Exhibit 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
Contacts:
Patrick L. Alexander
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mark A. Herpich
Chief Financial Officer
(785) 565-2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008
Landmark Bancorp, Inc. Announces Earnings for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2007 and Declares a Cash Dividend
(Manhattan, KS, January 29, 2008) Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: LARK), a bank holding company based in Manhattan, Kansas, reported diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 of $0.56 versus $0.62 for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. Net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 were $1.4 million, a decrease of $163,000 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $2.20 versus $2.44 for 2006. Net earnings for 2007 were $5.4 million, a decrease of $608,000 compared to 2006. Gains on sale of certain assets net of losses on sale of investments included in the results for 2006 accounted for $0.07 of the decline in diluted earnings per share, or $169,000. Additionally, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of 19 cents per share, which will be paid on February 18, 2008 to stockholders of record as of February 6, 2008.
Patrick L. Alexander, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our financial results for the fourth quarter declined from 2006 primarily due to decreases in net interest income, while our earnings for the year 2007 declined from 2006 primarily due to decreases in both net interest income and non-interest income. The most significant component of the decline in non-interest income resulted from the sale of our previous headquarters at 800 Poyntz during the second quarter of 2006 and the resultant $630,000 gain on the sale. This gain was partially offset with losses on sale of investments during the second quarter of 2006 as we restructured our investment portfolio. We are pleased that continued commercial and commercial real estate loan originations led to an increase of $21.6 million of outstanding loan balances in these categories at December 31, 2007 compared to December 31, 2006. This increase helped to offset a $24.8 million decrease in one-to-four family residential loans over the same period, as we continue our strategy of increasing the proportion of commercial and commercial real estate loans in our portfolio. The transition of our loan mix, coupled with the restructuring of our investment portfolio in 2006 to include additional tax exempt municipal securities, has helped us offset the
continued increase in our cost of deposits. However, competitive pressures are not allowing us to increase loan rates as fast as our cost of deposits has increased. This has caused our net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, to decline to 3.47% for 2007 from 3.62% for 2006.”
Alexander further commented, “We continue to focus on increasing our volume of loans and deposits while controlling non-interest expense and increasing non-interest income. The economic environment remains challenging with slowing activity in the real estate sector and stiff competition. We believe that the recent reduction in the federal funds rate and steepening of the yield curve will ultimately alleviate some of our margin compression. As evidenced by our fourth quarter results, we are pleased that our efforts to reduce non-interest expense more than offset the reduction in non-interest income. We are intensifying our efforts to increase non-interest income to further reduce our reliance upon net interest income. Despite the overall weakening of the housing market regarding both market-wide sales volume and mortgage defaults, we have been pleased with our level of residential mortgage loan originations. We continue to sell the vast majority of these originations to the secondary market versus retaining them in portfolio. While we have not been completely immune to adverse market trends in the residential real estate market we are pleased to note that we have always focused on originating real estate loans that conform to secondary market standards. This has allowed us to escape many of the problems now being encountered by institutions that have not had a similar focus.”
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased $585,000 to $4.3 million as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006, a decrease of 12.1%. On a tax equivalent basis, the net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 declined by $522,000. This decline in net interest income was due primarily to the increases in our cost of funding outpacing the increases in our yields on interest earning assets, which resulted in our net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, declining to 3.34% from 3.75% for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Also contributing to the decline was the increased level of loans placed on non-accrual during the fourth quarter of 2007. Total non-interest income decreased slightly to $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 from $1.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Total non-interest expense for the quarter decreased $415,000, or 9.1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. The largest contributors to this reduction in non-interest expense were $306,000 in compensation and benefits and $51,000 in professional fees. The effective tax rate of 10.8% for the fourth quarter of 2007 was lower than the 14.2% for the same period of 2006, primarily because of our increase in non-taxable income related to tax exempt municipal investments comprising a larger part of our pre-tax income in 2007 than 2006.
