FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 18, 2006
Contact: Donald F. Holt, EVP/CFO
(717) 920-5801, Fax (717) 920-1683
COMMUNITY CONTINUES POSITIVE EARNINGS TREND
Harrisburg, PA- Community Banks, Inc. (“Community”) (Listed on NASDAQ: CMTY) today reported second quarter net income of $10.5 million, including earnings per share of $0.44, and produced a dramatic improvement over the $(1.1) million loss recorded in the year-earlier period. Results in the second quarter of 2005 had been adversely affected by $8 million in pre-tax merger, conversion, and restructuring expenses that were recorded leading up to the consummation of the Blue Ball Bank merger on July 1 of that year.
Community’s operating footprint, which now boasts assets of $3.4 billion and 73 banking offices, extends throughout the center of Pennsylvania from the Pocono region to just over the Maryland border. Blue Ball operates as a separate division in the attractive Lancaster, Berks and Chester county markets of south-central Pennsylvania. Community Banks, Inc. is the 8th largest financial services holding company headquartered in Pennsylvania and the largest financial institution headquartered in its capital city of Harrisburg.
Quarter-to-quarter net income comparisons of 2006 to 2005 continued to be distorted by the mid-year 2005 merger of Blue Ball Bank. That merger was the largest and most significant in the history of the Community franchise. Under accounting rules, Blue Ball results were consolidated only from the July 1, 2005 merger date forward, and were excluded entirely from results for the first half of 2005, making comparison of 2006 results to those in 2005 far less meaningful. More relevant quarterly comparisons can be derived by using the combined results from the first quarter of 2006 as a baseline, and presenting annualized growth trends from that point forward.
The twelve months ended June 30, 2006 marked the completion of the first full year of blended operations since the combination of Blue Ball into the new Community franchise. In this most recent quarter, earnings improvements were constrained slightly by a series of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve Bank that has restricted revenue growth from traditional spread business. These rate hikes have contributed to a “flattening” of the yield curve and a compression in net interest margins and net interest income growth, the two key metrics for revenue expansion. These interest rate increases have presented earnings challenges throughout the banking industry as rising deposit funding costs have outpaced the improvement from increasing earning asset yields.
“The entire banking industry is feeling a temporary revenue pinch that is a natural outgrowth of a flat yield curve,” said Eddie L. Dunklebarger, President and CEO. “We intend to stay the course and continue to perform all of the basic blocking-and-tackling until interest rate conditions improve. In the meantime, we remain excited by the opportunities provided by our expanding franchise, the stability and vitality of our core markets, and the tireless efforts of our dedicated employees,” he added.
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Despite the ongoing revenue challenges, results for the first half of 2006 reflected records for both net income and earnings per share performance, at $21.1 million and $0.88 per share, respectively. These results translated into an operating return on average tangible assets of 1.42% and an operating return on average tangible equity of 20.35%. Because the merger with Blue Ball was accounted for under the purchase accounting method (now required under authoritative accounting guidance), many of the traditional metrics used to evaluate performance in a post-merger environment have undergone change. Operating return on tangible assets and tangible equity have become relevant measures of shareholder return for companies that have experienced substantial merger activity in periods after the mandatory application of purchase accounting. Community has provided an extensive reconcilement of “GAAP” to “non-GAAP” presentations to this release to assist investors in their understanding of the effect of acquisition activity on reported results. Such information is not presented as a substitute for traditional GAAP measurements, but is provided as a supplemental enhancement to improve comparability and investor understanding.
While quarterly revenue expansion from loan and deposit activity was constrained slightly, most other operating metrics in the second quarter and in the first six months of 2006 continued to demonstrate the success of Community’s merger implementation. Asset quality metrics continue to reflect historically low levels of non-performing assets. Non-interest revenues jumped 17% (annualized) as compared to the levels recorded in the first quarter of 2006, largely due to the continuing integration of non-interest products from the traditional Community and Blue Ball franchises. Operating expenses remained almost constant with the first quarter of 2006, while the efficiency ratio increased slightly to 56.18% and remained well within Community’s desired operating range.
