Exhibit 99.1
MASSBANK CORP. | April 23, 2004 | |
Reading, MA |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MASSBANK CORP. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2004 EARNINGS OF
$1.95 MILLION OR $0.43 PER SHARE
AND DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND
MASSBANK Corp. (NASDAQ – MASB), the Holding Company for MASSBANK, today reported net income of $1,949,000 or $0.43 in diluted earnings per share for the first quarter 2004, compared with net income of $1,945,000 or $0.42 in diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2003. Basic earnings per share in the recent quarter were $0.44 per share compared to $0.43 per share in the first quarter of last year.
The Company’s earnings per share (“EPS”) performance in the recent quarter was positively affected by the reduced number of average common shares outstanding as a result of the Company’s repurchase of 182,751 shares of its common stock in the last twelve months pursuant to its stock repurchase program.
The Company’s earnings in the recent quarter compared to the same quarter of 2003 reflect a decrease in net interest income of $507,000. This is offset by a negative loan loss provision of $62,000 due to the low level of problem loans and a reduction in the size of the bank’s loan portfolio, and an increase in non-interest income of $555,000 due primarily to higher securities gains. Also impacting earnings for the first quarter 2004 is an increase of $111,000 in non-interest expense.
The decline in net interest income was attributable to a low interest rate environment. With interest rates generally at over forty-year lows, the interest income from the bank’s loans and mortgage-backed securities declined due to prepayment activity that reduced the bank’s portfolios of these higher yielding assets. The portfolio of mortgage-backed securities declined $58 million, from $159 million at March 31, 2003 to $101 million at March 31, 2004 while the loan portfolio declined $60 million, from $307 million at March 31, 2003 to $247 million at March 31,2004. The cash flow from this prepayment activity was invested at lower yields but for shorter terms in anticipation of higher-rate opportunities in the future.
Further reductions in interest rates would likely have a negative impact on the Company’s future net interest income and net interest margin. Conversely, rising interest rates would likely have a positive affect on the Company’s future net interest income and net interest margin.
The Company’s total assets decreased $10.1 million to $1.006 billion at March 31, 2004 from $1.016 billion at March 31, 2003. Deposits decreased $24.8 million or 2.8% year-over-year from $895.3 million at March 31, 2003 to $870.5 million at March 31, 2004. Stockholders’ equity was $113.2 million at March 31, 2004, representing a book value of $25.56 per share. This compares to $114.3 million at March 31, 2003 representing a book value of $25.17 per share.
April 23, 2004
Page Two
The Company’s non-accrual loans remain low totaling $205,000 at March 31, 2004 representing 0.08% of total loans. This compares to $448,000 representing 0.15% of total loans at March 31, 2003. At March 31, 2004 the Bank’s allowance for loan losses totaled $1.491 million representing 727% of non-accrual loans compared to $2.262 million representing 505% of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2003. In addition, the Bank’s allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures totaled $626,000 at March 31, 2004 compared to $391,000 a year earlier. This is intended to protect the bank against loan commitments made that have not yet been drawn down.
MASSBANK Corp. is the holding company for MASSBANK, a Massachusetts chartered savings bank. The Bank operates fifteen banking offices in Reading, Chelmsford, Dracut, Everett, Lowell, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Westford and Wilmington, providing a variety of deposit, lending and trust services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dividend Declaration
MASSBANK Corp. today announced a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.25 per share. This, the Company’s seventy-first consecutive dividend, will be payable on May 20, 2004 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2004.
