 thousand in income for us in 2013 compared to an expense of $252 thousand in 2012.
Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $294 thousand to $2.20 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of this year, and increased $605 thousand for year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012. This increase was a result of additional investments we made in our facilities and in technology to increase efficiency and improve customer service. Additionally, we will be changing our core system provider during 2014 and have accelerated the write off of certain assets during the fourth quarter related to the current core system.
The timing of certain events and donations resulted in a $205 thousand increase in marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013. Year to date marketing expenses are $85 thousand lower than 2012.
The timing of investments in low income housing partnerships and their associated tax credits led to a reduction in expenses related to real estate limited partnerships to $1.08 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $1.52 million for 2012.

Our effective tax rate for 2013 was negatively impacted by the timing of investments in low income housing partnerships discussed above, which produced a lower level of tax credits for us in 2013 compared to 2012. This was offset by the positive impact on our tax rate of the donation of our branch building in North Bennington, Vermont, to a non-profit organization during the second quarter of 2013. Our effective tax rate for both 2012 and 2013 was 21%.
Michael R. Tuttle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Janet P Spitler, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Geoffrey R. Hesslink, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Lender, will host a conference call to discuss these earnings results, business highlights and outlook at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing U.S. number (888) 317-6016, Canada number (855) 669-9657, or international number (412) 317-6016. The title of the call is Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Q4 2013 Earnings Call. Participants are asked to call a few minutes prior to register. A replay will be available until 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 6, 2014. The U.S. replay dial-in telephone number is (877) 344-7529. The international replay telephone number is (412) 317-0088. The replay access code for both replay telephone numbers is 10036734. Additionally, a webcast of the call will be available on our website at www.mbvt.com shortly after the conclusion of the call.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
December 31, September 30, December 31, September 30,
------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
2013 2013 2012 2012
------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Balance Sheets -
Period End
Total assets $ 1,725,469 $ 1,667,130 $ 1,708,550 $ 1,685,836
Loans 1,166,233 1,165,501 1,082,923 1,072,879
Allowance for loan
losses ("ALL") 12,042 12,199 11,562 11,444
Net loans 1,154,191 1,153,302 1,071,361 1,061,435
Investments-available
for sale, taxable 252,513 269,676 508,681 526,257
Investments-held to
maturity, taxable 140,826 136,017 407 443
Federal Home Loan
Bank ("FHLB") stock 7,496 7,496 8,145 8,145
Cash and due from
banks 30,434 35,634 34,547 30,097
Interest earning cash
and other short-term
investments 85,037 21,648 42,681 22,935
Other assets 54,972 43,357 42,728 36,524
Non-interest bearing
deposits 266,299 267,608 240,491 227,879
Savings, interest
bearing checking and
money market
accounts 752,171 745,814 700,191 687,267
Time deposits 305,106 317,824 330,398 337,817
Total deposits 1,323,576 1,331,246 1,271,080 1,252,963
Short-term borrowings -- 8,200 -- 55,600
Securities sold under
agreement to
repurchase, short-
term 250,314 179,490 287,520 227,996
Other long-term debt 2,403 2,423 2,483 2,503
Junior subordinated
debentures issued to
unconsolidated
subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 8,946 8,229 8,627 8,126
Shareholders' equity 119,611 116,923 118,221 118,029
Balance Sheets -
Quarter-to-Date
Averages
Total assets $ 1,685,103 $ 1,661,517 $ 1,682,673 $ 1,649,457
Loans 1,169,935 1,154,967 1,074,007 1,064,507
Allowance for loan
losses 12,256 11,946 11,542 11,309
Net loans 1,157,679 1,143,021 1,062,465 1,053,198
Investments-available
for sale, taxable 265,667 310,165 510,129 499,224
Investments-held to
maturity, taxable 137,319 109,753 428 464
FHLB stock 7,496 7,496 8,145 8,145
Cash and due from
banks 29,626 27,913 28,730 25,793
Interest earning cash
and other short-term
investments 47,624 21,700 26,036 16,241
Other assets 39,692 41,469 46,740 46,392
Non-interest bearing
deposits 267,838 252,795 235,007 220,646
Savings, interest
bearing checking and
money market
