Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Reports Record 2020 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Financial Results

ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Feb. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2020 fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

2020 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

• Net income increased 43.5% to a quarterly record of $6.8 million
• Earnings increased 39.5% to a quarterly record of $0.60 per basic and diluted share
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 12.1% to $14.1 million, which included a $1.3 million increase in the provision for loan losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis
• Noninterest income increased 88.5% to $5.6 million, primarily due to strong residential mortgage demand
• A gain on the settlement of a bank-owned life insurance contract (“BOLI”) and interest and fees associated with the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) benefited 2020 fourth quarter after-tax income by $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively
• Efficiency ratio, adjusted for BOLI and PPP benefits, was 56.49%, compared to 63.67%
• Return on average assets adjusted for BOLI and PPP benefits, was 1.14%, compared to 1.18%
• Loans 30 days past due to total loans, excluding COVID related loans, was only 0.29%
• Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.02%, compared to 0.03%
  

2020 Full-Year Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

• Total loans increased 6.9% to $1.303 billion, and included $36.2 million of PPP loans
• Total assets increased 18.8% to a record $1.910 billion
• Total assets managed increased to a record $2.6 billion
• Deposits increased 23.9% to a record $1.596 billion
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 0.7% to $52.8 million, which included a $5.8 million increase in the provision for loan losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis
• Net income increased 9.2% to an annual record of $20.1 million
• Earnings increased 8.4% to an annual record of $1.80 per basic and diluted share
• Book value per share increased 7.6% to $22.25 per share
• Tangible book value per share increased 7.4% to $17.19 per share
• 2020 cash dividend increased 8.2% to $0.66 per share

2020 Operating Highlights Include:

• Created operation hubs to protect the health and safety of the Company’s employees, customers, and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
• Approved $87.8 million in PPP loans, helping nearly 950 small businesses protect over 12,400 jobs
• Donated over $167,000 to local organizations during 2020, a nearly 20% increase from 2019
• Opened new loan production offices in Muncie, IN, Oxford, OH and West Bloomfield, MI
• Completed construction on a new full-service office in FT. Wayne, IN, which is expected to open in Q1 2021
• Announced the acquisition of Ossian Financial Services, Inc., which operates two full-service bank offices in Northeast Indiana and had approximately $122.0 million in assets at September 30, 2020
• Purchased the assets and clients of Adams County Financial Resources, a registered investment advisory firm located in Geneva, IN, with approximately $83.0 million of assets under management at November 30, 2020
• Announced an office realignment program that will consolidate three offices in Ohio and one office in Indiana
• Added talent to both the Company’s senior leadership team and Board of Directors
• Continued to invest in expanding the Company’s digital resources and infrastructure

“Across the board 2020 was a record year for F&M, despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our record results speak to the dedication of our 354 associates throughout our Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan markets and our daily commitment to provide our communities with superior and individual financial services,” stated Lars B. Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, our record performance demonstrates the success of our 2019 strategic plan that is focused on growing earnings and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

“As we look forward to 2021, I am excited to complete the Ossian acquisition, which we believe will be completed during the second quarter. In addition, we plan to finish integrating Adams County Financial Resources during the first quarter, as well as implementing our office realignment strategy, investing in new offices in compelling markets, and expanding our digital offerings throughout 2021. We expect to incur an estimated $2.5 million of one-time expenses associated with these initiatives in 2021. Once fully integrated, we believe the combination of reduced operating expenses and the contribution of additional sources of revenue will provide an approximately $2.1 million benefit to income in 2022 and beyond as we further increase our scale, diversify our revenues, improve our cost structure, and better serve our customers. Over the past two years, we have gained valuable experience integrating prior acquisitions, while we have focused on expanding our leadership team and investing in our infrastructure to support our rapid growth. I look forward to updating our shareholders on the progress we are making throughout 2021,” continued Mr. Eller.   

Income Statement
Net income for the 2020 fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020, was $6.8 million, compared to $4.7 million for the same period last year. Net income per basic and diluted share for the 2020 fourth quarter was $0.60, compared to $0.43 for the same period last year. Net income for the 2020 twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020, was $20.1 million, compared to $18.4 million for the same period last year. Net income per basic and diluted share for the 2020 twelve months was $1.80, compared to $1.66 for the same period last year.

Mr. Eller continued, “Our provision for loan losses increased from $1.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, to $7.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, as we prudently increased our allowance of loan losses primarily associated with the expected economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The increase in our provision for loans losses was successfully offset by higher interest income, successful reductions in our cost of funds, interest and fees earned from the Paycheck Protection Program, a gain on the settlement of a BOLI contract, a 42.0% or $5.0 million year-over-year increase in noninterest income, and controlled noninterest expenses. 2020 was our sixth consecutive year of record earnings, while achieving our lowest efficiency ratio in 16 years.”

Deposits
At December 31, 2020, total deposits were $1.596 billion, an increase of 23.9% from December 31, 2019, and an increase of 5.1% from September 30, 2020. The significant organic deposit growth being experienced is a result of continued strength in expanding relationships with new and existing customers, and the benefits of PPP activity. In addition, we continue to see growing customer preferences to more stable and secure saving instruments as deposits have increased since the COVID-19 crisis began.

