EXHIBIT 99.1
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter Results
FITZGERALD, Ga., April 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBAN), today reported net income of $1,078,000, or $0.11 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2009, down 51.29 percent from first quarter 2008 net income of $2,213,000, or $0.31 per diluted share. The continued downturn of the housing and real estate market that began in 2007 and the economy in general has contributed to financial results well below our historic standards. Challenges in the housing and real estate market continued to have a significant impact on our loan portfolio and earnings in the first quarter. The Company's net income was impacted primarily from increased provisions for loan losses. "Credit quality issues and a slowing economy have created an unprecedented operating environment for the banking industry. Though first quarter earnings are disappointing, our solid core earnings continue to provide strong support for loss provisions needed to cover our problem loan losses. We remain committed to aggre ssively moving through this down economic cycle in a timely and prudent manner," said Al D. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Company continues to closely monitor our real estate dependent loans and focus on asset quality. Non-performing assets increased to $53.1 million, or 5.45 percent of total loans and other real estate owned as of March 31, 2009. This compares to $48.2 million, or 4.95 percent as of December 31, 2008 and $18.2 million, or 1.92 percent as of March 31, 2008. The increase in non-performing assets ties directly to the elevated risk in our residential and land development loan portfolio and has resulted in increased loan loss provisions in 2009 compared to 2008; thus a significant negative impact on our 2009 net income. The first quarter 2009 provision for loan losses were $4,225,000 compared to $1,071,000 for the same period in 2008. Unusually high levels of loan loss provision have been required as company management addresses asset quality deterioration associated with the continued economic downturn.
In the first quarter of 2009 net charge-offs were $2,245,000, or 0.23 percent of average loans as compared to net charge-offs of $1,364,000, or 0.14 percent of average loans in first quarter 2008. The loan loss reserve was $19 million on March 31, 2009, or 1.97 percent of total loans compared to $15.2 million or 1.61 percent on March 31, 2008. Management believes that recent contributions to Allowance for Loan Losses adequately address the increase in non-performing assets and the related increase in classified assets. "While the economy has given little indication of stabilizing, our strategy will be the same to recognize and move problem assets through our process as quickly as possible," said Ross. "We expect problem assets and charge-offs to be elevated above historical levels as we work through our problem assets, but our strong capital position enables us to absorb losses without impairing the company's financial soundness."
Another significant factor negatively impacting earnings has been the reduction of net interest income. Net interest income decreased to $9,060,000 in first quarter 2009 compared to $9,605,000 in first quarter 2008. This reduction ties directly to the aggressive posture taken by Federal Reserve as they lowered interest rates an almost unprecedented 400 basis points during 2008 to combat the downturn in the real estate market and recessionary fears. The significant rate reduction along with the impact of loans being placed on non-accrual status in which interest receivable is reversed and interest accrual discontinued resulted in Colony's net interest margin declining to 3.06 percent in first quarter 2009 compared to 3.44 percent in first quarter 2008. We expect margin improvement in 2009 as we re-price our liabilities in response to the current interest rate environment. Also the Company began efforts during 2008 to establish floors on variable rate loans to minimize the impact of sharp declines in indexes o n which the Company normally sets loan pricing.
On a positive note, noninterest income was boosted significantly during first quarter 2009 as the Company executed a bond swap to restructure its bond portfolio. Colony realized gross gains on the sale of securities of $2,317,000, or after tax income of $1,529,000. The transaction allowed Colony to sell mortgage-backed securities at a gain to build capital to protect against non-performing loans in the loan portfolio; to take advantage of mortgage-backed pricing due to unprecedented market factors; to add exposure to ARM mortgage-backed securities with 2-4 years of lock out before adjustment period; and to better position for a rising rate environment in the future.