Community experienced comparatively slower loan growth during the second quarter than in recent quarters, as average loans grew only 4% from the first quarter (annualized). At the same time, deposits rose at a more robust annualized pace of 14% over the same period. While the modest loan growth reflected the expected impact of rising rates on loan demand, a more significant component was related to competitive pricing pressures. Community has been reluctant to extend credit maturities without a rate premium that is commensurate with the incremental interest rate risk associated with maturity extension. Adherence to a strict pricing discipline has been critical in this rate environment and helped to produce a net interest margin of 3.94%, only slightly less than the 3.98% recorded in the first quarter. Throughout the first half of 2006, funding costs have risen as Community has reduced its reliance on more volatile wholesale funding sources in favor of increased deposit balances. Unfortunately, competitive pressures have also adversely impacted the cost of retail deposits as consumers seek higher returns in a rising rate environment.
This press release contains “forward looking” information as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which is based on Community’s current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of its business. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events, or results. Such statements involve potential risks and uncertainties and, accordingly, actual performance results may differ materially. Community undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward looking information, whether as a result of new, updated information, future events, or otherwise.
COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. | |
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Selected Financial Information | |
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (1) | |
| | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | June 30, | |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated summary of operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | $ | 48,938 | | $ | 27,390 | | $ | 95,827 | | $ | 53,573 | |
Interest expense | | | 21,931 | | | 12,481 | | | 41,956 | | | 23,974 | |
Net interest income | | | 27,007 | | | 14,909 | | | 53,871 | | | 29,599 | |
Provision for loan losses | | | 650 | | | 750 | | | 1,150 | | | 1,300 | |
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | | | 26,357 | | | 14,159 | | | 52,721 | | | 28,299 | |
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Non-interest income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment management and trust services | | | 1,088 | | | 531 | | | 2,101 | | | 945 | |
Service charges on deposit accounts | | | 2,855 | | | 2,028 | | | 5,386 | | | 3,821 | |
Other service charges, commissions, and fees | | | 1,903 | | | 934 | | | 3,603 | | | 1,944 | |
Investment security gains | | | 6 | | | 167 | | | 289 | | | 218 | |
Insurance premium income and commissions | | | 1,117 | | | 880 | | | 2,045 | | | 1,782 | |
Mortgage banking activities | | | 580 | | | 548 | | | 1,048 | | | 1,063 | |
Earnings on investment in life insurance | | | 675 | | | 355 | | | 1,331 | | | 754 | |
Other | | | 319 | | | 155 | | | 1,124 | | | 281 | |
Total non-interest income | | | 8,543 | | | 5,598 | | | 16,927 | | | 10,808 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-interest expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salaries and employee benefits | | | 11,251 | | | 7,436 | | | 22,669 | | | 14,729 | |
Net occupancy | | | 3,386 | | | 2,199 | | | 6,898 | | | 4,424 | |
Merger, conversion and restructuring expenses | | | --- | | | 7,957 | | | --- | | | 7,957 | |
Marketing expense | | | 265 | | | 466 | | | 840 | | | 911 | |
Telecommunications expense | | | 566 | | | 257 | | | 1,117 | | | 561 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 702 | | | 43 | | | 1,356 | | | 87 | |
Other | | | 4,528 | | | 2,788 | | | 8,351 | | | 5,136 | |
Total non-interest expenses | | | 20,698 | | | 21,146 | | | 41,231 | | | 33,805 | |
Income before income taxes | | | 14,202 | | | (1,389 | ) | | 28,417 | | | 5,302 | |
Income taxes | | | 3,698 | | | (250 | ) | | 7,344 | | | 954 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 10,504 | | $ | (1,139 | ) | $ | 21,073 | | $ | 4,348 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loan charge-offs | | $ | 172 | | $ | 121 | | $ | 327 | | $ | 338 | |
Net interest margin (FTE) | | | 3.94 | % | | 3.46 | % | | 3.96 | % | | 3.51 | % |
Efficiency ratio (2) | | | 56.18 | % | | 58.42 | % | | 56.07 | % | | 58.69 | % |
