Exhibit 99.1
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC. REPORTS 38% INCREASE
IN FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS;
TOTAL ASSETS NOW EXCEED $1 BILLION
Englewood Cliffs, N.J., April 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNOB) (the “Company” or “ConnectOne”), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income available to common shareholders of $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2013, representing a 37.7% increase from $1.7 million earned during the first quarter of 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.56 for the first quarter of 2013, reflecting the Company’s February 2013 initial public offering and issuance of 1.8 million shares of common stock, compared to $0.62 for the first quarter of 2012, which included $0.1 million of preferred dividends. All shares of preferred were converted into common in 2012 and have no impact on 2013 results.
Highlights for the quarter included:
| · | On February 12, 2013 the Company became a publicly traded bank holding company. Through the initial public offering, we issued 1.8 million shares at a price of $28 per share, raising net proceeds of $47.8 million. It was the first successful IPO of a U.S. commercial bank since 2011. |
| · | The Company’s total assets surpassed the $1 billion milestone. Total loans receivable now exceed $900 million. |
| · | Loans and deposits grew by 30.5% and 27.7%, respectively, year-over-year and by 24.7% and 15.5%, respectively, on an annualized sequential basis from year-end 2012. |
| · | Tangible book value per share increased to $24.33 per share. |
| · | The Company’s capital was strengthened significantly as a result of the aforementioned initial public offering. Tangible common equity ratio was 12.15% at March 31, 2013, up from 7.76% at year-end 2012 and 5.50% one year ago. |
| · | Total nonperforming assets (which include nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned) declined from year-end 2012 by 5.3% to $7.9 million at the end of the first quarter 2013. The nonperforming asset ratio improved to 0.79% at March 31, 2013 from 0.90% at year-end 2012. |
| · | Despite continued margin compression affecting the entire banking industry, the Company’s net interest margin remained above 4% for the first quarter 2013. |
| · | The Company is well-positioned to fund a solid loan pipeline at quarter-end with $76.4 million in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet. |
| · | The Company was selected by SNL Financial as the 12th best performing community bank for 2012 in the U.S. (out of more than 750 commercial banks with assets between $500 million and $5 billion). |
Frank Sorrentino III, Chairman and CEO of ConnectOne stated, “We are extremely pleased with our solid operating performance this quarter, our first as a public company. Our track record of sustained organic growth established since we opened our doors for business in 2005 has continued at an impressive pace. Driven by the strength of our franchise, we produced strong year-over-year and sequential growth in both loans and deposits. Our profitability remains strong and our nonperforming assets ratio declined to 0.79%.” Mr. Sorrentino continued, “I would also like to welcome all the new institutional and retail investors that purchased shares in our recent offering. We are committed to keeping “connected” with you and all our shareholders by providing detailed and timely financial information and will continue to be focused on enhancing the value of our franchise.”
Earnings
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $9.4 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 21.2%, from the year ago quarter. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, which grew by 28.8% to $950.2 million, and was partially offset by a 21 basis points contraction in the net interest margin, from 4.22% in the first quarter of 2012 to 4.01% in the first quarter of 2013. Average total loans increased by 30.1% to $873.6 million in the first quarter of 2013 from the prior year period. The Bank’s net interest income has continued to increase despite margin compression resulting from the maturity, prepayment or contractual repricing of loans and securities in this extended period of low interest rates.
Non-interest income represents a relatively small portion of the Bank’s total revenue as management has made a strategic decision to de-emphasize fee income, focusing instead on customer growth and retention. Noninterest income totaled $259,000 for the current quarter, up slightly from $245,000 in the prior year quarter. Growth in service and card-related fees were partially offset by a decline in residential mortgage income.