Stock Repurchase Program
During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company continued the repurchase of its common stock by acquiring 5,000 shares. As of March 31, 2004 there were 95,000 shares available for repurchase in the current program.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MASSBANK Corp. held on April 20, 2004 stockholders voted affirmatively to elect Mathias B. Bedell, Alexander S. Costello and Stephen E. Marshall to serve until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to approve the MASSBANK Corp. 2004 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
Cautionary Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking information, including information concerning the Company’s expectations of future business prospects. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results or performance to be materially different from the results and performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s belief, expectations or intentions concerning the Company’s future performance, the financial outlook of the markets it serves and the performance and activities of its competitors. These statements reflect the Company’s current views. They are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including unexpected fluctuations in market interest rates, unexpected fluctuations in the markets for equities, bonds, federal funds and other financial instruments, an increase in the level of non-performing assets, an increase in competitive pricing pressures within the Company’s market, adverse legislative or regulatory developments, adverse impacts resulting from the continuing war on terrorism, an increase in other employee-related costs, the impact of deflation or inflation, and other factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2003.
For further information contact Reginald E. Cormier, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and CFO at (781) 942-8192.
April 23, 2004
Page Three
MASSBANK CORP.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($ in thousands except share data)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||
For the Period Ended | ||||||||
Total interest and dividend income | $ | 8,345 | $ | 10,361 | ||||
Total interest expense | 3,104 | 4,613 | ||||||
Net interest income | 5,241 | 5,748 | ||||||
Provision for loan losses | (62 | ) | — | |||||
Gains on securities, net | 574 | 40 | ||||||
Other non-interest income | 287 | 266 | ||||||
Non-interest expense | 3,160 | 3,049 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 1,055 | 1,060 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 1,949 | $ | 1,945 | ||||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||
Basic | 4,427,395 | 4,557,308 | ||||||
Diluted | 4,545,237 | 4,636,652 | ||||||
Per Common Share | ||||||||
Earnings: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.43 | ||||
Diluted | 0.43 | 0.42 | ||||||
Cash dividends paid | 0.25 | 0.23 | ||||||
Book value (period end) | 25.56 | 25.17 | ||||||
Ratios (1) | ||||||||
Return on average assets | 0.79 | % | 0.77 | % | ||||
Return on average equity | 6.98 | 6.73 | ||||||
Interest rate spread | 1.94 | 2.09 | ||||||
Net interest margin | 2.17 | 2.33 | ||||||
Total equity to assets (period end) | 11.25 | 11.24 | ||||||
At March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||
At Period End | ||||||||
Assets | $ | 1,006,221 | $ | 1,016,309 | ||||
Deposits | 870,452 | 895,274 | ||||||
Loans | 246,546 | 306,858 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 113,168 | 114,270 | ||||||
Common shares outstanding | 4,428,175 | 4,539,301 | ||||||
Asset Quality | ||||||||
Non-accrual loans | $ | 205 | $ | 448 | ||||
Real estate acquired through foreclosure | — | — | ||||||
Total non-performing assets | $ | 205 | $ | 448 | ||||
Allowance for loan losses (2) | $ | 1,491 | $ | 2,262 | ||||
Non-accrual loans to total loans | 0.08 | % | 0.15 | % | ||||
Non-performing assets to total assets | 0.02 | % | 0.04 | % | ||||
Allowance for loan losses as a % of non-accrual loans | 727.3 | % | 504.9 | % | ||||
Allowance for loan losses as a % of non-performing assets | 727.3 | % | 504.9 | % |
(1) | Ratios are presented on an annualized basis with the exception of equity to assets. |
(2) | Amount reported for 2003 has been reclassified to adjust for allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures (shown separately on the balance sheet) to facilitate comparison with the current fiscal year. |
April 23, 2004
Page Four
MASSBANK CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