Return on average assets | | | 1.24 | % | | (0.22 | )% | | 1.25 | % | | 0.44 | % |
Return on average stockholders’ equity | | | 8.95 | % | | (2.97 | )% | | 8.95 | % | | 5.73 | % |
Net operating (tangible) income (3) | | $ | 10,960 | | $ | 4,068 | | $ | 21,954 | | $ | 9,591 | |
Operating return on average tangible assets (3)(4) | | | 1.40 | % | | 0.80 | % | | 1.42 | % | | 0.97 | % |
Operating return on average tangible equity (3)(4) | | | 20.59 | % | | 10.96 | % | | 20.35 | % | | 13.07 | % |
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Consolidated per share data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.88 | | $ | 0.34 | |
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Diluted earnings per share | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.88 | | $ | 0.33 | |
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Book value at end of period | | $ | 19.86 | | $ | 11.82 | | $ | 19.86 | | $ | 11.82 | |
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Tangible book value at end of period (4) | | $ | 8.91 | | $ | 11.43 | | $ | 8.91 | | $ | 11.43 | |
COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Selected Financial Information
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) (1)
Consolidated balance sheet data:
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | June 30, | |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Average total loans | | $ | 2,312,900 | | $ | 1,265,479 | | $ | 2,301,503 | | $ | 1,248,451 | |
Average earning assets | | | 2,944,353 | | | 1,928,834 | | | 2,941,569 | | | 1,899,498 | |
Average assets | | | 3,391,908 | | | 2,041,618 | | | 3,387,583 | | | 2,007,704 | |
Average tangible assets (4) | | | 3,132,905 | | | 2,036,630 | | | 3,128,736 | | | 2,002,695 | |
Average deposits | | | 2,381,141 | | | 1,382,503 | | | 2,341,738 | | | 1,351,503 | |
Average stockholders’ equity | | | 470,695 | | | 153,894 | | | 474,580 | | | 152,996 | |
Average tangible equity (4) | | | 213,528 | | | 148,906 | | | 217,518 | | | 147,987 | |
Average diluted shares outstanding | | | 23,858,000 | | | 13,240,000 | | | 24,028,000 | | | 13,216,000 | |
| | | | | | | | 6/30/2006 | |
| | | | | | | | vs. | |
| | June 30, | | December 31, | | June 30, | | 6/30/2005 | |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2005 | | % Change | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Assets | | $ | 3,385,599 | | $ | 3,332,430 | | $ | 1,982,732 | | | 71 | % |
Total loans | | | 2,344,677 | | | 2,234,497 | | | 1,284,688 | | | 83 | % |
Deposits | | | 2,406,551 | | | 2,294,367 | | | 1,382,866 | | | 74 | % |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 465,760 | | | 476,673 | | | 153,582 | | | 203 | % |
Diluted shares outstanding | | | 23,658,000 | | | 24,360,000 | | | 13,255,000 | | | 79 | % |
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Non-accrual loans | | $ | 11,492 | | $ | 9,060 | | $ | 6,896 | | | 67 | % |
Loans renegotiated with borrowers | | | 108 | | | --- | | | --- | | | --- | |
Foreclosed real estate | | | 108 | | | 1,447 | | | 2,444 | | | (96 | )% |
Total non-performing assets | | | 11,708 | | | 10,507 | | | 9,340 | | | 25 | % |
Accruing loans 90 days past due | | | 621 | | | 22 | | | --- | | | --- | |
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Total risk elements | | $ | 12,329 | | $ | 10,529 | | $ | 9,340 | | | 32 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for loan losses | | $ | 23,788 | | $ | 22,965 | | $ | 15,383 | | | 55 | % |
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Asset quality ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for loan losses to total loans | | | 1.01 | % | | 1.03 | % | | 1.20 | % | | | |
Allowance for loan losses to non-accrual loans | | | 207 | % | | 253 | % | | 223 | % | | | |
Non-accrual loans to total loans | | | 0.49 | % | | 0.41 | % | | 0.54 | % | | | |
Non-performing assets to total assets | | | 0.35 | % | | 0.32 | % | | 0.47 | % | | | |
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(1) Per share data reflect stock splits and stock dividends. |
(2) The efficiency ratio does not include net securities transactions. |
(3) Net operating (tangible) income excludes amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets, net of applicable income tax effects. A reconciliation of net income and net operating (tangible) income appears on page 5. |
(4) The difference between total assets and total tangible assets, and stockholders’ equity and tangible stockholders’ equity, represents goodwill and core deposit and other intangibles net of applicable deferred tax balances. A reconciliation of these balances appears on page 5. |
COMMUNITY BANKS, INC.