Driven by the expansion of ConnectOne’s geographic reach and infrastructure, operating expenses have increased significantly since inception of the Bank. However, the rate of organic balance sheet growth continues to exceed the rate of expense growth. Non-interest expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 14.3%, to $4.7 million in the first quarter 2013 from $4.1 million in the prior year first quarter.The largest factor contributing to the increase was salaries and employee benefits expense, which increased by $0.4 million to $2.5 million in the first quarter 2013 from $2.1 million in first quarter 2012. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of full-time employees. Also contributing to higher noninterest expenses were increased costs associated with being a publicly-traded entity and a general increase in other operating expenses related to a significantly increased volume of business. Management continues to focus on expense control, balancing its investment in infrastructure with prudent and sustainable growth. The Company’s efficiency ratio improved to 49.2% in the first quarter of 2013 from 51.9% in the first quarter of 2012.
Income tax expense was $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 versus $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The effective tax rate, which is derived from both federal and New Jersey statutory income tax rates, is approximately 41% for 2013, an increase from 40% for 2012, as the Company’s growth and increase in earnings has placed it into the 35% federal bracket. Management has thus far taken a conservative approach to the Company’s tax position and is currently exploring various strategies to maximize the tax efficiency of operations.
Financial Condition
At March 31, 2013, total assets were $1.0 billion, a $75.8 million increase from December 31, 2012. The increase in total assets was due largely to a $52.4 million increase in loans receivable, reflecting growth in commercial, commercial real estate, and residential real estate loan portfolio classes. Also contributing to growth in total assets was a $25.9 million increase in interest-bearing deposits with banks. The growth in assets was funded by a $29.8 million increase in deposits and $47.8 million in net proceeds from our aforementioned equity offering.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming assets totaled $7.9 million, or 0.79% of total assets, at March 31, 2013, down from $8.4 million, or 0.90% of total assets, at year-end 2012. The allowance for loan losses was $13.6 million, representing 1.51% of loans receivable and 181.9% of nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2013. At year-end 2012, the allowance was $13.2 million representing 1.56% of loan receivable and 166.8% of nonaccrual loans. There were $0.5 million in net charge-offs recorded during the first quarter of 2013, representing an annualized rate of 0.25%.
Capital
Stockholders’ equity totaled $122.4 million as of March 31, 2013, an increase of $50.0 million from $72.4 million as of year-end 2012, due primarily to the Company’s first quarter IPO. As of March 31, 2013, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 12.15% and $24.33, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 7.76% and $22.77, respectively.
About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.:
ConnectOne (Nasdaq: CNOB) is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that was formed in 2008 to serve as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank (“the Bank”). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its seven other banking offices.
For more information visit https://www.connectonebank.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, and changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
ConnectOneBancorp, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
| | March 31,
2013
(unaudited) | | | December 31,
2012
(audited) | |
| Assets | | | | | | |
| Cash and due from banks | | $ | 3,119 | | | $ | 3,242 | |
| Interest-bearing deposits with banks | | | 73,238 | | | | 47,387 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | | 76,357 | | | | 50,629 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Securities available for sale | | | 17,565 | | | | 19,252 | |
| Securities held to maturity, fair value of $1,767 at 2013 and $2,084 at 2012 | | | 1,680 | | | | 1,985 | |
| Loans held for sale | | | 285 | | | | 405 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Loans receivable | | | 901,286 | | | | 848,842 | |
| Less: Allowance for loan losses | | | (13,637 | ) | | | (13,246 | ) |
| Net loans receivable | | | 887,649 | | | | 835,596 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Investment in restricted stock, at cost | | | 4,516 | | | | 4,744 | |
| Bank premises and equipment, net | | | 8,308 | | | | 7,904 | |
| Accrued interest receivable | | | 3,518 | | | | 3,361 | |
| Other real estate owned | | | 433 | | | | 433 | |
| Goodwill | | | 260 | | | | 260 | |
| Other assets | | | 5,200 | | | | 5,357 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 1,005,771 | | | $ | 929,926 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
| Deposits | | | | | | | | |
| Noninterest-bearing | | $ | 167,998 | | | $ | 170,355 | |
| Interest-bearing | | | 631,080 | | | | 598,963 | |
| Total deposits | | | 799,078 | | | | 769,318 | |
| Long-term borrowings | | | 74,406 | | | | 79,568 | |
