Gahanna, OH – April 21, 2015 – Heartland BancCorp (“the company,” and “the bank”) (OTCQB: HLAN), today reported earnings increased 25.6% to $1.6 million, or $0.98 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $1.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, in the first quarter a year ago.
The Company also announced its board of directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by 5% to $0.3724 per share. The dividend will be payable July 10, 2015, to common shareholders of record as of June 25, 2015. Previously Heartland paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3547 per share.
“We started off 2015 with the same robust pace as we finished 2014, with double digit loan and deposit growth year-over-year as well as continued meaningful progress in reducing nonperforming assets,” stated G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO.
“Management, at the board’s direction, is positioning the bank for future growth by strengthening our balance sheet, liquidity, and capital base. At this time we are exploring all growth opportunities, both organic and through acquisition, in our current markets and surrounding areas.”
First Quarter Financial Highlights (at or for the period ended March 31, 2015)
Net income was $1.6 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2014.
Net interest margin remained healthy and above peer levels at 4.05%.
Annualized return on average assets was 0.95%.
Annualized return on average equity was 10.26%.
Total deposits increased to $586.1 million, a 14.5% increase compared to a year ago.
Net loans increased to $515.6 million, a 20.1% increase compared to a year ago.
Non-performing assets decreased 44.5% to $3.0 million, or 0.44% of total assets, at March 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014.
Book value per share increased 10.2% to $39.80 per share compared to $36.11 per share one year earlier.
Increased its quarterly cash dividend 5% to $0.3724 per share, which represents a 3.5% yield based on the March 31, 2015 stock price.
Balance Sheet Review
“Our community bankers generated another strong quarter of loan production,” said McComb. “As a result, net loans increased 20.1% to $515.6 million at quarter end, compared to $429.3 million a year earlier. Additionally, we continue to see significant potential for current and future growth in relationships in our marketplace.”
Total deposits increased 14.5% to $586.1 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $511.9 million a year earlier. Demand accounts represented 18.7%, while savings, NOW and money market accounts represented 37.6%, and CDs comprised 43.7% of the total deposit portfolio, at March 31, 2015.
Total assets increased 12.5% to $675.6 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $600.8 million a year earlier. Shareholders’ equity increased 10.4% to $61.9 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $56.0 million one year ago. At quarter end, Heartland’s tangible book value increased 10.3% to $39.53 per share compared to $35.84 per share one year earlier.
Credit Quality
"Credit quality continues to improve, with nonperforming loans declining dramatically during the quarter and year-over year," said McComb. Heartland’s nonaccrual loans decreased 46.7% to $2.4 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $4.5 million three months earlier, and decreased 54.5% compared to $5.2 million a year earlier. Other real estate owned (OREO) and other non-performing assets increased modestly to $117,000 at March 31, 2015, compared to $108,000 three months earlier and decreased 88.8% compared to $1.0 million a year earlier.
Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO, and loans delinquent 90 days or more, decreased 44.5% to $3.0 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $5.3 million three months earlier, and decreased 53.5% when compared to $6.4 million a year ago.
Heartland’s first quarter provision for loan losses was $240,000, compared to $225,000 in the preceding quarter and $405,000 in the first quarter a year ago. As of March 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses represented 221.2% of nonaccrual loans compared to 119.7% three months earlier, and 97.4% one year earlier.
Net charge-offs were $319,000 in the first quarter compared to $238,000 in the preceding quarter, and net recoveries of $19,000 in the first quarter a year ago. The allowance for loan losses was $5.3 million, or 1.01% of total loans at March 31, 2015, compared to $5.4 million, or 1.06% of total loans at December 31, 2014, and $5.1 million, or 1.07% of total loans a year ago.
Operating Results
"Growing earnings in pace with assets keep us focused on generating sustainable profitability,” said McComb. Heartland’s net interest margin improved four basis points to 4.05% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to 4.01% in the preceding quarter and declined eight basis points compared to 4.13% in the first quarter a year ago.
Total revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses, plus non-interest income) increased 12.5% to $6.8 million in the first quarter, compared to $6.0 million in the first quarter a year ago. Net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 13.9% to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $5.3 million in the first quarter a year ago.
Heartland’s noninterest income increased slightly to $679,000 in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $669,000 in the first quarter a year ago.
“The increase in noninterest expense for the current quarter reflects higher employee and incentive costs due to higher loan production and expansion into new markets such as Pickerington, Ohio. The bank is at the point where we need more corporate and operations staff to continue to mitigate risk and support a robust growing balance sheet," said McComb. In the first quarter of 2015, noninterest expenses increased 10.2% to $4.3 million, compared to $3.9 million in the first quarter a year ago.
About Heartland BancCorp
Heartland BancCorp is a registered Ohio bank holding company and the parent of Heartland Bank, which operates twelve full-service banking offices. Heartland Bank, founded in 1911, provides full service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; alternative investment services; insurance services; and other financial products and services. Heartland Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Heartland BancCorp is currently quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQB) under the symbol HLAN. Learn more about Heartland Bank at HeartlandBank.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release. It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to implement its strategy and expand its lending operations.