Peoples Bancorp Announces Second Quarter Earnings Results

By: Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. via AccessWire

July 19, 2021 at 09:00 AM EDT

NEWTON, NC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2021 / Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEBK), the parent company of Peoples Bank, reported second quarter earnings results with highlights as follows:

Second quarter highlights:

Net earnings were $4.6 million or $0.82 basic net earnings per share and $0.80 diluted net earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $2.6 million or $0.46 basic net earnings per share and $0.44 diluted net earnings per share for the same period one year ago.
The Bank originated 72 Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, totaling $3.3 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The Bank recognized $1.5 million in PPP loan fee income during the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Year to date highlights:

Net earnings were $8.7 million or $1.55 basic net earnings per share and $1.51 diluted net earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $4.9 million or $0.87 basic net earnings per share and $0.84 diluted net earnings per share for the same period one year ago.
The Bank originated 419 SBA PPP loans, totaling $29.1 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Bank recognized $2.5 million in PPP loan fee income during the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Core deposits were $1.4 billion or 98.09% of total deposits at June 30, 2021, compared to $1.1 billion or 97.88% of total deposits at June 30, 2020.

Lance A. Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer, attributed the increase in second quarter net earnings to an increase in net interest income, a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in non-interest income, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense during the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, as discussed below.

Net interest income was $11.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $10.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net interest income was due to a $879,000 increase in interest income and a $70,000 decrease in interest expense. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a $823,000 increase in interest income and fees on loans, which was primarily due to a $1.5 million increase in fee income on SBA PPP loans. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") borrowings. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses was $11.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $9.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was a credit of $226,000, compared to an expense of $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a decrease in reserves on loans with payment modifications made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in reserves due to a net decrease in the volume of loans in the general reserve pool. At June 30, 2021, the balance of loans with existing modifications as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was $283,000. At December 31, 2020, the balance of loans with existing modifications as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic was $18.3 million. The Company continues to track all loans that are currently modified or have been modified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan balances associated with COVID-19 pandemic related modifications have been grouped into their own pool within the Company's Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses ("ALLL") model as they have a higher likelihood of risk, and a higher reserve rate has been applied to that pool. Of all loans modified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, $108.2 million have returned to their original terms; however, the effects of stimulus in the current environment are still unknown, and additional losses may be present in loans that are currently modified and/or loans that were once modified. At December 31, 2020, the balance for all loans that were then currently modified or previously modified but returned to their original terms was $119.6 million. The $11.4 million decrease from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021 in the balance of currently or previously modified loans that had returned to their original terms is primarily due to loans paid off during the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Non-interest income was $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $5.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest income is primarily attributable to a $593,000 increase in miscellaneous non-interest income primarily due to an increase in debit card income resulting from increased debit card activity and an increase in income on Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") investments, and a $271,000 increase in appraisal management fee income due to an increase in the volume of appraisals.

Non-interest expense was $12.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $11.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily attributable to a $301,000 increase in appraisal management fee expense due to an increase in the volume of appraisals and a $170,000 increase in other non-interest expenses.

Year-to-date net earnings as of June 30, 2021 were $8.7 million or $1.55 basic net earnings per share and $1.51 diluted net earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $4.9 million or $0.87 basic net earnings per share and $0.84 diluted net earnings per share for the same period one year ago. The increase in year-to-date net earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in net interest income, a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in non-interest income, which were partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020, as discussed below.

Year-to-date net interest income as of June 30, 2021 was $22.8 million, compared to $21.9 million for the same period one year ago. The increase in net interest income was due to a $551,000 increase in interest income and a $296,000 decrease in interest expense. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a $807,000 increase in interest income and fees on loans, which was primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in fee income on SBA PPP loans. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities and a decrease in FHLB borrowings. Net interest income after the provision for loan losses was $23.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $19.0 million for the same period one year ago. The provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was a credit of $681,000, compared to an expense of $2.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the provision for loan losses is primarily attributable to a decrease in reserves on loans with payment modifications made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in reserves due to a net decrease in the volume of loans in the general reserve pool.

Non-interest income was $11.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest income is primarily attributable to a $708,000 increase in mortgage banking income due to an increase in mortgage loan volume, a $737,000 increase in appraisal management fee income due to an increase in the volume of appraisals and a $1.0 million increase in miscellaneous non-interest income primarily due to an increase in debit card income resulting from increased debit card activity and an increase in income on SBIC investments.

Non-interest expense was $24.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $22.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily attributable to a $723,000 increase in appraisal management fee expense due to an increase in the volume of appraisals and a $590,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense primarily due to increases in insurance costs and incentive compensation.