| Accrued interest payable | | | 2,677 | | | | 2,803 | |
| Capital lease obligation | | | 3,167 | | | | 3,185 | |
| Other liabilities | | | 4,004 | | | | 2,690 | |
| Total liabilities | | | 883,332 | | | | 857,564 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares at March 31, 2013
and December 31, 2012; issued and outstanding 5,021,142 at March 31, 2013
and 3,166,217 at December 31, 2012 | | | 99,019 | | | | 51,205 | |
| Retained earnings | | | 22,997 | | | | 20,661 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 423 | | | | 496 | |
| Total stockholders’ equity | | | 122,439 | | | | 72,362 | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 1,005,771 | | | $ | 929,926 | |
ConnectOneBancorp, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
| Interest income | | | | | | | | |
| Loans receivable, including fees | | $ | 10,696 | | | $ | 9,006 | |
| Securities | | | 195 | | | | 281 | |
| Other interest income | | | 21 | | | | 17 | |
| Total interest income | | | 10,912 | | | | 9,304 | |
| Interest expense | | | | | | | | |
| Deposits | | | 1,146 | | | | 1,196 | |
| Long-term borrowings | | | 334 | | | | 316 | |
| Capital lease | | | 48 | | | | 49 | |
| Total interest expense | | | 1,528 | | | | 1,561 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income | | | 9,384 | | | | 7,743 | |
| Provision for loan losses | | | 925 | | | | 750 | |
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | | | 8,459 | | | | 6,993 | |
| Non-interest income | | | | | | | | |
| Service fees | | | 100 | | | | 90 | |
| Gains on sales of loans | | | 83 | | | | 98 | |
| Gains on sales of securities | | | — | | | | — | |
| Other income | | | 76 | | | | 57 | |
| Total non-interest income | | | 259 | | | | 245 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Non-interest expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Salaries and employee benefits | | | 2,480 | | | | 2,095 | |
| Occupancy and equipment | | | 729 | | | | 724 | |
| Professional fees | | | 271 | | | | 207 | |
| Advertising and promotion | | | 103 | | | | 79 | |
| Data processing | | | 447 | | | | 408 | |
| Other expenses | | | 711 | | | | 635 | |
| Total non-interest expenses | | | 4,741 | | | | 4,148 | |
| Income before income tax expense | | | 3,977 | | | | 3,090 | |
| Income tax expense | | | 1,641 | | | | 1,248 | |
| Net income | | | 2,336 | | | | 1,842 | |
| Dividends on preferred shares | | | — | | | | 146 | |
| Net income available to common stockholders | | $ | 2,336 | | | $ | 1,696 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | $ | 0.58 | | | $ | 0.76 | |
| Diluted | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.62 | |
| Weighted average common shares outsanding: | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | | 4,055,908 | | | | 2,243,740 | |
| Diluted | | | 4,178,214 | | | | 2,977,879 | |
ConnectOneBancorp, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | Three Months Ended | |
| | | March 31, | | | December 31, | | | March 31, | |
| | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2012 | |
| Performance ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Return on average assets | | | 0.99 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 0.99 | % |
| Return on average stockholders’ equity | | | 9.77 | % | | | 12.70 | % | | | 12.80 | % |
| Net interest margin | | | 4.01 | % | | | 4.07 | % | | | 4.22 | % |
| Efficiency ratio (1) | | | 49.2 | % | | | 47.6 | % | | | 51.9 | % |
| | | As of | |
| | | March 31, | | | December 31, | | | March 31, | |
| | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2012 | |
| Capital ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Leverage ratio | | | 12.74 | % | | | 7.84 | % | | | 8.50 | % |
| Risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio | | | 14.18 | % | | | 9.26 | % | | | 10.27 | % |
| Risk-based total capital ratio | | | 15.43 | % | | | 10.52 | % | | | 11.52 | % |
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets | | | 12.15 | % | | | 7.76 | % | | | 5.50 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Annualized net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans | | | 0.25 | % | | | 0.05 | % | | | 0.01 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Tangible book value per common share | | $ | 24.33 | | | $ | 22.77 | | | $ | 18.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset Quality: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nonaccrual loans | | $ | 7,498 | | | $ | 7,939 | | | $ | 6,409 | |
| Other real estate owned | | | 433 | | | | 433 | | | | — | |
| Total non-performing assets | | $ | 7,931 | | | $ | 8,372 | | | $ | 6,409 | |
| Performing troubled debt restructured loans | | $ | 2,996 | | | $ | 2,996 | | | $ | 4,732 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nonaccrual loans as a % of loans receivable | | | 0.83 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.93 | % |
| Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets | | | 0.79 | % | | | 0.90 | % | | | 0.84 | % |
| Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans receivable | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.56 | % | | | 1.51 | % |
| Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonaccrual loans | | | 181.9 | % | | | 166.8 | % | | | 162.0 | % |
(1) Efficiency ratio is not a measure recognized under generally accepted accounting principles and is defined as total non-interest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income (excluding securities gains/(losses)).