During 2008 the Company merged all of its operations into one sole operating subsidiary which allowed the Company to implement operational enhancements. First quarter 2009 noninterest expense was $7,361,000, or a reduction of 5.11 percent from first quarter 2008 noninterest expense of $7,757,000. This improvement was accomplished while at the same time Colony experienced an increase in FDIC insurance assessment to $404 thousand in first quarter 2009 compared to $118 thousand in first quarter 2008 and repossession/foreclosure expense increased to $231 thousand from $44 thousand in the same period.
The Company had total assets of $1,283,005,000, gross loans of $962,822,000, total deposits of $1,011,695,000 and total equity of $109,527,000 at March 31, 2009. Common shareholders' equity to total assets was 6.41 percent at March 31, 2009 compared to 7.26 percent at March 31, 2008.
Colony continues to maintain a strong capital position, which was strengthened by the completion of the sale on January 9, 2009 of $28 million in preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury through its Capital Purchase Program. At March 31, 2009, the company's capital ratios were as follows: Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital of 11.83 percent, Leverage ratio of 9.04 percent and Total Risk-Based Capital of 14.86 percent. Utilization of these funds during first quarter 2009 were new and renewed loan originations totaling $198 million, of which $79 million represented new loan extensions either funded or committed. Also, new mortgage-backed securities purchased during first quarter 2009 resulted in a net increase of mortgage-backed security holdings of approximately $38 million.
During the quarter the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0975 per share compared to $0.0975 declared in first quarter 2008. Though earnings declined from 2008 due to aggressively addressing problem loans during this economic downturn, the capital position of Colony allowed the board to remain comfortable holding the dividend payout at its current level. To be categorized as "well-capitalized" by regulatory requirements, a company must maintain a 10 percent total capital to risk-based assets ratio. At March 31, 2009, Colony remained in excess of the regulatory requirement as its total capital to risk-based assets ratio was 14.86 percent.
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia that consists of one operating subsidiary, Colony Bank. The Company conducts a general full service commercial, consumer and mortgage banking business through thirty offices located in the middle and south Georgia cities of Fitzgerald, Warner Robins, Centerville, Ashburn, Leesburg, Cordele, Albany, Thomaston, Columbus, Sylvester, Tifton, Moultrie, Douglas, Broxton, Savannah, Eastman, Chester, Soperton, Rochelle, Pitts, Quitman and Valdosta, Georgia.
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CBAN".
Certain statements contained in the preceding release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Company's future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statement of plans and objectives of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "targeted" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
COLONY BANKCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE
EARNINGS SUMMARY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net Interest Income $9,060 $9,605 $9,060 $9,605
Provision for Loan Losses 4,225 1,071 4,225 1,071
Non-interest Income 3,962 2,371 3,962 2,371
Non-interest Expense 7,361 7,757 7,361 7,757
Income Taxes 358 935 358 935
Net Income 1,078 2,213 1,078 2,213
Preferred Stock Dividend 315 -- 315 --
Net Income Available to
Common Shareholders 763 2,213 763 2,213
QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE
PER COMMON SHARE SUMMARY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
Common Shares Outstanding 7,231,163 7,216,113 7,231,163 7,216,113
Weighted Average Basic
Shares 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861
Weighted Average Diluted
Shares 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861
Earnings Per Basic Share
(b) $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31
Earnings Per Diluted
Share (b) $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.11
Dividends Declared Per
Share $0.09 $0.09 $0.09 $0.0975
Common Book Value Per
Share $11.38 $11.92 $11.38 $11.92
Tangible Book Value Per
Share $11.00 $11.53 $11.00 $11.53
QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE
OPERATING RATIOS (1) 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net Interest Margin (a) 3.06% 3.44% 3.06% 3.44%
Return on Average Assets
(b) 0.24% 0.74% 0.24% 0.74%
Return on Average Common
Equity (b) 3.63% 10.38% 3.63% 10.38%
Efficiency (c) 68.25% 67.45% 68.25% 67.45%
(1) Annualized
(a) Computed using fully taxable-equivalent net income
(b) Computed using net income available to shareholders
(c) Computed by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of fully
taxable-equivalent net interest income and non-interest income
and excluding any security gains/losses.