Income tax expense was $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $535,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The effective tax rate was 20.55% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 17.28% for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Income tax expense was $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The effective tax rate was 20.41% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 16.90% for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Total assets were $1.6 billion as of June 30, 2021, compared to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2020. Available for sale securities were $367.5 million as of June 30, 2021, compared to $245.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Total loans were $888.4 million as of June 30, 2021, compared to $948.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease in loans is primarily due to a $38.3 million decrease in PPP loans primarily due to PPP loans being forgiven by the SBA during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and a $33.7 million decrease in commercial loans due to loan payoffs during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company had $37.5 million and $75.8 million in PPP loans at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Non-performing assets were $3.4 million or 0.21% of total assets at June 30, 2021, compared to $3.9 million or 0.27% of total assets at December 31, 2020. Non-performing assets include $3.3 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans and $67,000 in other loans at June 30, 2021, compared to $3.5 million in commercial and residential mortgage loans, $226,000 in other loans, and $128,000 in other real estate owned at December 31, 2020.

The allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2021 was $9.3 million or 1.05% of total loans, compared to $9.9 million or 1.04% of total loans at December 31, 2020. Management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate; however, there is no assurance that additional adjustments to the allowance will not be required because of changes in economic conditions, regulatory requirements or other factors.

Deposits were $1.4 billion at June 30, 2021, compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020. Core deposits, which include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, NOW, MMDA, savings and non-brokered certificates of deposit of denominations less than $250,000, were $1.4 billion at June 30, 2021, compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020. Certificates of deposit in amounts of $250,000 or more totaled $26.6 million at June 30, 2021, compared to $25.8 million at December 31, 2020.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $31.2 million at June 30, 2021, compared to $26.2 million at December 31, 2020. Junior subordinated debentures were $15.5 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Shareholders' equity was $145.4 million, or 9.09% of total assets, at June 30, 2021, compared to $139.9 million, or 9.89% of total assets, at December 31, 2020.

Peoples Bank currently operates 17 banking offices entirely in North Carolina, with offices in Catawba, Alexander, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wake Counties. The Bank also operates loan production offices in Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties. The Company's common stock is publicly traded and is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "PEBK."

Statements made in this press release, other than those concerning historical information, should be considered forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management and on the information available to management at the time that this release was prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "believe," variations of these words and other similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the markets served by Peoples Bank, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectibility of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations and (7) other risks and factors identified in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to those described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Contact: Lance A. Sellers
President and Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey N. Hooper
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
828-464-5620, Fax 828-465-6780

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2021, December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)


	June 30, 2021			December 31, 2020			June 30, 2020
	(Unaudited)			(Audited)			(Unaudited)
ASSETS:
Cash and due from banks	$	47,151		$	42,737		$	48,990
Interest-bearing deposits		240,158			118,843			15,694
Federal funds sold		-			-			124,955
Cash and cash equivalents		287,309			161,580			189,639

Investment securities available for sale		367,529			245,249			207,469
Other investments		3,758			4,155			7,196
Total securities		371,287			249,404			214,665

Mortgage loans held for sale		5,501			9,139			10,594

Loans		888,360			948,639			966,543
Less: Allowance for loan losses		(9,287	)		(9,908	)		(9,433	)
Net loans		879,073			938,731			957,110

Premises and equipment, net		17,217			18,600			18,480
Cash surrender value of life insurance		17,164			16,968			16,507
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		22,022			21,753			19,994
Total assets	$	1,599,573		$	1,416,175		$	1,426,989


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	512,577		$	456,980		$	457,637
Interest-bearing demand, MMDA & savings		775,009			657,834			594,948
Time, $250,000 or more		26,631			25,771			24,477
Other time		77,837			80,501			77,267
Total deposits		1,392,054			1,221,086			1,154,329

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		31,249			26,201			31,747
FHLB borrowings		-			-			70,000
Junior subordinated debentures		15,464			15,464			15,464
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities		15,432			13,525			18,408
Total liabilities		1,454,199			1,276,276			1,289,948

Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized
5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding		-			-			-
Common stock, no par value; authorized
20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
5,789,166 shares at 6/30/21,
5,787,504 shares at 12/31/20 and 6/30/20		56,910			56,871			56,871
Common stock held by deferred compensation trust,
at cost; 158,985 shares at 6/30/21, 155,469 shares
at 12/31/20 and 150,309 shares at 6/30/20		(1,901	)		(1,796	)		(1,700	)
Deferred compensation		1,901			1,796			1,700
Retained earnings		84,504			77,628			72,942
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,960			5,400			7,228
Total shareholders' equity		145,374			139,899			137,041

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,599,573		$	1,416,175		$	1,426,989

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three months ended					Six months ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2021			2020		2021			2020
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans	$	11,003		$	10,180	$	21,667		$	20,860
Interest on due from banks		48			41		83			84
Interest on federal funds sold		-			22		-			145
Interest on investment securities:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		682			651		1,220			1,336
State and political subdivisions		758			684		1,397			1,325
Other		26			60		72			138
Total interest income		12,517			11,638		24,439			23,888

