ALPENA, Mich., April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFNM) (the "Company") reported consolidated net earnings of $356,000, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to consolidated net earnings of $221,000, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.  Annualized return on average assets was 0.42% and return on average equity was 4.58% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 0.42% and 3.73%, respectively for the prior year period.

The Company's results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 include:

• Quarter over quarter increase of $520,000 to net interest income.
• Provision for loan losses of $23,000 as compared to $16,000 for the prior year period.
• Quarter over quarter increase in the Company's non-interest expense of $536,000, primarily resulting from additional staff and amortization of core deposit intangible assets following the merger in 2014.
• Increase of $14.6 million in the average balance of low cost core deposits during the first quarter of 2015.
• Book value per share at March 31, 2015 was $8.36 compared to $8.31 at March 31, 2014, primarily reflecting the Company's improvement to earnings period over period and as a result of the recent merger.

When comparing our results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 to the three months ended December 31, 2014 net interest income remained unchanged at $2.3 million. Non-interest income decreased $79,000 to $494,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 from $573,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.  This decrease is the primary result of $166,000 of additional bargain purchase gain recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014 offset by an increase of $91,000 in gain on sale of assets held for sale which was recorded in the first quarter of 2015. Our non-interest expenses decreased $151,000 to $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $2.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease is primarily related to a reduction of $121,000 in real estate owned expenses and a $23,000 reduction in advertising costs in the first quarter of 2015.

Michael W. Mahler, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "Our growth since the merger in 2014 has resulted in a 29% increase in net interest income and a 60% increase in net income period over period. While we are pleased with this growth, our strategic goal continues to be increasing our residential and commercial loan portfolios to continue the expansion of the Company. We are confident that our strategy will continue to provide earning growth and enhance value for our shareholders." 

Craig Kus, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, added, "While provision expense increased quarter over quarter, asset quality remains strong as demonstrated by a reduction in our Texas ratio to 14.90% from 17.06% as of December 31, 2014. This is also evident in our reduced levels of non-performing loans and net charge-offs as compared to the same period one year earlier."

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets to total assets decreased to 1.32%, at March 31, 2015, from 1.52% at December 31, 2014 and 1.81% at March 31, 2014. The Company continues to closely monitor nonperforming assets and has taken a variety of steps to reduce the level thereof, such as:

• Timely pursuit of foreclosure and/or repossession options coupled with quick and aggressive marketing efforts of repossessed assets;
• Restructuring loans, where feasible, to assist borrowers;
• Allowing borrowers to structure short-sales of properties, where appropriate and viable; securing judgments when feasible and
• Working with borrowers to find a means of reducing outstanding debt (such as through sales of collateral).

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company at March 31, 2015 were $338.9 million, an increase of $13.0 million, or 4.0%, from $325.9 million at December 31, 2014. Securities available for sale increased $6.3 million, or 5.3%, to $126.3 million, while net loans receivable decreased $1.5 million, or 1.0%, to $162.1 million at March 31, 2015.

Deposits increased $14.7 million, or 5.4%, to $285.5 million at March 31, 2015 from December 31, 2014. FHLB advances decreased $2.1 million, or 9%, as proceeds from loan payments and payoffs, as well as cash on hand, were used to pay off maturing advances.

Stockholders' equity increased $626,000, or 2.1%, to $31.2 million at March 31, 2015 from December 31, 2014.  The increase was due primarily to net earnings for the three-month period of $356,000 and an increase of $345,000 in the unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities, offset by a dividend payment of $75,000. At March 31, 2015 First Federal of Northern Michigan remains "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes, as shown in the table below.

Results of Operations

Interest income increased to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $2.0 million for the year earlier period. The increase in interest income resulted primarily from:

• $8.4 million increase in average balances in our mortgage portfolio while the yield on these assets declined 44 basis points to 4.44% from 4.88%.
• $18.8 million increase in average balance in our non-mortgage portfolio and a 13 basis point increase in yield to 5.29% from 5.16%.
• $76.4 million in average balance increase in our available for sale investment portfolio while the yield on the portfolio declined 35 basis points to 1.78% from 2.13%.

Interest expense increased to $301,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $249,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in interest expense was due primarily to:

• The cost of FHLB advances increasing 13 basis points to 1.20% from 1.07%;
• The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increasing $73.2 million with the cost of these deposits decreasing 9 basis points to 0.46% from 0.55%.  

The Company's net interest margin decreased to 2.96% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 from 3.66% for the same period in 2014 as a result of the factors mentioned above.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was $23,000, as compared to $16,000 for the prior year period. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014 we experienced fewer loans requiring specific reserves along with lower level of charge-offs. The provision was based on management's review of the components of the overall loan portfolio, the status of non-performing loans and other subjective factors.

Non-interest income increased to $494,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 from $336,000 for the 2014 period. Income related to mortgage banking activities increased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014. In addition, we recorded a gain of $81,000 as the result of the sale of a former operations office during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015.

Non-interest expense increased $536,000 to $2.4 million for the 2015 period from $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as we saw increases in the following areas:

• $310,000 in total compensation and employee benefits, as a result of adding staff following the merger in 2014. With increases in the following categories:
  • $180,000 in salaries,  
  • $54,000 in incentive compensation,
  • $33,000 for health insurance and
  • $22,000 related to payroll taxes.
• $44,000 in occupancy,
• $40,000 in service bureau,
• $31,000 in amortization of intangible assets,  
• $45,000 in expenses related to troubled credits and real estate owned,
• Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $19,000 in professional service.

With the increases detailed above our efficiency ratio increased to 86.23% at March 31, 2015 from 84.97% for the prior year period.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 the Company recorded no tax expense.

Selected Performance Ratios

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release and other releases and reports issued by the Company, including reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, may contain "forward-looking statements." The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company is including this statement for purposes of taking advantage of the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-federal-of-northern-michigan-bancorp-inc-announces-first-quarter-2015-results-300071789.html

SOURCE First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.