ConnectOneBancorp, Inc.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(dollars in thousands)
| | | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | | March 31, 2013 | | | March 31, 2012 | |
| | Average
Balance | | | Interest | | | Average
Rate (5) | | | Average
Balance | | | Interest | | | Average
Rate (5) | |
| Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment securities (1) | | $ | 25,216 | | | $ | 195 | | | | 3.14 | % | | $ | 35,335 | | | $ | 281 | | | | 3.20 | % |
| Loans receivable (2) (3) | | | 873,557 | | | | 10,696 | | | | 4.97 | % | | | 671,395 | | | | 9,006 | | | | 5.40 | % |
| Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks | | | 51,431 | | | | 21 | | | | 0.17 | % | | | 30,821 | | | | 17 | | | | 0.22 | % |
| Total interest-earning assets | | | 950,204 | | | | 10,912 | | | | 4.66 | % | | | 737,551 | | | | 9,304 | | | | 5.07 | % |
| Allowance for loan losses | | | (13,545 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (9,899 | ) | | | | | | | | |
| Non-interest earning assets | | | 19,364 | | | | | | | | | | | | 22,467 | | | | | | | | | |
| Total assets | | $ | 956,023 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 750,119 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Savings, NOW, Money Market, Interest Checking | | $ | 329,906 | | | | 259 | | | | 0.32 | % | | $ | 309,094 | | | | 421 | | | | 0.55 | % |
| Time deposits | | | 277,882 | | | | 887 | | | | 1.29 | % | | | 185,771 | | | | 775 | | | | 1.68 | % |
| Total interest-bearing deposits | | | 607,788 | | | | 1,146 | | | | 0.76 | % | | | 494,865 | | | | 1,196 | | | | 0.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Borrowings | | | 76,019 | | | | 334 | | | | 1.78 | % | | | 72,294 | | | | 316 | | | | 1.76 | % |
| Capital lease obligation | | | 3,172 | | | | 48 | | | | 6.14 | % | | | 3,251 | | | | 49 | | | | 6.06 | % |
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 686,979 | | | | 1,528 | | | | 0.90 | % | | | 570,410 | | | | 1,561 | | | | 1.10 | % |
| Noninterest-bearing deposits | | | 164,403 | | | | | | | | | | | | 118,063 | | | | | | | | | |
| Other liabilities | | | 7,706 | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,755 | | | | | | | | | |
| Stockholders’ equity | | | 96,935 | | | | | | | | | | | | 57,891 | | | | | | | | | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 956,023 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 750,119 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest income/interest rate spread | | | | | | $ | 9,384 | | | | 3.76 | % | | | | | | $ | 7,743 | | | | 3.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net interest margin (4) | | | | | | | | | | | 4.01 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 4.22 | % |
(1) Average balances are calculated on amortized cost.
(2) Includes loan fee income.
(3) Loans receivable include non-accrual loans.
(4) Represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(5) Rates are annualized.
Investor Contact:
William S. Burns
Executive VP & CFO
201.816.4474; bburns@cnob.com
Media Contact:
Rachel Gerber, MWW
646.215.6889; rgerber@mww.com
