April 16, 2010
Park National Corporation reports first quarter 2010 financial
results and declares quarterly cash dividend
NEWARK, Ohio — Park National Corporation (Park) (NYSE Amex: PRK) today reported operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (first quarter). Also today, Park’s board of directors approved a $0.94 per common share quarterly cash dividend, payable on June 10, 2010 to common shareholders of record as of May 26, 2010.
Net income for the first quarter of 2010 was $20.8 million, compared to $21.4 million for the same period in 2009. Net income per diluted common share was $1.30, a 9 percent decline from the $1.43 per diluted common share reported in the first quarter of 2009. First quarter 2010 net income for Park's Ohio-based operations was $28.2 million, compared to $25.4 million in the first quarter of 2009.
“We are pleased that the most severe recession since World War II seems to be behind us, with improving economic conditions in the markets our community banks serve. While our net income is not quite as strong as a year ago, we continue to perform very favorably compared to our industry and peers,” said Park Chairman C. Daniel DeLawder.
“Continued successful performance in Ohio helps us maintain our strong level of dividends,” he said. “Great employees and strong liquidity allow us to offer financial services and loans in a consistent and prudent manner, in good times as well as challenging times.”
Total non-performing loans (including loans past due 90 days and still accruing) were $242.4 million at March 31, 2010, a 2.4 percent decline from the $248.5 million in non-performing loans at December 31, 2009.
Park's loan loss provision for the first quarter of 2010 was $16.6 million, compared to $12.3 million for the same period in 2009. Of the $16.6 million loan loss provision recorded in the first quarter of 2010, $11.3 million was recorded at Vision Bank, with the remaining $5.3 million recorded within Park's Ohio-based operations. The allowance for loan losses increased by $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2010, ending the period at $119.7 million, or 2.60 percent of period-end loans.
Net loan charge-offs for the first quarter of 2010 were $13.6 million, or an annualized 1.19 percent of average loans outstanding. Net loan charge-offs in the first quarter of 2009 were $11.1 million, or 0.99 percent of average loans.
During the 2010 first quarter, Park also completed the sale of approximately $201 million of investment securities, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $8.3 million.
Headquartered in Newark, Ohio, Park National Corporation has $7.2 billion in total assets (as of March 31, 2010). Park consists of 13 community bank divisions and two specialty finance companies. Park’s Ohio-based banking operations are conducted through Park subsidiary The Park National Bank and its divisions which include Fairfield National Bank Division, Richland Bank Division, Century National Bank Division, First-Knox National Bank Division, Farmers & Savings Bank Division, United Bank Division, Second National Bank Division, Security National Bank Division, Unity National Bank Division and The Park National Bank of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky Division. Park’s other banking subsidiary is Vision Bank (headquartered in Panama City, Florida), and its Vision Bank Division (of Gulf Shores, Alabama). Park also includes Scope Leasing, Inc. (d.b.a. Scope Aircraft Finance) and Guardian Finance Company.
Complete financial tables are included below.
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Media Contacts: Bethany Lewis, Communications Specialist, 740.349.0421 or John Kozak, Chief Financial Officer, 740.349.3792
Park National Corporation
50 N. Third Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
www.parknationalcorp.com
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation: deterioration in the asset value of Park’s loan portfolio may be worse than expected; Park’s ability to execute its business plan successfully and within the expected timeframe; general economic and financial market conditions, and weakening in the economy, specifically, the real estate market and credit market, either national or in the states in which Park and its subsidiaries do business, may be worse than expected which could decrease the demand for loan, deposit and other financial services and increase loan delinquencies and defaults; changes in market rates and prices may adversely impact the value of securities, loans, deposits and other financial instruments and the interest rate sensitivity of our consolidated balance sheet; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits; our liquidity requirements could be adversely affected by changes in our assets and liabilities; competitive factors among financial institutions increase significantly, including product and pricing pressures and our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified bank professionals; the nature, timing and effect of changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the respective businesses of Park and its subsidiaries, including changes in laws and regulations concerning taxes, accounting, banking, securities and other aspects of the financial services industry; the effect of fiscal and governmental policies of the United States federal government; demand for loans in the respective market areas served by Park and its subsidiaries, and other risk factors relating to the banking industry as detailed from time to time in Park’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Part I of Park’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Park does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.
Park National Corporation
50 N. Third Street, Newark, Ohio 43055
www.parknationalcorp.com