QUARTER ENDED
03/31/09 03/31/08
ENDING BALANCES -------- --------
Total Assets $1,283,005 $1,185,226
Loans, Net of Reserves 943,674 927,958
Allowance for Loan Losses 18,996 15,220
Goodwill 2,412 2,412
Intangible Assets 358 393
Deposits 1,011,695 993,556
Common Shareholders' Equity 82,277 86,014
Common Equity to Total Assets 6.41% 7.26%
QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE
AVERAGE BALANCES 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total Assets $1,268,612 $1,190,063 $1,268,612 $1,190,063
Loans, Net of
Reserves 939,326 931,352 939,326 931,352
Deposits 999,172 998,685 999,172 998,685
Common Shareholders'
Equity 84,118 85,260 84,118 85,260
QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE
ASSET QUALITY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
Nonperforming Loans $40,166 $14,438 $40,166 $14,438
Nonperforming Assets 53,130 18,196 53,130 18,196
Net Loan Chg-offs
(Recoveries) 2,245 1,364 2,245 1,364
Reserve for Loan Loss
to Gross Loans 1.97% 1.61% 1.97% 1.61%
Reserve for Loan Loss
to Non-performing
Loans 47.29% 105.42% 47.29% 105.42%
Reserve for Loan Loss
to Non-performing
Assets 35.75% 83.64% 35.75% 83.64%
Net Loan Chg-offs
(Recoveries) to Avg
Gross Loans 0.23% 0.14% 0.23% 0.14%
Nonperforming Loans to
Gross Loans 4.17% 1.53% 4.17% 1.53%
Nonperforming Assets to
Total Assets 4.14% 1.54% 4.14% 1.54%
Nonperforming Assets to
Total Loans And Other
Real Estate 5.45% 1.92% 5.45% 1.92%
Quarterly Comparative Data (in thousands, except per share data)
1Q2009 4Q2008 3Q2008 2Q2008 1Q2008
Assets $1,283,005 $1,252,782 $1,215,330 $1,211,212 $1,185,226
Loans 943,674 943,841 952,504 936,608 927,958
Deposits 1,011,695 1,006,992 977,752 976,322 993,556
Common
Share-
holders'
Equity 82,277 83,215 82,806 83,823 86,014
Net Income 1,078 (670) 194 292 2,213
Net Income
Available
to Common
Shareholders 763 (670) 194 292 2,213
Net Income
Per Share 0.11 (0.09) 0.03 0.04 0.31
Dividends
Declared Per
Share 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975
Key
Performance
Ratios 1Q2009 4Q2008 3Q2008 2Q2008 1Q2008
Return on
Assets (1) 0.24% (0.22)% 0.06% 0.10% 0.74%
Return on
Equity (1) 3.63% (3.25)% 0.93% 1.36% 10.38%
Common
Equity to
Total Assets 6.41% 6.64% 6.81% 6.92% 7.26%
Net Interest
Margin 3.06% 3.18% 3.34% 3.24% 3.44%
(1) Computed using net income available to shareholders
Consolidated Balance Sheets Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
(in thousands)
Mar. 31, Mar. 31,
2009 2008
---------- ----------
(unaudited) (audited)
ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Due from Banks $21,485 $24,457
Federal Funds Sold -- 12,697
21,485 37,154
------ ------
Interest-Bearing Deposits 373 1,279
--- -----
Investment Securities
Available for Sale, at Fair Value 244,549 156,004
Held for Maturity, at Cost (Fair Value of
$64 and $73 as of Mar. 31, 2008 and Mar
31, 2007, Respectively) 62 68
-- --
244,611 156,072
------- -------
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost 6,345 5,395
----- -----
Loans 962,822 943,412
Allowance for Loan Losses (18,996) (15,220)
Unearned Interest and Fees (152) (234)
----- -----
943,674 927,958
------- -------
Premises and Equipment 29,579 28,527
------ ------
Other Real Estate 12,964 3,758
------ -----
Goodwill 2,412 2,412
----- -----
Other Intangible Assets 358 393
--- ---
Other Assets 21,204 22,278
------ ------
Total Assets $1,283,005 $1,185,226
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