Selected Financial Information
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures (1):
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | June 30, | |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Income statement data: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 10,504 | | $ | (1,139 | ) | $ | 21,073 | | $ | 4,348 | |
Amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets (1) | | | 456 | | | 35 | | | 881 | | | 71 | |
Merger, conversion and restructuring expenses (1) | | | --- | | | 5,172 | | | --- | | | 5,172 | |
Net operating (tangible) income | | $ | 10,960 | | $ | 4,068 | | $ | 21,954 | | $ | 9,591 | |
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Balance sheet data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average assets | | $ | 3,391,908 | | $ | 2,041,618 | | $ | 3,387,583 | | $ | 2,007,704 | |
Goodwill | | | (245,749 | ) | | (3,570 | ) | | (245,265 | ) | | (3,570 | ) |
Core deposit and other intangible assets | | | (13,254 | ) | | (1,418 | ) | | (13,582 | ) | | (1,439 | ) |
Deferred taxes | | | --- | | | --- | | | --- | | | --- | |
Average tangible assets | | $ | 3,132,905 | | $ | 2,036,630 | | $ | 3,128,736 | | $ | 2,002,695 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating return on average tangible assets | | | 1.40 | % | | 0.80 | % | | 1.42 | % | | 0.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average equity | | $ | 470,695 | | $ | 153,894 | | $ | 474,580 | | $ | 152,996 | |
Goodwill | | | (245,749 | ) | | (3,570 | ) | | (245,265 | ) | | (3,570 | ) |
Core deposit and other intangible assets | | | (13,254 | ) | | (1,418 | ) | | (13,582 | ) | | (1,439 | ) |
Deferred taxes | | | 1,836 | | | --- | | | 1,785 | | | --- | |
Average tangible equity | | $ | 213,528 | | $ | 148,906 | | $ | 217,518 | | $ | 147,987 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating return on average tangible equity | | | 20.59 | % | | 10.96 | % | | 20.35 | % | | 13.07 | % |
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At end of quarter: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,385,599 | | $ | 1,982,732 | | $ | 3,385,599 | | $ | 1,982,732 | |
Goodwill | | | (245,056 | ) | | (3,570 | ) | | (245,056 | ) | | (3,570 | ) |
Core deposit and other intangible assets | | | (13,550 | ) | | (1,394 | ) | | (13,550 | ) | | (1,394 | ) |
Deferred taxes | | | --- | | | --- | | | --- | | | --- | |
Total tangible assets | | $ | 3,126,993 | | $ | 1,977,768 | | $ | 3,126,993 | | $ | 1,977,768 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equity | | $ | 465,760 | | $ | 153,582 | | $ | 465,760 | | $ | 153,582 | |
Goodwill | | | (245,056 | ) | | (3,570 | ) | | (245,056 | ) | | (3,570 | ) |
Core deposit and other intangible assets | | | (13,550 | ) | | (1,394 | ) | | (13,550 | ) | | (1,394 | ) |
Deferred taxes | | | 1,800 | | | --- | | | 1,800 | | | --- | |
Total tangible equity | | $ | 208,954 | | $ | 148,618 | | $ | 208,954 | | $ | 148,618 | |
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Tangible book value at end of period | | $ | 8.91 | | $ | 11.43 | | $ | 8.91 | | $ | 11.43 | |
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(1) Net of related tax effect | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COMMUNITY BANKS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES | |
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KEY RATIOS (1) | |