accounts 744,634 772,234 680,330 677,321
Time deposits 310,817 318,795 332,678 341,231
Total deposits 1,323,289 1,343,824 1,248,015 1,239,198
Short-term borrowings 198 26,451 34,347 60,141
Securities sold under
agreement to
repurchase, short-
term 212,313 145,962 250,355 196,117
Other long-term debt 2,409 2,430 2,490 9,032
Junior subordinated
debentures issued to
unconsolidated
subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 9,297 8,150 9,430 9,466
Shareholders' equity 116,978 114,081 117,417 114,884
Earning assets 1,628,041 1,604,081 1,618,745 1,588,581
Interest bearing
liabilities 1,290,990 1,286,491 1,320,819 1,304,461
Ratios and
Supplemental
Information - Period
End
Book value per share $ 19.94 $ 19.50 $ 19.84 $ 19.82
Book value per share
(1) $ 18.93 $ 18.53 $ 18.82 $ 18.81
Tier I leverage ratio 8.44% 8.42% 8.08% 8.10%
Total risk-based
capital ratio 16.12% 16.13% 16.00% 15.83%
Tangible capital
ratio (2) 6.93% 7.01% 6.92% 7.00%
Period end common
shares outstanding
(1) 6,318,708 6,311,332 6,282,385 6,274,683
Credit Quality -
Period End
Nonperforming loans
("NPLs") $ 906 $ 2,684 $ 2,912 $ 2,740
Nonperforming assets
("NPAs") $ 1,015 $ 2,707 $ 2,912 $ 2,740
NPLs as a percent of
total loans 0.08% 0.23% 0.27% 0.26%
NPAs as a percent of
total assets 0.06% 0.16% 0.17% 0.16%
ALL as a percent of
NPLs 1329% 455% 397% 418%
ALL as a percent of
total loans 1.03% 1.05% 1.07% 1.07%
(1) This book value and period end common shares outstanding includes
319,854; 314,956; 324,515; and 319,572 Rabbi Trust shares for the
periods noted above, respectively.
(2) The tangible capital ratio is calculated by dividing tangible equity by
tangible assets. Because we have no intangible assets, our tangible
shareholder's equity is the same as our shareholder's equity.
For the Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2013 2012
----------- -----------
Balance Sheets - Year-to-Date Averages
Total assets $ 1,677,342 $ 1,648,393
Loans 1,133,637 1,057,446
Allowance for loan losses 11,935 11,182
Net loans 1,121,702 1,046,264
Investments-available for sale, taxable 385,604 500,667
Investments-held to maturity, taxable 62,457 482
FHLB stock 7,618 8,235
Cash and due from banks 27,087 25,217
Interest earning cash and other short-term
investments 27,909 20,360
Other assets 44,965 47,168
Non-interest bearing deposits 246,011 214,113
Savings, interest bearing checking and money market
accounts 731,476 665,399
Time deposits 321,962 342,911
Total deposits 1,299,449 1,222,423
Short-term borrowings 17,260 38,290
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase,
short-term 212,644 230,281
Other long-term debt 2,439 13,667
Junior subordinated debentures issued to
unconsolidated subsidiary trust 20,619 20,619
Other liabilities 8,291 9,492
Shareholders' equity 116,640 113,621
Earning assets 1,617,225 1,587,190
Interest bearing liabilities 1,306,400 1,311,167
For the Twelve Months
For the Three Months Ended Ended
---------------------------------- ----------------------
December September December December December
31, 30, 31, 31, 31,
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
2013 2013 2012 2013 2012
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Results
Interest income
Interest and fees
on loans $ 11,123 $ 11,070 $ 11,117 $ 43,987 $ 44,977
Interest and
dividends on
investments 2,293 2,314 2,846 9,980 11,880
Total interest
and dividend
income 13,416 13,384 13,963 53,967 56,857
Interest expense
Deposits 928 948 803 3,350 3,551
Securities sold
under agreement
to repurchase
and other short-
term borrowings 97 83 336 914 1,790
Long-term debt 204 201 289 806 1,542
Total interest
expense 1,229 1,232 1,428 5,070 6,883
Net interest
income 12,187 12,152 12,535 48,897 49,974
Provision for
credit losses -- 400 250 800 950
Net interest
income after
provision for
credit losses 12,187 11,752 12,285 48,097 49,024
Noninterest
income
Trust division
income 784 759 685 3,062 2,685
Service charges
on deposits 1,017 995 1,077 3,989 4,078
Debit card
income, net 761 720 752 2,875 2,854
Gain (losses) on
investment
securities, net -- 1 85 (12) 507
Other-than-
temporary
impairment
losses on
securities (166) -- -- (166) --
Gain on sale of
other assets 884 -- -- 794 1,083
Other noninterest
income 242 311 386 1,088 1,406
Total noninterest
income 3,522 2,786 2,985 11,630 12,613
Noninterest
expense
Compensation and
benefits 5,106 4,754 4,826 19,165 19,582
Occupancy and
equipment
expenses 2,204 1,910 1,925 8,057 7,452
Legal and
professional
fees 754 695 591 2,755 2,545
Marketing
expenses 598 393 577 1,756 1,841
Equity in losses
of real estate
limited
partnerships,
net 273 271 327 1,084 1,516
State franchise
taxes 357 363 330 1,439 1,295
FDIC insurance 217 215 222 872 866
Prepayment
penalty -- -- -- -- 1,363
Other real estate
owned 37 17 68 121 197
Other noninterest