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
Total loans, net at December 31, 2020, increased 6.9% to $1.303 billion, compared to $1.219 billion at December 31, 2019. The year-over-year improvement resulted primarily from the contribution of strong organic loan growth. During 2020, the Company processed $51.6 million of PPP loan forgiveness and principal payments received and at December 31, 2020, there were $36.2 million of PPP loans included in F&M’s loan portfolio.

Mr. Eller continued, “Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis, we continue to grow our loan portfolio with high quality customers, reflecting the personal financial services and value we provide our local communities and the recent contribution of our newly opened loan production offices in Muncie, IN, Oxford, OH, and West Bloomfield, MI.”

Mr. Eller continued: “Our loan portfolio remains resilient as loans 30 days past due to total loans, excluding COVID related loans, was only 0.29% as of December 31, 2020. In addition, at year-end there were only five loans totaling $3.6 million of interest only and full deferrals out of 190 loans that had modification of terms due to the COVID-19 crisis during the year. These 190 loans had an overall loan outstanding at year-end of $120 million. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis and the continued impacts the pandemic is having on the global economy, we are proactively monitoring our portfolio’s performance and our approach to risk remains prudent. As a result, we have increased our allowance for loan and lease losses by 89.2% over the past 12 months. Our allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans, adjusted for our PPP balances, is now over 1.20% and includes the $1.7 million credit mark associated with the 2019 Bank of Geneva acquisition.”  

F&M continues to closely monitor its loan portfolio with a particular emphasis on higher risk sectors. Nonperforming loans were $9.4 million or 0.72% of total loans at December 31, 2020, compared to $3.4 million, or 0.28% at December 31, 2019. The year-over-year increase in nonperforming loans is primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the accounting treatment for nonaccrual loans associated with a $5.2 million real-estate secured relationship.

The Bank had 190 loans that received either deferment payments or interest only payments due to the COVID-19 crisis. As of December 31, 2020, there were only five modifications left representing a total of $3.6 million. Of those remaining there were no outstanding full payment deferment loans. Three loans are interest only in the entertainment sector with $1.2 million in total balances with all scheduled for original repayment terms to begin by early April 2021. One office building with a $2.3 million balance with interest only payments will return to payments in May 2021. One restaurant with a $13,000 balance received an interest only modification in December 2020 with payments to resume in March 2021.

F&M’s agriculture portfolio continues to perform well, with a 0.59% past due balance at December 31, 2020. F&M is optimistic trends will remain positive as a result of strong global demand for agricultural products and a favorable commodity price environment expected during 2021. At December 31, 2020, F&M’s $94.4 million agriculture portfolio consisted primarily of row crop and livestock production, with almost no dairy exposure. Agriculture customers are proven farmers with strong balance sheets and 95% of row crop producers utilize crop insurance to mitigate weather and production risks.  At December 31, 2020, approximately 24% of F&M’s agriculture portfolio was within the livestock sector, and approximately 69% of this exposure is to customers that support production but do not have direct livestock ownership. In addition, approximately 40% of F&M’s livestock exposure is for loans with balances under $750,000 and of the borrowers with direct livestock ownership, approximately 55% are not dependent on the income from livestock to manage their debt payments.   Of the $71.5 million of agricultural real estate loans originated in 2020, F&M sold approximately 45% in the secondary market at a premium of $1.2 million, while servicing and maintaining the relationship of these accounts.

Mr. Eller concluded: “As our record financial and operating results demonstrate, we successfully responded to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, while remaining focused on executing our growth-oriented strategic plan. I am very proud of our performance during 2020 and the hard work of all F&M’s associates. Although F&M’s scale has increased, we remain committed to nurturing lasting and personal relationships within our communities throughout the near-term economic challenges and future periods of prosperity.”

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends 
Total stockholders’ equity increased 8.2% to $249.2 million at December 31, 2020, from $230.3 million at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, the Company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.46%, compared to 11.52% at September 30, 2019.

Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $192.5 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $178.3 million at December 31, 2019. The largest change to intangible stockholders’ equity was an increase in accumulated comprehensive income, which increased from $1.098 million as of December 31, 2019, to $5.697 million as of December 31, 2020. On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2020, was $17.19 per share, compared to $16.01 per share at December 31, 2019.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company has declared cash dividends of $0.66 per share, which is an 8.2% increase over the 2019 twelve-month declared dividend payment. F&M is committed to returning capital to shareholders and has increased the annual cash dividend for 26 consecutive years. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the dividend payout ratio was 35.76% compared to 36.59% for the same period last year.

About Farmers & Merchants State Bank:  
The Farmers & Merchants State Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services through its 30 offices. Our locations are in Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Williams, and Wood counties in Northwest Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, and Steuben counties.

Safe harbor statement
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“F&M”) wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes disclosure of financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed by GAAP. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included within this press release.