TIMBERVILLE, VA / ACCESSWIRE / October 28, 2021 / F & M Bank Corp. (OTCQX:FMBM), parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank today reported net income available to common shareholders of $2.2 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.68 for the quarter ending September 30, 2021.

Selected financial highlights include:

• Net income of $2.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, and $9.2 million year to date.
• Net interest margin of 2.95% for the quarter ended September 20, 2021, and 3.15% year to date.
• Total deposits increased $74.9 million and $236.7 million, respectively for the quarter and for the trailing 12 months as the bank continues to grow our composition of DDA accounts and decrease balances of Time Deposits.
• Total loans increased $7.5 million (1.18%) and $34.7 (5.69%) million, respectively for the quarter and for the trailing 12 months (excluding PPP loans).
• Nonperforming assets decreased to 0.46% of total assets at the end of the quarter from 0.68% on 12/31/20.
• Negative Provision for Loan Losses of $235,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and $2,210,000 year to date.
• Allowance for loan losses totaled 1.28% of loans held for investment (1.30% excluding PPP loans).

Balance Sheet

The Company has experienced significant deposit growth during the quarter and the trailing 12 months resulting in growth in our investment portfolio and reduction of debt.

The investment portfolio has grown to a balance of $281 million at the quarter ended September 30, 2021, which reflects growth of $164.1 million since December 31, 2020. The portfolio is a strong mix of U.S. Treasuries, Agencies, Municipals, Corporate bonds and other investments.

Loans held for investment; net of PPP has grown $18.3 million since December 31, 2021. The Agriculture, C&I, CRE and dealer portfolios have experienced growth throughout the quarter and year to date, while the Company has seen a reduction in 1-4 family during this low-rate environment.

The Company prepaid several long-term FHLB borrowings with excess funds to leverage our liquidity and reduce our cost of funds in future periods. Long-term debt has been paid down $11.3 million year to date.

These strategies have positioned F&M for future growth in our current footprint as we continue to evaluate opportunities for expansion into other markets in the future.

Income Statement

Earnings are driven by growth in net interest income, growth in non-interest income due to our subsidiary organizations, improved asset quality and economic conditions and fees earned under the Paycheck Protection Program.

Net interest income reflects year over year growth. As yields on earning assets continue to decline the Company has been able to support net interest income with savings in interest expense and growth in the investment portfolio while seeking opportunities to leverage the growth in liquidity into higher yielding assets.

Noninterest income remained strong in the third quarter at $9.4 million. Year to date this reflects an increase over September 30, 2020, which totaled $9.0 million. Growth is primarily driven by continued high volumes of mortgage originations, growth in our wealth management division, and title division.

Continued improvements in asset quality and economic conditions resulted in the ability to reduce the allowance for loan losses to 1.28% of loans held for investment (1.30% excluding PPP loans) which was accretive to income $2.21 million year to date or $235 thousand in the 3^rd quarter.

The Company processed 1,080 Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") & CARES Act loans during 2020 and 2021 totaling $87.1 million. Fees associated with these loans are amortized over the life of the loan or recognized fully when repaid or forgiven. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized $534,000 PPP fees and $1.89 million year to date.

Mark Hanna, President, commented "We are pleased with September 30, 2021, year to date earnings of $9.2 million. We continue to see strong performance from our mortgage, title, and wealth management divisions as reflected in our strong noninterest income. Loan growth in Agriculture, C&I, CRE, and Dealer have driven our results in a generally tepid lending environment. As reflected in our deposit growth of 50% over the last 18-24 months, F&M continues to gain relationships in our legacy and new markets adding to an already highly liquid balance sheet as the bank implements strategic solutions to leverage these assets."

On October 21, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a second quarter dividend of $.26 per share to common shareholders. Based on our most recent trade price of $28.85 per share this constitutes a 3.60% yield on an annualized basis. The dividend will be paid on November 29, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 14, 2021."

On September 1, 2021, the Company gave notice to our Preferred shareholders that we would redeem all Series A Preferred Stock on October 29, 2021. These transactions will be reflected in fourth quarter financial information.

F & M Bank Corp. is an independent, locally owned, financial holding company, offering a full range of financial services, through its subsidiary, Farmers & Merchants Bank's twelve banking offices in Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Augusta Counties, Virginia. The Bank also provides additional services through a loan production office located in Penn Laird, VA, a loan production office in Winchester, VA and through its subsidiaries, F&M Mortgage and VSTitle, both of which are located in Harrisonburg, VA. Additional information may be found by contacting us on the internet at www.fmbankva.com or by calling (540) 896-1705.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal securities laws, which may involve significant risks and uncertainties. These statements address issues that involve risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, and actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory policies, and a variety of other matters. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Readers should consider these risks and uncertainties in evaluating forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update these statements following the date of this press release.

F & M Bank Corp.
Key Statistics

1. The net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by total average earning assets. Tax equivalent interest income is calculated by grossing up interest income for the amounts that are nontaxable (i.e. municipal securities and loan income) then subtracting interest expense. The tax rate utilized is 21%. The Company's net interest margin is a common measure used by the financial service industry to determine how profitable earning assets are funded. Because the Company earns nontaxable interest income from municipal loans and securities, net interest income for the ratio is calculated on a tax equivalent basis as described above.
2. The efficiency ratio is not a measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The efficiency ratio is a common measure used by the financial service industry to determine operating efficiency. It is calculated by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income excluding gains and losses on the investments portfolio and Other Real Estate Owned. The Company calculates this ratio in order to evaluate how efficiently it utilizes its operating structure to create income. An increase in the ratio from period to period indicates the Company is losing a greater percentage of its income to expenses.

F & M Bank Corp.
Financial Highlights

CONTACT:

Carrie Comer EVP/Chief Financial Officer
540-896-1705 or
ccomer@fmbankva.com

SOURCE: F&M Bank Corp