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest-bearing demand, MMDA & savings deposits		543			448		1,040			973
Time deposits		191			224		403			501
FHLB borrowings		-			102		-			166
Junior subordinated debentures		71			90		142			220
Other		37			48		72			93
Total interest expense		842			912		1,657			1,953

NET INTEREST INCOME		11,675			10,726		22,782			21,935
PROVISION FOR (RECOVERY OF) LOAN LOSSES		(226	)		1,417		(681	)		2,938
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		11,901			9,309		23,463			18,997

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Service charges		910			718		1,836			1,826
Other service charges and fees		171			162		383			355
Mortgage banking income		723			563		1,593			885
Insurance and brokerage commissions		238			205		498			447
Appraisal management fee income		2,005			1,734		3,821			3,084
Miscellaneous		1,993			1,400		3,782			2,780
Total non-interest income		6,040			5,239		11,913			9,834

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,666			5,535		11,849			11,259
Occupancy		1,939			1,861		3,892			3,782
Appraisal management fee expense		1,634			1,333		3,090			2,367
Other		2,893			2,723		5,569			5,493
Total non-interest expense		12,132			11,452		24,400			22,901

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		5,809			3,096		10,976			5,930
INCOME TAXES		1,194			535		2,240			1,002

NET EARNINGS	$	4,615		$	2,561	$	8,736		$	4,928

PER SHARE AMOUNTS
Basic net earnings	$	0.82		$	0.46	$	1.55		$	0.87
Diluted net earnings	$	0.80		$	0.44	$	1.51		$	0.84
Cash dividends	$	0.16		$	0.15	$	0.32		$	0.45
Book value	$	25.82		$	24.82	$	25.82		$	24.82

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, and the year ended December 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)

	Three months ended						Six months ended						Year ended
	June 30,						June 30,						December 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020			2020
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Audited)
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
Available for sale securities	$	346,889		$	195,101		$	305,127		$	191,986		$	200,821
Loans		916,393			947,344			931,714			904,489			935,970
Earning assets		1,477,256			1,258,583			1,425,990			1,181,237			1,271,764
Assets		1,563,570			1,360,408			1,510,789			1,278,673			1,365,642
Deposits		1,370,159			1,104,394			1,319,755			1,038,839			1,115,019
Shareholders' equity		141,167			134,803			142,566			135,775			141,287

SELECTED KEY DATA:
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)		3.20	%		3.48	%		3.26	%		3.79	%		3.52	%
Return on average assets		1.18	%		0.76	%		1.17	%		0.78	%		0.83	%
Return on average shareholders' equity		13.11	%		7.64	%		12.36	%		7.30	%		8.04	%
Average shareholders' equity to total average assets		9.03	%		9.91	%		9.44	%		9.91	%		9.89	%

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
Balance, beginning of period	$	9,532		$	8,112		$	9,908		$	6,680		$	6,680
Provision for (Recovery of) loan losses		(226	)		1,417			(681	)		2,938			4,259
Charge-offs		(151	)		(168	)		(236	)		(378	)		(1,414	)
Recoveries		132			72			296			193			383
Balance, end of period	$	9,287		$	9,433		$	9,287		$	9,433		$	9,908


	June 30, 2021			June 30, 2020			December 31, 2020
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Audited)
ASSET QUALITY:
Non-accrual loans	$	3,378		$	3,999		$	3,758
90 days past due and still accruing		-			-			-
Other real estate owned		-			-			128
Total non-performing assets	$	3,378		$	3,999		$	3,886
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.21	%		0.28	%		0.27	%
Loans modifications related to COVID-19	$	283		$	120,569		$	18,246
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets		274.93	%		235.88	%		254.97	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans		1.05	%		0.98	%		1.04	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding PPP loans		1.09	%		1.09	%		1.14	%

LOAN RISK GRADE ANALYSIS:
Percentage of loans by risk grade

Risk Grade 1 (excellent quality)	0.63	%	1.58	%	1.18	%
Risk Grade 2 (high quality)	19.16	%	21.64	%	20.45	%
Risk Grade 3 (good quality)	68.78	%	65.35	%	65.70	%
Risk Grade 4 (management attention)	8.68	%	9.39	%	9.75	%
Risk Grade 5 (watch)	1.97	%	1.26	%	2.20	%
Risk Grade 6 (substandard)	0.78	%	0.78	%	0.72	%
Risk Grade 7 (doubtful)	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%
Risk Grade 8 (loss)	0.00	%	0.00	%	0.00	%

At June 30, 2021, including non-accrual loans, there were three relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Watch risk grade (which totaled $8.3 million). There were no relationships exceeding $1.0 million in the Substandard risk grade.

SOURCE: Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/655719/Peoples-Bancorp-Announces-Second-Quarter-Earnings-Results

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