($ in thousands except share data)
At March 31, 2004 | At March 31, 2003 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and due from banks | $ | 7,184 | $ | 9,798 | ||||
Interest-bearing deposits in banks | 6,888 | 5,482 | ||||||
Federal funds sold | 213,055 | 214,328 | ||||||
Short-term investments | 24,573 | 27,157 | ||||||
Debt securities available for sale | 396,479 | 325,808 | ||||||
Equity securities available for sale | 10,694 | 10,937 | ||||||
Trading securities | 70,505 | 94,506 | ||||||
Loans: | ||||||||
Mortgage loans | 235,762 | 292,467 | ||||||
Other loans | 10,784 | 14,391 | ||||||
Total loans | 246,546 | 306,858 | ||||||
Allowance for loan losses | (1,491 | ) | (2,262 | ) | ||||
Net loans | 245,055 | 304,596 | ||||||
Premises and equipment | 6,770 | 7,063 | ||||||
Accrued interest receivable | 4,137 | 3,721 | ||||||
Goodwill | 1,090 | 1,090 | ||||||
Other assets | 19,791 | 11,823 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,006,221 | $ | 1,016,309 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity: | ||||||||
Deposits: | ||||||||
Demand and NOW | $ | 83,588 | $ | 82,861 | ||||
Savings | 597,973 | 584,707 | ||||||
Time certificates of deposit | 188,891 | 227,706 | ||||||
Total deposits | 870,452 | 895,274 | ||||||
Escrow deposits of borrowers | 1,117 | 1,363 | ||||||
Accrued and deferred income taxes | 1,936 | 2,272 | ||||||
Allowance for loan losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures | 626 | 391 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 18,922 | 2,739 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 893,053 | 902,039 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized, none issued | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 7,714,055 and 7,642,430 shares issued, respectively | 7,714 | 7,642 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 54,865 | 53,322 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 99,880 | 96,138 | ||||||
162,459 | 157,102 | |||||||
Treasury stock at cost 3,285,880 and 3,103,129 shares, respectively | (54,372 | ) | (48,930 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income: | ||||||||
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of tax effect | 5,081 | 6,098 | ||||||
Shares held in rabbi trust at cost 26,200 and 24,700 shares, respectively | (554 | ) | (497 | ) | ||||
Deferred compensation obligation | 554 | 497 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 113,168 | 114,270 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,006,221 | $ | 1,016,309 | ||||
April 23, 2004
Page Five
MASSBANK CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
($ in thousands except share data)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2004 | March 31, 2003 | |||||||
Interest and dividend income: | ||||||||
Mortgage loans | $ | 3,582 | $ | 4,931 | ||||
Other loans | 169 | 239 | ||||||
Securities available for sale: | ||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 1,485 | 2,690 | ||||||
Other securities | 2,261 | 1,493 | ||||||
Trading securities | 285 | 263 | ||||||
Federal funds sold | 486 | 621 | ||||||
Other investments | 77 | 124 | ||||||
Total interest and dividend income | 8,345 | 10,361 | ||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||
Deposits | 3,104 | 4,613 | ||||||
Total interest expense | 3,104 | 4,613 | ||||||
Net interest income | 5,241 | 5,748 | ||||||
Provision for loan losses | (62 | ) | — | |||||
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 5,303 | 5,748 | ||||||
Non-interest income: | ||||||||
Deposit account service fees | 121 | 137 | ||||||
Gains on securities available for sale, net | 364 | 118 | ||||||
Gains (losses) on trading securities, net | 210 | (78 | ) | |||||
Other | 166 | 129 | ||||||
Total non-interest income | 861 | 306 | ||||||
Non-interest expense: | ||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 1,897 | 1,842 | ||||||
Occupancy and equipment | 598 | 573 | ||||||
Data processing | 137 | 144 | ||||||
Professional services | 137 | 111 | ||||||
Advertising and marketing | 17 | 25 | ||||||
Deposit Insurance | 41 | 45 | ||||||
Other | 333 | 309 | ||||||
Total non-interest expense | 3,160 | 3,049 | ||||||
Income before income taxes | 3,004 | 3,005 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 1,055 | 1,060 | ||||||
Net income | $ | 1,949 | $ | 1,945 | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 4,427,395 | 4,557,308 | ||||||
Diluted | 4,545,237 | 4,636,652 | ||||||
Earnings per share (in dollars): | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.43 | ||||
Diluted | 0.43 | 0.42 |