Message #6 From:
NewsBot Date: October 28, 2005 09:20:00 AM
ABBC News Abington Community Bancorp, Inc. Announces 51.2% Increase in Net Income for the Third Quarter of 2005
JENKINTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2005--Abington Community Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:ABBC), "mid-tier" holding company for Abington Bank (the "Bank"), reported net income of $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, representing an increase of 51.2% over the comparable 2004 period. Additionally, the Company reported net income of $4.7 million for the first nine months of 2005, representing an increase of 50.7% over the comparable 2004 period. Earnings per share were $0.10 and $0.31, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Mr. Robert W. White, Chairman, President and CEO of the Company, stated, "We have continued to successfully meet our goals and financial targets as a new public company. We were pleased to pay another quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share in September. Our growth on both sides of the balance sheet has been exceptional, especially in the areas of loans and deposits. Our plans to open three new branches in Montgomery County and Bucks County will help us to continue this growth."
Net interest income was $5.3 million and $15.5 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, representing increases of 28.6% and 29.3% over the comparable 2004 periods. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2005 increased $2.6 million or 34.0% over the comparable 2004 period. Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased $6.5 million or 29.2% over the comparable 2004 period. For both the three-month and nine-month periods, the increase in interest income was primarily a result of growth in the average balances of all categories of interest-earning assets, as well as increases in the average yields on those assets. The most substantial growth was seen in our loan portfolio. The average balance of our loan portfolio increased $99.4 million or 25.4% to $491.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 from $391.7 million for quarter ended September 30, 2004. Similarly, the average balance of our loan portfolio increased $74.6 million or 19.8% to $452.2 million for the first nine months of 2005 from $377.6 million for the first nine months of 2004. The increases in interest income were somewhat offset by increases in interest expense. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2005 increased $1.4 million or 40.3% over the comparable 2004 period. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased $3.0 million or 29.1% over the comparable 2004 period. For the three months ended September 30, 2005, the increase in interest expense was the result of increases in the average balances of deposits and FHLB advances as well as increases in the average rates paid on deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings. For the three months ended September 30, 2005 our average deposit balance grew by $78.8 million or 22.4%, primarily due to growth in higher-rate certificates of deposit. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the increase in interest expense was the result of increases in the average balances of, and average rates paid on, all categories of interest bearing liabilities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 our average deposit balance grew by $60.9 million or 17.7%, again due primarily to growth in higher-rate certificates of deposit. Consequently, our average interest rate spread decreased to 2.26% and 2.29% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, from 2.36% and 2.32% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. Our net interest margin, however, increased to 2.76% and 2.79% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, from 2.67% and 2.65% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.
We made a $20,000 provision to the allowance for loan losses during the third quarter of 2005 with no such provision during the third quarter of 2004. However, a provision for loan losses of $20,000 was made in the first nine months of 2005 compared to a provision of $45,000 in the first nine months of 2004. The provision for loan losses is charged to expense as necessary to bring our allowance for loan losses to a sufficient level to cover known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The provision taken during the third quarter of 2005 was primarily the result of growth in the loan portfolio while the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio remains strong. At September 30, 2005, non-performing loans amounted to 0.06% of loans receivable and our allowance for loan losses amounted to 435.0% of non-performing loans.
Our total non-interest income amounted to $770,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to $509,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. The increase was due primarily to a $37,000 gain on derivative instruments in 2005 compared to a $106,000 loss on derivative instruments in 2004 as well as to $166,000 of income from bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") recognized during the third quarter of 2005 with no comparable BOLI income in 2004. These gains were partially offset by a $40,000 decrease in service charge income.
Total non-interest income amounted to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The increase was due primarily to $330,000 of income from BOLI purchased in March 2005 and an $80,000 gain on derivative instruments for the first nine months of 2005 compared to a loss of $155,000 for the first nine months of 2004. These gains were partially offset by a $62,000 decrease in service charge income for the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months of 2004.