Net interest income for the year 2007 decreased $1.1 million to $17.7 million as compared to 2006, a decrease of 5.7%. In comparison, on a tax equivalent basis, net interest income declined $701,000 from 2006 compared to 2007. This decline in net interest income was due primarily to the increase in our cost of funding outpacing the increase in our yield on interest earning assets, which resulted in our net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, declining to 3.47% from 3.62% for 2007 and 2006, respectively. Total non-interest income decreased to $5.9 million for 2007 from $6.9 million for 2006, a decrease of $998,000. This decrease in 2007 was primarily the result of certain items recognized during 2006, including $717,000 in gains on the sale of certain assets, primarily the 800 Poyntz facility. These gains were partially offset by $444,000 in losses on sale of investments as we restructured our investment portfolio by selling lower yielding, shorter-term investments and purchasing higher yielding, longer-term
investments during the second quarter of 2006. Furthering this decline was a decrease in gains on sale of loans of $185,000, or 16.2%, while deposit related income remained stable, declining by $3,000. Additionally, we recognized a $144,000 gain on sale of investments during the first quarter of 2006. Total non-interest expense for 2007 decreased $706,000, or 4.1%, compared to 2006. The effective tax rate of 19.4% for 2007 was lower than the 25.7% for the same period in 2006, primarily because of our increase in non-taxable income related to bank owned life insurance and tax exempt municipal investments.
Landmark Bancorp’s total assets increased to $606.5 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $590.6 million at December 31, 2006. Net loans receivable were $377.9 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $380.7 million at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2007, the allowance for loan losses was $4.2 million, or 1.1% of gross loans outstanding, compared to $4.0 million, or 1.1% of gross loans outstanding at December 31, 2006. Loans past due more than a month totaled $11.9 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $7.3 million at December 31, 2006. Loans past due more than a month and still accruing interest at December 31, 2007, totaled $1.8 million. At December 31, 2007, $10.0 million in loans were on non-accrual status, or 2.6% of total loans, compared to a balance of $3.6 million in loans on non-accrual status, or 0.9% of total loans, at December 31, 2006. This increase was primarily related to four construction loan relationships totaling $5.1 million at December 31, 2007. One of these relationships totaling $2.4 million was collected in January of 2008. Net loan charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $113,000 compared to $248,000 for the comparable period of 2006.
Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Landmark National Bank. Landmark National Bank has branches in Manhattan (2), Auburn, Dodge City (2), Fort Scott, Garden City, Great Bend (2), Hoisington, Junction City, LaCrosse, Lawrence, Louisburg, Osage City, Osawatomie, Paola, Topeka (2) and Wamego, Kansas.
Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.
A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (iii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) the economic impact of armed conflict or terrorist acts involving the United States; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (x) changes in accounting policies and practices. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited):
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| At December 31, |
| At December 31, |
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ASSETS |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | 14,739,148 |
| $ | 14,751,914 |
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Investment securities available for sale |
| 164,724,181 |
| 145,884,168 |
| ||
Loans receivable, net (1) |
| 377,880,295 |
| 380,688,055 |
| ||
Premises and equipment, net |
| 14,259,172 |
| 13,767,075 |
| ||
Goodwill |
| 12,894,167 |
| 13,009,167 |
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Other intangible assets, net |
| 3,144,001 |
| 4,030,709 |
| ||
Bank owned life insurance |
| 11,634,535 |
| 11,144,796 |
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Other assets |
| 7,179,224 |
| 7,292,352 |
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TOTAL ASSETS |
| $ | 606,454,723 |
| $ | 590,568,236 |
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LIABILITIES |
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Deposits |
| $ | 452,652,306 |
| $ | 444,485,370 |
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Other borrowings |
| 93,088,079 |
| 90,416,064 |
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Other liabilities |
| 8,418,200 |
| 6,430,787 |
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Total liabilities |
| 554,158,585 |
| 541,332,221 |
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Stockholders’ equity |
| 52,296,138 |
| 49,236,015 |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
| $ | 606,454,723 |
| $ | 590,568,236 |
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(1) |
| Loans receivable are presented net of undisbursed loan funds, unearned fees and |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (unaudited):
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| Year ended December 31, |
| Three months ended December 31, |
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| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
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Interest income: |