expense 1,396 1,282 1,498 5,369 5,809
Total noninterest
expense 10,942 9,900 10,364 40,618 42,466
Income before
provision for
income taxes 4,767 4,638 4,906 19,109 19,171
Provision for
income taxes 944 964 1,066 3,978 3,977
Net income $ 3,823 $ 3,674 $ 3,840 $ 15,131 $ 15,194
Ratios and
Supplemental
Information
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding 6,315,936 6,308,796 6,279,279 6,302,494 6,258,832
Weighted average
diluted shares
outstanding 6,330,303 6,323,602 6,291,237 6,315,936 6,271,102
Basic earnings
per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.58 $ 0.61 $ 2.40 $ 2.43
Diluted earnings
per common share $ 0.60 $ 0.58 $ 0.61 $ 2.40 $ 2.42
Return on average
assets 0.91% 0.88% 0.91% 0.90% 0.92%
Return on average
shareholders'
equity 13.07% 12.89% 13.08% 12.97% 13.37%
Average yield on
loans 3.95% 4.00% 4.30% 4.06% 4.44%
Average yield on
investments 2.19% 2.14% 2.17% 2.18% 2.32%
Average yield of
earning assets 3.40% 3.45% 3.55% 3.46% 3.71%
Average cost of
interest bearing
deposits 0.34% 0.34% 0.32% 0.32% 0.35%
Average cost of
borrowed funds 0.51% 0.58% 0.81% 0.68% 1.10%
Average cost of
interest bearing
liabilites 0.37% 0.38% 0.43% 0.39% 0.52%
Net interest rate
spread 3.03% 3.07% 3.12% 3.07% 3.19%
Net interest
margin 3.10% 3.14% 3.20% 3.15% 3.28%
Net interest
income on a
fully taxable
equivalent basis $ 12,735 $ 12,713 $ 13,019 $ 50,955 $ 51,989
Net recoveries
(charge-offs) to
Average Loans (0.01)% (0.01)% 0.00% (0.02)% 0.00%
Net recoveries
(charge-offs) $ (162) $ (67) $ (18)$ (283) $ 9
Efficiency ratio
(1) 66.20% 59.63% 60.74% 61.28% 60.63%
(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, 2013, Merchants Bank had off-balance sheet
liabilities in the form of standby letters of credit to customers in the
amount of $4.73 million.
Amounts reported for prior periods are reclassified, where necessary, to be
consistent with the current period presentation.
Established in 1849, Merchants Bank is the largest Vermont-based bank, independent and locally operated. Consumer, business, municipal and investment customers enjoy personalized relationships, sophisticated online and mobile banking options, more than 30 community bank locations statewide, plus a nationwide network of over 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs. Merchants Bank (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender) (NASDAQ: MBVT), and Merchants Trust Company employ approximately 300 full-time employees and 40 part-time employees statewide, and has earned several "Best Place to Work in Vermont" awards. American Banker ranks Merchants Bank #10 in America among 851 peers. www.mbvt.com
Non-GAAP Financial Measure. In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. In several places net interest income is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Specifically included in interest income was tax-exempt interest income from certain tax-exempt loans. An amount equal to the tax benefit derived from this tax exempt income is added back to the interest income total, to produce net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The amount added back was $530 thousand and $2.06 million, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $484 thousand and $2.02 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2012. An additional non-GAAP financial measure we use is the tangible capital ratio. Because we have no intangible assets, our tangible shareholder's equity is the same as our shareholder's equity. We b elieve that the supplemental non-GAAP information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company's financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.
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. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, continued weakness in general, national, regional or local economic conditions, the performance of our 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; volatility 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 our interest-bearing assets and liabilities; increases in loan repayment rates affecting interest income and the value of mortgage servicing rights; changing business, banking, or regulator y conditions or policies, or new legislation affecting the financial services industry 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 loans 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 our ability to take appropriate action to protect our financial interests in certain loan situations.
You should not place undue reliance on our 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 our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do 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.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT--(Marketwired - January 28, 2014) - Merchants Bancshares, Inc