Our total non-interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 amounted to $3.9 million, representing an increase of $856,000 or 28.1% from the quarter ended September 30, 2004. The overall increase was due to increases in all categories of non-interest expense with the exception of ATM expense and deposit insurance premiums, which decreased slightly. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $464,000 or 28.3% for the third quarter of 2005 when compared to the third quarter of 2004, primarily due to additional expenses of $296,000 relating to the Company's employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP"), 2005 Stock Option Plan ("SOP") and 2005 Recognition and Retention Plan ("RRP"). The remainder of the increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was due to growth in total employees and normal merit increases in salaries. Net occupancy expense increased approximately $160,000 or 59.6%, due in part to leases entered into for the three new branches that are expected to open later this year and next year. Other non-interest expense increased approximately $164,000 or 31.9% due primarily to increased audit and professional fees primarily as the result of becoming a public reporting entity as well as to additional expense of $77,000 for SOP and RRP awards to directors.
Total non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 amounted to $10.9 million, representing an increase of $2.1 million or 23.9% from the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The overall increase was due to increases in all categories of non-interest expense with the exception of data processing expense, which decreased slightly. Salaries and employee benefits expense, the largest component of non-interest expense, increased $1.1 million or 23.3% for the first nine months of 2005 when compared to the first nine months of 2004. This increase was primarily due to additional expense of $531,000 relating to the Company's ESOP, SOP and RRP, all of which began in 2005. The remainder of the increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was due to growth in total employees and normal merit increases in salaries. Our net occupancy expense increased approximately $363,000 or 42.3%, due in part to the leases entered into for the three new branches. Other non-interest expense increased approximately $498,000 or 33.5% due primarily to increased audit and professional fees as the result of becoming a public reporting entity as well as to additional expense of $77,000 for SOP and RRP awards to directors.
Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2005 amounted to $604,000 compared to $571,000 for the third quarter of 2004. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 amounted to $2.0 million compared to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. For both the three- and nine-month periods in 2005, the increase in income tax expense was due to the increase in our pre-tax income, partially offset by an improvement in our effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate decreased to 27.5% and 29.3% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, from 35.1% and 33.9% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The improved tax rates were primarily a result of increased investment in tax-exempt municipal securities and bank owned life insurance.
The Company's total assets increased $110.7 million, or 15.4%, to $828.7 million at September 30, 2005 compared to $718.0 million at December 31, 2004. During the first nine months of 2005, net loans receivable increased $93.1 million or 22.6% to $505.8 million. All categories of loans increased, with the largest growth occurring in one- to four-family residential loans and construction loans. Our investment securities, both held-to-maturity and available-for-sale, increased by an aggregate of $13.0 million or 15.0% to an aggregate of $99.4 million at September 30, 2005 compared to an aggregate of $86.4 million at December 31, 2004. Our mortgage-backed securities, both held-to-maturity and available-for-sale, decreased by an aggregate of $5.8 million or 3.5% to an aggregate of $159.0 million at September 30, 2005 compared to an aggregate of $164.7 million at December 31, 2004. During the first nine months of 2005, purchases of investment and mortgage-backed securities of $43.6 million in the aggregate were partially offset by $34.1 million in repayments of our held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment and mortgage-backed securities. Additionally, the Company purchased $15.0 million of BOLI during the first quarter of 2005, which is reflected in the Company's balance sheet at its cash surrender value. The BOLI is intended to fund various benefit programs of the Company.
Our total deposits increased $69.3 million or 17.1% to $474.6 million at September 30, 2005 from $405.3 million at December 31, 2004 as a result of a $83.1 million increase in certificate accounts that was partially offset by decreases in savings and money market accounts and checking accounts. Our advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") increased $41.9 million or 24.6% during the first nine months of 2005 to $212.6 million at September 30, 2005 compared to $170.7 million at December 31, 2004. We utilize advances from the FHLB as an alternative to retail deposits in order to fund operations and additional asset growth. The $3.9 million increase in other borrowed money to $16.7 million at September 30, 2005 compared to $12.9 million at December 31, 2004 reflects an increase in the amount of securities repurchase agreements entered into with certain commercial checking account customers.
Our stockholders' equity decreased $6.7 million to $116.4 million at September 30, 2005 compared to $123.1 million at December 31, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to the purchase of approximately 419,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an aggregate of $5.3 million by the Company's ESOP and the purchase of approximately 286,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an aggregate of $3.7 million by the Company's RRP. These purchases were partially offset by a commitment to release approximately 29,000 unallocated ESOP shares and the amortization of approximately 14,000 unvested RRP shares for aggregate costs of approximately $355,000 and $164,000, respectively. The payment of the Company's quarterly cash dividends of $0.05 per share in June and September reduced retained earnings by $1.5 million. Additionally, our accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $1.4 million. These decreases to stockholders' equity were partially offset by our net income for the first nine months of 2005, resulting in a net increase to retained earnings of $3.2 million.
