Branch Rationalization Plan
In April 2021, the Company made plans to close or consolidate six branches during the third quarter of 2021. This branch rationalization plan is expected to result in approximately $0.8 million of pre-tax nonrecurring costs, primarily related to asset impairment charges and severance payments. When fully realized, the Company estimates annual cost savings, net of associated revenue impacts, related to the branch rationalization plan to be approximately $1.1 million.
Mr. Drake commented, “We conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the appropriate size of our branch network given the increased usage of our online and mobile banking services. The branch rationalization plan will better position our bank for the evolving way that customers access banking services and will drive improved operating efficiencies. We plan to continue investing in technology to offer our customers a superior experience through our digital banking platform, while maintaining an appropriately sized branch network that will ensure that we continue to offer convenient in-person banking services and have a strong presence in our communities.”
Loan Portfolio
Total loans outstanding, before allowance for loan losses, were $2.27 billion at March 31, 2021, compared with $2.25 billion at December 31, 2020 and $2.13 billion at March 31, 2020. The $23.7 million increase in loans from December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to an increase in PPP loans, as originations of second draw PPP loans exceeded the payoffs and paydowns from PPP loan forgiveness. The $52.8 million decrease in total loans outstanding, net of PPP loans, from March 31, 2020 was primarily due to a $40.8 million reduction in balances on existing lines of credit.
Deposits
Total deposits were $3.36 billion at March 31, 2021, compared with $3.13 billion at December 31, 2020 and $2.73 billion at March 31, 2020. The $225.4 million increase in total deposits from December 31, 2020 was primarily due to second draw PPP loan proceeds received by commercial customers and federal economic stimulus payments received by retail customers.
Asset Quality
Nonperforming loans totaled $9.1 million, or 0.40% of total loans, at March 31, 2021, compared with $10.0 million, or 0.44% of total loans, at December 31, 2020, and $15.4 million, or 0.72% of total loans, at March 31, 2020. The decrease in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the pay down, pay off, or return to accrual status of several smaller loans. The $6.3 million reduction in nonperforming loans from March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to the return to accrual status of one agriculture credit that totaled $4.8 million at March 31, 2020.
The Company recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to a provision for loan losses of $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The negative provision was primarily due to changes to qualitative factors reflecting an improved economic environment and improved asset quality metrics, resulting in a $1.8 million decrease in required reserve; a decrease in specific reserves on loans individually evaluated for impairment, resulting in a $1.3 million decrease in required reserves; and a $0.3 million net recovery during the quarter.
Net recoveries for the first quarter of 2021 were $0.3 million, or (0.06)% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to net charge-offs of $0.2 million, or 0.04% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the fourth quarter of 2020, and net charge-offs of $0.6 million, or 0.11% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2020.
The Company’s allowance for loan losses was 1.27% of total loans and 315.48% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2021, compared with 1.42% of total loans and 319.66% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2020.