Donald L. Stacy, Chief Financial Officer stated, “Our allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.01% at September 30, 2020, compared to 0.70% at September 30, 2019. During the quarter, asset quality was negatively affected by one large legacy credit of $2.7 million in the Central Ohio market, which was charged-off during the quarter. The issue is isolated to this borrower and was previously disclosed in early 2019. It is not indicative of a trend in the market, portfolio or an issue in underwriting.”
“Overall asset quality remains positive especially given the economic challenges and uncertainty facing many of our communities. Loans in deferral status declined 70% from $214.8 million at June 30, 2020, to $63.5 million at September 30, 2020. We are closely monitoring our loan portfolio, especially loans within at-risk categories. At September 30, 2020, no restaurant customers were seeking additional deferrals, while only half of the loans in second deferral status were within the hospitality segment. All hotel customers are long-standing customers, operate brand name properties in compelling markets, and our hotel portfolio has an average loan-to-value of 53%. Overall, the quality of our retail portfolio remains solid and appears to not be significantly impacted by the current difficult economic environment. While our exposure to the hotel and retail sectors will impact near-term asset quality, we are comfortable with our current hotel and retail performance. We are doing everything we can to support all our customers and communities impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.”
Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
At the end of the 2020 third quarter, shareholders’ equity increased 4.5% to $142.1 million compared to $135.9 million at September 30, 2019. On a per share basis, shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2020, was $22.27 compared to $21.16 at the same period last year.
Tangible stockholders’ equity(1) increased 5.5% to $125.2 million for the 2020 third quarter, compared to $118.7 million at September 30, 2019. On a per-share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity(1) was $19.63 at September 30, 2020, compared to $18.48 at September 30, 2019.
For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the Company declared cash dividends of $0.45 per share, compared to $0.42 per share for the same period last year.
At September 30, 2020, the Company had an equity to assets leverage ratio of 10.41%, compared to 10.61% at September 30, 2019.
Asset Quality
The provision for loan losses for the 2020 third quarter was $4.0 million versus $80,000 for the same period last year. Most of the increased provision is the result of increases to the economic conditions qualitative factors and higher charge-off during the quarter. Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2020, were $14.1 million, compared to $10.1 million at September 30, 2019.
Net charge-offs for the 2020 third quarter were $2.9 million, or 1.01% of average loans, annualized, compared to $0.4 million, or 0.15% of average loans, annualized at September 30, 2019. This was primarily the result of resolving a large problem commercial loan that was transferred to other real estate during the quarter. Year-to-date net charge-offs were $3.1 million, or 0.39% of average loans, annualized compared to $0.9 million, or 0.11% of average loans, annualized for the same period last year.
The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2020, stood at $11.4 million, or 1.01% of total loans, compared to $7.0 million, or 0.70% of total loans at September 30, 2019.
COVID-19 Update
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and as a qualified SBA lender, we were automatically authorized to originate PPP loans. As of September 30, 2020, we approved 1,414 applications for up to $143.8 million of loans under the PPP.