Abington Community Bancorp, Inc. is the "mid-tier" holding company for Abington Bank. Abington Bank is a Pennsylvania-chartered, FDIC-insured savings bank which was originally organized in 1867. Abington Bank conducts business from its headquarters and main office in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania as well as seven additional full service branch offices and four limited service banking offices located in Montgomery and Bucks Counties, Pennsylvania. As of September 30, 2005, Abington Community Bancorp had $828.7 million in total assets, $474.6 million in deposits and $116.4 million in stockholders' equity.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the financial condition, results of operations and earnings outlook for Abington Community Bancorp, Inc. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors - many of which are beyond the Company's control - could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company's reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, describe some of these factors, including general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, changes in credit quality and interest rate risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors described include changes in our loan portfolio, changes in competition, fiscal and monetary policies and legislation and regulatory changes. Investors are encouraged to access the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial and business information regarding the Company at www.abingtonbank.com under the Investor Relations menu. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
ABINGTON COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (unaudited)
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September 30, December 31,
2005 2004
------------- -------------
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks $18,094,729 $24,867,784
Interest-bearing bank balances 6,516,474 8,428,048
------------- -------------
Total cash and cash equivalents 24,611,203 33,295,832
Investment securities held to maturity
(estimated fair value--2005, $20,418,189;
2004, $10,336,485) 20,396,133 10,219,764
Investment securities available for sale
(amortized cost--2005, $80,916,417; 2004,
$77,348,884) 78,964,879 76,163,951
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
(estimated fair value--2005, $72,012,247;
2004, $81,322,041) 73,552,676 81,703,737
Mortgage-backed securities available for
sale (amortized cost--2005, $87,020,697;
2004, $83,300,963) 85,398,931 83,027,943
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan
losses (2005, $1,392,243; 2004,
$1,412,697) 505,789,110 412,655,664
Accrued interest receivable 3,604,620 2,710,162
Federal Home Loan Bank stock--at cost 11,605,400 10,450,100
Cash surrender value - bank owned life
insurance 15,330,453 -
Property and equipment, net 6,033,298 5,533,085
Deferred tax asset 2,343,631 1,313,068
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,044,633 905,074
------------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS $828,674,967 $717,978,380
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing $37,462,510 $37,596,228
Interest-bearing 437,124,600 367,693,829
------------- -------------
Total deposits 474,587,110 405,290,057
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 212,580,104 170,666,374
Other borrowed money 16,738,753 12,865,521
Accrued interest payable 3,912,433 910,040
Advances from borrowers for taxes and
insurance 506,355 2,047,151
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,960,829 3,144,536
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 712,285,584 594,923,679
------------- -------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
10,000,000 shares authorized, none
issued - -
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000
shares authorized, issued and
outstanding: 15,870,000 in 2005 and 2004 158,700 158,700
Additional paid-in capital 69,070,524 69,096,936
Unallocated common stock held by:
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) (7,003,098) (2,046,137)
Recognition & Retention Plan Trust
(RRP) (3,521,593) -
Deferred compensation plans trust (1,050,000) (1,074,200)
Retained earnings 61,093,231 57,881,651
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,358,381) (962,249)
------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 116,389,383 123,054,701
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $828,674,967 $717,978,380
============= =============
ABINGTON COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
----------------------- -------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest on loans $7,683,975 $5,743,416 $20,860,816 $16,708,624
Interest and
dividends on
investment and
mortgage-backed
securities:
Taxable 2,500,970 1,986,157 7,639,385 5,678,580
Tax-exempt 214,482 31,755 471,876 35,265
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total
interest
income 10,399,427 7,761,328 28,972,077 22,422,469
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on