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Loans |
| $ | 28,464,807 |
| $ | 28,293,941 |
| $ | 6,829,557 |
| $ | 7,488,773 |
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Investment securities |
| 7,020,219 |
| 5,962,064 |
| 1,772,384 |
| 1,573,919 |
| ||||
Other |
| 66,063 |
| 138,436 |
| 30,632 |
| 10,705 |
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Total interest income |
| 35,551,089 |
| 34,394,441 |
| 8,632,573 |
| 9,073,397 |
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Interest expense: |
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Deposits |
| 13,505,636 |
| 10,947,064 |
| 3,387,896 |
| 3,055,199 |
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Borrowed funds |
| 4,362,576 |
| 4,691,820 |
| 988,367 |
| 1,177,295 |
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Total interest expense |
| 17,868,212 |
| 15,638,884 |
| 4,376,263 |
| 4,232,494 |
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Net interest income |
| 17,682,877 |
| 18,755,557 |
| 4,256,310 |
| 4,840,903 |
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Provision for loan losses |
| 255,000 |
| 235,000 |
| 60,000 |
| 80,000 |
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Net interest income after provision for loan losses |
| 17,427,877 |
| 18,520,557 |
| 4,196,310 |
| 4,760,903 |
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Non-interest income: |
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Fees and service charges |
| 4,004,770 |
| 4,310,495 |
| 1,045,860 |
| 1,050,933 |
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Gains on sale of loans |
| 955,289 |
| 1,140,511 |
| 215,220 |
| 207,093 |
| ||||
Losses on sale of investments, net |
| — |
| (300,256 | ) | — |
| — |
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Gains on sale of other assets, net |
| — |
| 716,815 |
| — |
| — |
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Bank owned life insurance income |
| 473,682 |
| 397,720 |
| 126,247 |
| 125,547 |
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Other |
| 481,893 |
| 647,862 |
| 109,631 |
| 213,631 |
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Total non-interest income |
| 5,915,634 |
| 6,913,147 |
| 1,496,958 |
| 1,597,204 |
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Non-interest expense: |
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Compensation and benefits |
| 8,226,676 |
| 8,725,051 |
| 2,029,991 |
| 2,336,234 |
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Occupancy and equipment |
| 2,860,629 |
| 2,822,695 |
| 813,777 |
| 721,150 |
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Amortization of intangibles |
| 915,503 |
| 1,029,424 |
| 217,147 |
| 246,520 |
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Data processing |
| 751,010 |
| 724,542 |
| 160,928 |
| 191,857 |
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Professional fees |
| 437,335 |
| 497,972 |
| 103,892 |
| 155,166 |
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Advertising |
| 415,020 |
| 433,997 |
| 93,028 |
| 106,195 |
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Other |
| 3,032,191 |
| 3,110,927 |
| 742,975 |
| 819,908 |
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Total non-interest expense |
| 16,638,364 |
| 17,344,608 |
| 4,161,738 |
| 4,577,030 |
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Earnings before income taxes |
| 6,705,147 |
| 8,089,096 |
| 1,531,530 |
| 1,781,077 |
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Income tax expense |
| 1,303,083 |
| 2,079,455 |
| 165,255 |
| 252,087 |
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Net earnings |
| $ | 5,402,064 |
| $ | 6,009,641 |
| $ | 1,366,275 |
| $ | 1,528,990 |
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Net earnings per share (2) |
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Basic |
| $ | 2.22 |
| $ | 2.45 |
| $ | 0.57 |
| $ | 0.62 |
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Diluted |
| 2.20 |
| 2.44 |
| 0.56 |
| 0.62 |
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Book value per share (2) |
| $ | 21.78 |
| $ | 20.09 |
| $ | 21.78 |
| $ | 20.09 |
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Shares outstanding at end of period |
| 2,401,362 |
| 2,451,228 |
| 2,401,362 |
| 2,451,228 |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic |
| 2,431,881 |
| 2,454,683 |
| 2,412,243 |
| 2,454,637 |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted |
| 2,449,981 |
| 2,466,934 |
| 2,427,859 |
| 2,470,643 |
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(2) |
| Net earnings per share and book value per share at or for the periods ended December 31, 2006 |
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| have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2007. |
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| Year ended December 31, |
| Three months ended December 31, |
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OTHER DATA (unaudited): |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
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Return on average assets (3) |
| 0.90 | % | 1.01 | % | 0.91 | % | 1.02 | % |
Return on average equity (3) |
| 10.78 | % | 13.01 | % | 10.55 | % | 12.42 | % |
Equity to total assets |
| 8.62 | % | 8.34 | % | 8.62 | % | 8.34 | % |
Net interest margin (3) (4) |
| 3.47 | % | 3.62 | % | 3.34 | % | 3.75 | % |
(3) |
| Information for the three months ended is annualized. |
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(4) |
| Net interest margin is presented on a full taxable equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate. |
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