Noninterest-Bearing $70,365 $76,600
Interest-Bearing 941,330 916,956
------- -------
1,011,695 993,556
--------- -------
Borrowed Money
Federal Funds Purchased 1,178 2,917
Securities Sold Under Agreements to
Repurchase 40,000 --
Subordinated Debentures 24,229 24,229
Other Borrowed Money 91,000 70,900
------ ------
156,407 98,046
------- ------
Other Liabilities 5,376 7,610
----- -----
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, Par Value $1,000;
Authorized 10,000,000 Shares, Issued 28,000
Shares 27,250 --
Common Stock, Par Value $1; Authorized
20,000,000 Shares, Issued 7,231,163 and
7,216,113 Shares 7,231 7,216
Paid in Capital 25,407 24,601
Retained Earnings 51,326 53,596
Restricted Stock- Unearned Compensation (314) (410)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of
Tax (1,373) 1,011
------- ------
109,527 86,014
------- ------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,283,005 $1,185,226
========== ==========
Consolidated Statements of Income Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
(in thousands except per share data)
Quarter Year-to-Date
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08
-------- -------- -------- --------
(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)
Interest Income
Loans, Including Fees $14,197 $18,351 $14,197 $18,351
Federal Funds Sold 5 155 5 155
Deposits with Other
Banks -- 11 -- 11
Investment Securities
U.S. Government
Agencies 2,047 1,679 2,047 1,679
State, County and
Municipal 88 138 88 138
Corporate Obligations/
Asset-Backed Sec 123 94 123 94
Dividends on Other
Investments -- 84 -- 84
-- -- -- --
16,460 20,512 16,460 20,512
------ ------ ------ ------
Interest Expense
Deposits 6,173 9,672 6,173 9,672
Federal Funds Purchased
and Repurchase
Agreements 232 27 232 27
Borrowed Money 995 1,208 995 1,208
--- ----- --- -----
7,400 10,907 7,400 10,907
----- ------ ----- ------
Net Interest Income 9,060 9,605 9,060 9,605
Provision for Loan
Losses 4,225 1,071 4,225 1,071
----- ----- ----- -----
Net Interest Income
After Provision for
Loan Losses 4,835 8,534 4,835 8,534
----- ----- ----- -----
Noninterest Income
Service Charges on
Deposits 988 1,165 988 1,165
Other Service Charges,
Commissions and Fees 236 254 236 254
Mortgage Fee Income 102 169 102 169
Securities Gains 2,317 570 2,317 570
Other 319 213 319 213
--- --- --- ---
3,962 2,371 3,962 2,371
----- ----- ----- -----
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and Employee
Benefits 3,807 4,403 3,807 4,403
Occupancy and Equipment 1,009 1,007 1,009 1,007
Other 2,545 2,347 2,545 2,347
----- ----- ----- -----
7,361 7,757 7,361 7,757
----- ----- ----- -----
Income Before Income
Taxes 1,436 3,148 1,436 3,148
Income Taxes 358 935 358 935
--- --- --- ---
Net Income $1,078 $2,213 $1,078 $2,213
------ ------ ------ ------
Preferred Stock
Dividends 315 -- 315 --
Net Income Available to
Common Shareholders $763 $2,213 $763 $2,213
==== ====== ==== ======
Net Income Per Share of
Common Stock
Basic $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31
===== ===== ===== =====
Diluted $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31
===== ===== ===== =====
Weighted Average Basic
Shares Outstanding 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted Average Diluted
Shares Outstanding 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861
========= ========= ========= =========
CONTACT: Colony Bankcorp, Inc.
Terry L. Hester, Chief Financial Officer
(229) 426-6002