deposits 2,668,445 1,665,979 6,826,392 4,779,645
Interest on Federal
Home Loan Bank
advances 2,259,801 1,908,494 6,290,844 5,571,236
Interest on other
borrowed money 122,642 26,508 318,307 54,737
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total
interest
expense 5,050,888 3,600,981 13,435,543 10,405,618
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NET INTEREST INCOME 5,348,539 4,160,347 15,536,534 12,016,851
PROVISION FOR LOAN
LOSSES 20,000 - 20,000 45,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NET INTEREST INCOME
AFTER PROVISION FOR
LOAN LOSSES 5,328,539 4,160,347 15,516,534 11,971,851
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Service charges 436,938 477,187 1,320,289 1,382,010
Rental income 10,048 12,687 33,998 39,277
Gain (loss) on
derivative
instruments, net 37,380 (105,644) 80,050 (154,869)
Other income 286,003 125,135 677,573 337,563
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total non-
interest
income 770,369 509,365 2,111,910 1,603,981
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and
employee benefits 2,107,339 1,643,103 5,772,441 4,682,746
Net occupancy 429,222 268,963 1,219,505 856,905
Depreciation 133,302 124,310 378,222 374,398
Data processing 306,020 300,560 897,669 902,333
ATM expense 82,174 94,274 250,204 207,461
Deposit insurance
premium 31,620 32,721 91,265 84,898
Advertising and
promotions 132,524 66,047 334,510 226,563
Other 678,500 514,511 1,980,927 1,483,318
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total non-
interest
expenses 3,900,701 3,044,489 10,924,743 8,818,622
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES 2,198,207 1,625,223 6,703,701 4,757,210
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
PROVISION FOR INCOME
TAXES 603,819 570,900 1,962,253 1,610,740
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NET INCOME $1,594,388 $1,054,323 $4,741,448 $3,146,470
=========== =========== ============ ============
EARNINGS PER COMMON
SHARE:
BASIC $0.10 n/a $0.31 n/a
DILUTED $0.10 n/a $0.31 n/a
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING:
BASIC 15,244,232 n/a 15,366,869 n/a
DILUTED 15,485,363 n/a 15,448,129 n/a
ABINGTON COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
-------------------- --------------------
Selected Operating Ratios(1):
Average yield on interest-
earning assets 5.36% 4.98% 5.21% 4.94%
Average rate on interest-
bearing liabilities 3.10% 2.62% 2.92% 2.62%
Average interest rate
spread(2) 2.26% 2.36% 2.29% 2.32%
Net interest margin(2) 2.76% 2.67% 2.79% 2.65%
Average interest-earning
assets to average interest-
bearing liabilities 119.02% 113.61% 120.91% 114.02%
Net interest income after
provision for loan losses to
non-interest expense 136.61% 136.66% 142.03% 135.75%
Total non-interest expense to
average assets 1.90% 1.87% 1.86% 1.86%
Efficiency ratio(3) 63.75% 65.20% 61.90% 64.75%
Return on average assets 0.78% 0.65% 0.81% 0.67%
Return on average equity 5.36% 7.69% 5.25% 7.70%
Average equity to average
assets 14.46% 8.41% 15.34% 8.64%
Asset Quality Ratios(4):
Non-performing loans as a
percent of total loans
receivable(5) 0.06% 0.01% 0.06% 0.01%
Non-performing assets as a
percent of total assets(5) 0.04% 0.00% 0.04% 0.00%
Allowance for loan losses as
a percent of non-performing
loans 435.00% 5430.77% 435.00% 5430.77%
Net charge-offs/(recoveries)
to average loans receivable 0.00% (0.01)% 0.01% 0.02%
Capital Ratios(6):
Tier 1 leverage ratio 10.47% 8.72% 10.47% 8.72%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
ratio 17.05% 14.42% 17.05% 14.42%
Total risk-based capital
ratio 17.33% 14.78% 17.33% 14.78%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) With the exception of end of period ratios, all ratios are based
on average monthly balances during the indicated periods and, for
the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005
and 2004, are annualized where appropriate.
(2) Average interest rate spread represents the difference between the
average yield on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid
on interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest margin
represents net interest income as a percentage of average
interest-earning assets.
(3) The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of non-interest expense
divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
(4) Asset quality ratios are end of period ratios, except for net
charge-offs to average loans receivable.
(5) Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and real
estate owned. Non-performing loans consist of all accruing loans
90 days or more past due and all non-accruing loans. It is our
policy to cease accruing interest on all loans 90 days or more
past due. Real estate owned consists of real estate acquired
through foreclosure and real estate acquired by acceptance of a
deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
(6) Capital ratios are end of period ratios and are calculated for
Abington Bank per regulatory requirements.