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| | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | Second | | First | | Fourth | | Third | | Second | | | |
| | Quarter | | Quarter | | Quarter | | Quarter | | Quarter | | Annual | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | 0.45 | | $ | 0.42 | | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 1.35 | |
Tangible operating earnings per share (2) | | $ | 0.46 | | $ | 0.45 | | $ | 0.47 | | $ | 0.44 | | $ | 0.31 | | $ | 1.69 | |
Return on average assets | | | 1.24 | % | | 1.27 | % | | 1.31 | % | | 1.24 | % | | (0.22 | )% | | 0.96 | % |
Return on average equity | | | 8.95 | % | | 8.96 | % | | 9.14 | % | | 8.52 | % | | (2.97 | )% | | 8.04 | % |
Operating return on average tangible assets (3) | | | 1.40 | % | | 1.43 | % | | 1.50 | % | | 1.43 | % | | 0.80 | % | | 1.27 | % |
Operating return on average tangible equity (3) | | | 20.59 | % | | 20.12 | % | | 20.83 | % | | 19.14 | % | | 10.96 | % | | 17.09 | % |
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Net interest margin | | | 3.94 | % | | 3.98 | % | | 3.96 | % | | 3.89 | % | | 3.46 | % | | 3.76 | % |
Non-interest income/revenues (FTE excluding security gains) | | | 22.76 | % | | 21.93 | % | | 21.34 | % | | 21.74 | % | | 24.60 | % | | 22.57 | % |
Provision for loan losses/average loans (annualized) | | | 0.11 | % | | 0.09 | % | | 0.11 | % | | 0.07 | % | | 0.24 | % | | 0.13 | % |
Efficiency ratio (4) | | | 56.18 | % | | 55.96 | % | | 55.56 | % | | 57.86 | % | | 58.42 | % | | 57.51 | % |
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Non-performing assets to period-end loans | | | 0.50 | % | | 0.52 | % | | 0.47 | % | | 0.60 | % | | 0.73 | % | | | |
90 day past due loans to period-end loans | | | 0.03 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | | |
Total risk elements to period-end loans | | | 0.53 | % | | 0.52 | % | | 0.47 | % | | 0.60 | % | | 0.73 | % | | | |
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Allowance for loan losses to loans | | | 1.01 | % | | 1.02 | % | | 1.03 | % | | 1.05 | % | | 1.20 | % | | 1.03 | % |
Allowance for loan losses to | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
non-accrual loans | | | 207 | % | | 231 | % | | 253 | % | | 212 | % | | 223 | % | | 253 | % |
Net charge-offs/average loans (annualized) | | | 0.03 | % | | 0.03 | % | | 0.07 | % | | 0.01 | % | | 0.04 | % | | 0.05 | % |
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Equity to assets | | | 13.76 | % | | 13.90 | % | | 14.30 | % | | 14.61 | % | | 7.75 | % | | 14.30 | % |
Tangible equity to assets (3) | | | 6.68 | % | | 6.93 | % | | 7.14 | % | | 7.41 | % | | 7.51 | % | | 7.14 | % |
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(1) Per share data reflect stock splits and stock dividends. |
(2) Net tangible operating income excludes amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets, and merger, conversion and restructuring expenses, net of applicable income tax effects. A reconciliation of net income and net tangible operating income appears on page 19. |
(3) The difference between total assets and total tangible assets, and stockholders’ equity and tangible stockholders’ equity, represents goodwill and core deposit and other intangibles net of applicable deferred tax balances. A reconciliation of these balances appears on page 19. |
(4) The efficiency ratio does not include merger, conversion and restructuring expenses or net securities transactions. |